ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Conjunctions and Sentence Logic in Phrase-Based Sentence Completions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

Although Evelyn wanted to use plastic to construct the project, Julia did not __________.

Possible Answers:

have any desire to get a passing grade

think such a material would deteriorate too quickly

think they needed a third person's help

believe that it was more durable than metal 

think wood was a better choice

Correct answer:

believe that it was more durable than metal 

Explanation:

For this sentence, finding the correct answer depends on understanding the word "although." This term is a conjunction that means even though, implying that Julia had a certain opinion in spite of Evelyn's preference for plastic. Because of this, we know that Julia must not favor the use of plastic for the project. However, be careful not to miss the final words "did not"! We're looking for something that Julia does not believe. Our answer is clear—Julia most likely would not agree with the idea that plastic was "more durable than metal."

Example Question #32 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

With their __________ at Friday's football game, the Fighting Hawks remained invincible.

Possible Answers:

devastating loss

unexpected tie

mediocre performance

show of poor sportsmanship

twenty-point victory

Correct answer:

twenty-point victory

Explanation:

Proper completion of this sentence relies on understanding the meaning of a single word: "invincible." An "invincible" team is unbeatable or indestructible; in other words, they must always win their games, and likely decisively. Of the given choices, a "twenty-point victory" is the only result such a team would have achieved. You may have been tempted by another choice, "mediocre performance," if you did not know the meaning of "mediocre"! However, that adjective means okay or average, and therefore does not fit with the extremely good result we would expect here.

Example Question #33 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Even when Rebecca is exhausted, she _________ because she knows that her mother needs a helping hand.

Possible Answers:

puts off work until the next day

remembers to brush her teeth

tracks dirt into the living room

still helps her mother with the house chores

always forgets to take the dog for a walk

Correct answer:

still helps her mother with the house chores

Explanation:

Given that the second part of the blank describes the fact that Rebecca's mother needs a helping hand, it is logical that the blank preceding it should relate to Rebecca's capacity to help her mother. The only phrase that relates to this is the fact that Rebecca helps with the house chores, which is work that her mother might otherwise have to do alone.

Example Question #34 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Alicia speaks to her friends ___________ that can often make them feel bad and not want to be around her.

Possible Answers:

about happy topics

with a puzzled expression 

about their favorite topics

in a harsh tone of voice

with a certain excitement

Correct answer:

in a harsh tone of voice

Explanation:

The sentence tells us that Alicia speaks to her friends in a way that makes them feel bad. Thus, the blank should be occupied by a phrase expressing something negative. The phrase that accomplishes this best is "in a harsh tone of voice," which is the correct answer. 

Example Question #35 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Marcy was feeling very skeptical of her new school, afraid that she wouldn't be able to make new friends or __________

Possible Answers:

find her way around town

have a fun backyard

get along with new neighbors

be liked by the teachers. 

like her new house

Correct answer:

be liked by the teachers. 

Explanation:

Given that the beginning of the sentence talks about Marcy being skeptical about school, the blank should also relate to school. The only answer choices that relates to school is "be liked by the teachers," which is the correct answer. 

Example Question #36 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The puppy became __________ when separated from his owner, crying through the night.

Possible Answers:

very at ease

curious and playful

ready for a nap

extremely anxious

hungry for treats

Correct answer:

extremely anxious

Explanation:

Given that the puppy was crying all through the night when separated from his owner, the best answer choice would be one that reflects how distressed the puppy was. The best answer choice for capturing this sentiment is "extremely anxious."

Example Question #37 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The professor hates it when students are late, as he sees their tardiness as __________.

Possible Answers:

a symptom of a disease

extremely tragic

a sign of disrespect

confirming how much they enjoy his class

disgusting behavior

Correct answer:

a sign of disrespect

Explanation:

When students enter a classroom late, a professor is most likely to see their tardiness as offensive because it reveals a lack of respect. Therefore, the best answer is "a sign of disrespect." A tempting answer choice is "disgusting behavior," but this is too extreme and therefore not correct.

Example Question #38 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Roxana always makes plans at the last minute, and as a result, it is difficult to spend time with her unless you are willing to be ___________.

Possible Answers:

uninterested in your own dreams

unemotional about her behavior

annoyed with her for forgetting about you

flexible enough to accommodate her

happy to see her

Correct answer:

flexible enough to accommodate her

Explanation:

If someone makes plans at the last minute, that means it is on the other person to see if they can adapt to that person's plans. Thus, the best answer would be "flexible enough to accommodate her."

Example Question #39 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Ralph built his house _________; a year went by and he had only succeeded in constructing the porch.

Possible Answers:

by following the steps in a book

with passion and enthusiasm

at a turtle’s pace

out of lumber from a local lumber mill

with help from his friends

Correct answer:

at a turtle’s pace

Explanation:

Given that Ralph had only built his porch after a year, he was not building his house very quickly. Thus, the correct answer is "at a turtle’s pace." This is the only answer choice the reflects the slow speed at which Ralph was building his house.

Example Question #40 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The politician’s niece bought whatever she wanted, _________ and could afford to support her spending habits.

Possible Answers:

even though she went into debt

because she was very poor

as her family was very wealthy

therefore she was very frugal

despite the fact that she was rich

Correct answer:

as her family was very wealthy

Explanation:

The best answer choice should be a phrase that describes how the niece is able to buy whatever she wants. Therefore, the best answer choice is "as her family was very wealthy."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors