All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #95 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He had completely forgotten to prepare for the speech so when he got up on stage he had to __________.
heckle
insulate
improvise
jeer
speculate
improvise
You are told that the subject is not prepared for his speech. So, the correct answer should refer to a verb that means to perform something without preparation. The correct answer is therefore "improvise." To "improvise" means to do something without having prepared, to make something up on the spot. Additionally, "insulate" means wrap something to protect from the influence of outside sources; "speculate" means guess, estimate; "heckle" means to interrupt a performer and mock them, to boo someone on stage; "jeer" means to mock, to make fun of.
Example Question #96 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He triggered a(n) __________ when he fired his gun in close proximity to the herd of animals.
skirmish
expedition
conglomeration
stampede
venture
stampede
To begin with "proximity" means in the general area of. So, being in "close proximity" means being physically close to. If someone fired a gun when they were close to a group of animals it makes sense that the animals would flee as a group in a sudden and panicked fashion. The correct answer is therefore "stampede" which means a sudden, terrified fleeing of a group of animals from a perceived danger. Additionally, an "expedition" is a synonym of "venture," both words mean a journey or mission of discovery; a "skirmish" is a small battle, usually before a larger battle; a "conglomeration" is a group of smaller things put together to form a larger combination.
Example Question #97 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The two combatants finally resolved their __________ after years of bitter fighting.
peninsula
feud
sanctuary
incentive
custody
feud
To begin with "combatants" are people engaged in a conflict. Based on the context of this sentence and the intensity of words like "bitter" the correct answer must mean something like a long-running disagreement, a long-term conflict. The correct answer is therefore "feud." Other synonyms of "feud" include "dispute," "fight," "disagreement." Additionally, "incentive" means motivation, reason for doing something; a "sanctuary" is a safe place, a refuge; "custody" means protective care, the guardianship and ownership of something; a "peninsula" means a piece of land almost completely surrounded by water.
Example Question #98 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The two unemployed and infirm men lived together in filth and __________.
glamor
squalor
treachery
triumph
intrigue
squalor
The two men are described as "unemployed and infirm" which means not working and sick. Furthermore, their home is described as one of "filth" and something else. Based on the context that something else probably relates very closely to "filth." The correct answer is therefore "squalor" which means the condition of being dirty, foul and filthy, usually as a result of extreme poverty. Additionally, "triumph" is victory, success; "intrigue" is interest, fascination, something secretive and interesting; "treachery" is betrayal, disloyalty; "glamor" is attraction, charm.
Example Question #99 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
We were worried about introducing our new dog to our two toddlers, but the dog's __________ nature quickly soothed our concerns.
inquisitive
squeamish
amuck
giddy
placid
placid
To begin with "soothing" means calming, something that relaxes one's fears or concerns. So, whatever quality the dog demonstrated calmed the worries of the parents that their small children would be safe around the dog. The correct answer is therefore "placid" which means calm, tranquil, having a peaceful nature. Additionally, "amuck" means out of control; "giddy" means feeling dizzy, often feeling light with relief or excitement; "squeamish" means easily make sick; "inquisitive" means curious, someone who asks a lot of questions out of interest and curiosity.
Example Question #100 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
A sudden flash of lightning briefly __________ the dark house.
intoxicated
enumerated
illuminated
mollycoddled
outdated
illuminated
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like shined a light on, lit up. So, the correct answer is "illuminated." Other synonyms of "illuminate" include "light up," "brighten." Additionally, "outdated" means old-fashioned and obsolete, no longer in use because something better is being used; "mollycoddled" means to care for and indulge like a baby, to treat over-protectively; "intoxicated" means drunk, under the influence of some drug; "enumerated" means listed numerically.
Example Question #101 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I have great __________ for my two darling nieces.
commiseration
recreation
veracity
affection
disgust
affection
It makes logical sense that the author of this sentence would feel fondly and care deeply for his two nieces. The answer choice that best reflects this definition is "affection." "Affection" is a feeling of fondness, liking and caring about someone. Additionally, "recreation" is fun, entertainment; "veracity" is truthfulness, honesty and accuracy; "disgust" means feeling something is gross and unpleasant; "commiseration" means feeling sorrow with someone, expressing that you feel bad for someone's pain, the action of sharing in someone's pain.
Example Question #102 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The protestors decided to __________ the product due to the inhumane practices of the company.
submerge
divulge
conceal
entreat
boycott
boycott
To begin with "protestors" are people who act out or speak out against something, people who strongly disapprove of an official action and try to stop it. Also, "inhumane" means cruel, (of treatment) not appropriate for a human being. So, logically the protestors would refuse to buy, withdraw support for the company's product. The correct answer then is "boycott." To "boycott" means to refuse to support or buy a commercial product. Additionally, "submerge" means go under water, place under water; "entreat" means urge, beg, plead; "conceal" means hide; "divulge" means reveal.
Example Question #103 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ of warriors advanced menacingly towards the fortified city.
fatality
horde
catastrophe
denizen
gait
horde
This sentence describes a group of warriors marching to attack a city. The correct answer must describe a large group and reflect the style and connotation of a menacing group of warriors. The correct answer is therefore "horde." A "horde" is a large group of people doing something, often a large armed force. Additionally, a "denizen" is an inhabitant, someone who lives somewhere; a "gait" is a style of walking; a "catastrophe" is a disaster, something that has gone horribly wrong; a "fatality" is a death, an incidence of death caused by war or disease.
Example Question #104 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The athlete felt terribly __________ after running her first ever marathon.
plausible
tawdry
common
hysterical
fatigued
fatigued
The athlete ran a marathon for the first time, it makes sense that she would feel very exhausted, lacking in physical energy. The correct answer is therefore "fatigued." To be "fatigued" means to be mentally or physically exhausted. Additionally, "hysterical" means very funny; "plausible" means believable, able to be believed, not absurd; "common" means usual, regular, occurring often; "tawdry" means flashy, cheap and of poor quality but meant to be noticeable.
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