ISEE Lower Level Verbal : ISEE Lower Level (grades 5-6) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2021 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

He is moving in with me and __________.

Possible Answers:

he refuses to pay rent

bringing all his stuff

he hasn't sold his old place

my daughter is unhappy about it

I am not ready

Correct answer:

bringing all his stuff

Explanation:

All of these answer choices would fit better with the conjunction "but" except the correct answer which is " . . . bringing all his stuff." The conjunction "and" is used to continue an idea and the conjunction "but" is used to change the nature of an idea.

Example Question #2022 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

I cannot afford a new car, __________.

Possible Answers:

rather than buy an old one

whomever wishes to buy one

because I am wealthy

unless I get a better job

since they are inexpensive

Correct answer:

unless I get a better job

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which conjunction fits most logically within the context of the sentence. The correct answer is " . . . unless I get a better job." The other answer choices are either nonsensical or else illogical within the context of not being able to afford a new car. "Unless" means something like except if this happens. To give another example "I cannot eat unless I have food." Additionally, "inexpensive" means not expensive, cheap.

Example Question #2023 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

__________ I am twenty-five I would like to be living in New York City.

Possible Answers:

By the time

Although

Altogether

Even if

Rather than

Correct answer:

By the time

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these conjunctions makes sense logically in the context of this sentence. "By the time . . . " makes by far the most sense. The speaker is saying that they would like to live in New York City, at the latest, when they are twenty-five.

Example Question #2024 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

Even if I pass my exams, __________.

Possible Answers:

I'll be living around the corner

I will graduate from college

my friends will also pass theirs

my teacher still might fail me

my parents will be very proud of me

Correct answer:

my teacher still might fail me

Explanation:

The use of the conjunction "even if" implies something conditional. This means that the speaker needs to accomplish something to get something else, but that might still not be enough. So, the correct answer must be something negative or worrying. The correct answer is therefore " . . . my teacher might still fail me." None of the other answer choices can be right because they are either nonsensical or describe a positive situation. The conjunction "even if" is complicated to understand and even harder to explain (the simplest words are sometimes the hardest to define) so let us look at another couple of examples: "Even if I eat lots of food I never feel full" and "Even if it is dark outside someone with good eyesight can still see."

Example Question #2025 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

I have always believed in Santa Claus, but __________.

Possible Answers:

I believe in other things too

my mother and father agree

I can prove he exists

he visits me personally every year

I suppose I could be wrong

Correct answer:

I suppose I could be wrong

Explanation:

All of these answer choices would fit better with the conjunction "and" except the correct answer " . . . I suppose I could be wrong." The use of the conjunction "but" means that the information contained in the second part of the sentence will be different or opposite in meaning to the information contained in the first part of the sentence. So, the speaker is essentially saying "I believe this, but I could be wrong." The other answer choices are more like "I believe this and this is why."

Example Question #2026 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

It has been a long time __________.

Possible Answers:

since I last saw her

unless I still see her

altogether I am younger

before I can see her

and I have gotten younger

Correct answer:

since I last saw her

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to focus on tense (whether it is in the past, present, or future) and the conjunctions being used. The speaker is talking about how it's been a long time. When talking about the period in between the past and the present we can use the conjunction "since." So, to provide another example, "It has been years since I went to a party with a clown." 

Example Question #2027 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

Although I do love him, __________.

Possible Answers:

we have a child

we keep living together

he proves his love every day

and I know he loves me

he frustrates me very much

Correct answer:

he frustrates me very much

Explanation:

The conjunction "although" is usually used to mean in spite of. It means something like "even though this one thing is true, this other thing is also true." So, in this sentence you have to determine what is true in spite of the fact that the speaker loves someone. The correct answer is " . . . he frustrates me very much." The other answer choices would make more sense in a sentence constructed "I love him and we have a child/he proves his love everyday/etc."

Example Question #2028 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

My girlfriend believes in ghosts; __________

Possible Answers:

whereas I do not

in case I do not

she is very tranquil

although I do not

she is very rational

Correct answer:

whereas I do not

Explanation:

The speaker's girlfriend believes in ghosts. The word "rational" means reasonable, based on logic, based on what can be seen or proved. Also, the word "tranquil" means calm, peaceful. Neither of these words make sense in this context. So, you are left to try and decipher which of these conjunctions is appropriate if the author is saying he does not believe in ghosts. The correct answer is "whereas." You use "whereas" to express a difference, a contrast, such as "I like meat, whereas he likes vegetables." 

Example Question #2029 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

__________ you have to persevere and keep working.

Possible Answers:

Sometimes it is tempting to do nothing, but

I wish I could see my brother again and

It is not always easy for me to stop working, but

After some time with your parents, but

I wonder if I shall ever get to travel the world and

Correct answer:

Sometimes it is tempting to do nothing, but

Explanation:

The content of the second part of the sentence suggests that the information in the first part of the sentence will relate to wanting to take a break from work. To help you, "persevere" means keep going, not give upcontinue. So, the correct answer is "Sometime it is tempting to do nothing, but . . . " because this accurately reflects the changing tone over the course of the sentence.

Example Question #2030 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

I have always loved birds, but __________.

Possible Answers:

they love me too

I have no idea why

they can fly

my job is birdwatching

I always get to see them

Correct answer:

I have no idea why

Explanation:

The use of the conjunction "but" means that the meaning of the second part of the sentence must be different from and in some way opposite or surprising when compared to the first part of the sentence. So, the correct answer is " . . . I have no idea why." The other answer choices are either slightly nonsensical or would be better suited to the conjunction "and" which is generally used to continue the same meaning throughout the course of a sentence.

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