All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2031 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
The mansion has fallen into a state of disrepair; __________.
new tenants have just moved in
it needs renovation
it is very new
it has never looked better
the weather is terrible outside
it needs renovation
To begin with "disrepair" means in bad condition. So, if the mansion was in bad condition it would make sense that it would "need renovation." "Renovation" means the action of repairing or improving something broken. Additionally, "tenants" means people renting property.
Example Question #2032 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
__________, but his compassionate nature eases my fears slightly.
I love going to visit my grandfather
I always get excited to eat at a cafe
I dread going to see the dentist
I love working with with my best friend
I am exhausted with my workload
I dread going to see the dentist
To begin with "compassionate" means caring, generous, kind, loving. So, to solve this problem it is useful to focus on the conjunction "but." The use of this word suggests that the information in the first part of the sentence relates to a fear that the speaker experiences. So, the correct answer is "I dread going to see the dentist . . . " "Dread" means extreme fear and anxiety. Additionally, "exhausted" means very tired; "workload" means work one has to do.
Example Question #2033 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
America is one of the best countries in the world at women's soccer and __________.
the sport is banned in many states
the sport is considered too dangerous for young children
not as good at men's soccer
it is very popular with young girls
the sport is hated by most of the population
it is very popular with young girls
The use of the word "and" suggests that the primary idea of this sentence will continue in the second part of the sentence. The correct answer is therefore " . . . it is very popular with young girls." All the other answer choices dramatically change the meaning of the sentence and would likely be prefaced with the conjunction "but."
Example Question #2034 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Sentence completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
He was __________ man I ever met, until he lost his eyesight in an accident.
the most ridiculous
the least wealthy
the most fortunate
the unluckiest
the least attractive
the most fortunate
The use of the conjunction "until" means that the conditions that existed up to a point changed when something else happened. So, the man had an unlucky accident and lost his eyesight so the conditions before that must have been different or opposite. The correct answer is therefore " . . . the most fortunate . . . " "fortunate" means lucky. To summarize the man was considered lucky, until something bad happens, then he was considered unlucky. "Until" represents a change in conditions from past to present.
Example Question #2035 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Even though Gregory wasn't certain about the choice they should make, he felt it necessary to __________ a possible option for dinner.
override
cancel
fulfill
intensify
suggest
suggest
The general idea is that Gregory cannot give a certain answer; however, given the way the sentence is structured, we can tell that he wants to present some kind of option. Therefore, we can say that he wants to "recommend" or "suggest." The second is a choice among the options given.
Example Question #2036 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
On the whole, Candice had few __________; however, today, she greatly wished to have three chocolate bars, a new computer, and to go see a movie.
hatreds
foods
interests
complaints
desires
desires
To answer this question, look at the second half. On this day, it is said that Candice is expressing a desire for several things. The general point seems to be that these wants and desires are to be contrasted to her normal state of mind. She must not wish to have very much at all. Hence, the best option is "desires."
Example Question #2037 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Before I leave for school __________.
her mother helped her with her homework
I have to get ready
I talk to my teacher
she has to get dressed
they drive together
I have to get ready
The primary clue to solving this problem is the use of the word "before." This tells you that the correct answer must relate to something that the speaker would do in the morning in preparation for school. The correct answer is therefore " . . . I have to get ready." Notice that most of the incorrect answers use the wrong pronoun. Pronouns are words like "he," "she," or "they." Pay careful attention to pronoun continuation in all phrase-based sentence completion questions.
Example Question #2038 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite feeling lonely __________.
she was very sad
she did not want to see anyone
her family had left her
she went for a quiet walk
she cooked herself a small dinner
she did not want to see anyone
The key to solving this problem is the conjunction "despite" that begins this sentence. The word "despite" is hard to explain, but it means something like even though this thing is true, this opposite thing is also true. So even though the girl felt lonely, she still did not want to see anyone. Because this word is so hard to define let us look at a couple more examples: "Despite being very sick, she still went to work"; "Despite it being winter, it was very hot outside."
Example Question #2039 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
__________ because he robbed the local bank.
He was living quietly in his home
He went out to the shops
He was very poor
He was on the run from the police
He has left himself alone
He was on the run from the police
The use of the word "because" tells you that to solve this problem you need to consider which one of these answer choices best represents a consequence of someone robbing a bank. The correct answer then is "He was on the run from the police . . . " The answer choice "He was very poor . . . " would work better if the conjunction was "so" rather than "because."
Example Question #2040 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The wedding was supposed to be a joyous occasion, __________.
however no-one felt sad
although everyone felt celebratory
but she felt sad and alone
but everyone felt happy
but they danced the night away
but she felt sad and alone
The key to solving this problem is understanding the use of the word "supposed." The word suggests that something was meant to happen, but in fact something else or opposite has happened. As in, "it was supposed to rain, but the sun is shining." Also, you need to understand that the word "joyous" means happy. So, the correct answer must relate to someone not feeling happy about the wedding even though they were "meant" to. The correct answer is therefore " . . . but she felt sad and alone."
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