ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Nouns

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Nouns

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

On the last day of school the three friends made a(n) __________ that they would stay friends forever.

Possible Answers:

audience

accomplice

kinship

tradition

oath

Correct answer:

oath

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a promise made between people about future behavior. So, the correct answer is an "oath" which means a pledge, a promise, a vow. Additionally, an "audience" is a group of people who watches a performance; an "accomplice" is someone who helps someone commit a crime; a "tradition" is a long-lasting cultural belief, a social practice passed down from previous generations; "kinship" means family relationship

Example Question #112 : Nouns

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

The governor issued __________ to all criminals who had been wrongly convicted before he came to office.

Possible Answers:

reprimands

vows

mandates

pardons

summons

Correct answer:

pardons

Explanation:

If people had been wrongly "convicted" (found guilty of and put in jail) then it makes sense that the governor would legally forgive them, release them from guilt. A "pardon" is a formal statement that releases someone from guilt. To "pardon" means to forgive, to show mercy to. Additionally, "summons" are orders to appear somewhere; "mandates" are official orders and instructions; "vows" are promises; "reprimands" are official scoldings and punishments.

Example Question #113 : Nouns

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

They went to the __________ to pick apples.

Possible Answers:

vehicle

basement

metropolis

marina

orchard

Correct answer:

orchard

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these nouns describes a place where someone might go to pick apples. An "orchard" is a place where fruit trees are planted and raised. Additionally, "marina" means harbor, place where boats are kept; "metropolis" means city; a "vehicle" is a machine that transports people or things, like a car.

Example Question #114 : Nouns

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

He has the __________ to make the rules. 

Possible Answers:

dishonesty 

severity 

abundance 

authority 

atrocity 

Correct answer:

authority 

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence is able to make the rules so he must be in a position of "authority." "Authority" means the power or capability of making rules and laws. Additionally, "abundance" means the quality of having more than enough of something; "severity" means harshness; "dishonesty" means the action of lying; an "atrocity" is a terrible action committed by some people

Example Question #115 : Nouns

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

The __________ was mined for stone and marble.

Possible Answers:

fatality

neighborhood

quarry

victim

pastor

Correct answer:

quarry

Explanation:

A "mine" where things like marble and stone are found and mined is called a "quarry." Additionally, "fatality" means death; a "pastor" is a religious leader; a "victim" is a person who has suffered or been attacked; a "neighborhood" is a community of people who live close together.

Example Question #116 : Nouns

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

He found the puzzle __________ and could not complete it.

Possible Answers:

futile

frightened

pathetic

perplexing

illicit

Correct answer:

perplexing

Explanation:

If the subject of this sentence could not "complete" (finish) the puzzle it makes sense to suppose that he found it confusing, bewildering, puzzling. The correct answer then is "perplexing." Additionally, "frightened" means scared; "futile" means pointless, meaningless; "illicit" means illegal or against the rules; "pathetic" means not impressive at all, deserving of pity.

Example Question #117 : Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

I have a(n) __________ that he is guilty, but I need more proof to be certain.

Possible Answers:

misery

loathing

hunch

burden

euphoria

Correct answer:

hunch

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence is not certain that the man is guilty, but thinks that he is. When you have a suspicion or feeling based on intuition that something is true you have a "hunch." Additionally, "misery" is great sadness; "loathing" is deep hatred; "euphoria" is great happiness; a "burden" is something difficult that a person has to deal with.

Example Question #261 : Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

She was overcome with __________ following the death of her grandmother.

Possible Answers:

ecstasy

grief

benign

fortune

inkling

Correct answer:

grief

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence has just lost her grandmother so it makes sense that she would feel extremely sad about this lost. The correct answer is therefore "grief." "Grief" means deep sadness, especially about the loss of a loved one. Additionally, "fortune" can mean luck or wealth; "benign" means harmless; an "inkling" is an idea that something might be true, a hunch, a suspicion; "ecstasy" is extreme happiness.

Example Question #262 : Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

The __________ were able to overthrow the government relatively quickly.

Possible Answers:

insurgents

imitators

mediators

pedagogues

medics

Correct answer:

insurgents

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, which discusses the fall of a country's government, you know that the noun you are looking for must mean something like rebels. So, the correct answer is "insurgents." An "insurgent" is a rebel, a revolutionary, someone seeking to overthrow the government. Additionally, "pedagogues" are teachers; a "mediator" is someone who acts as a go between when two people are having an argument; a "medic" is a doctor; an "imitator" is someone unoriginal, someone who copies others.

Example Question #263 : Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

She fired her __________ for poor performance at work.

Possible Answers:

peer

garrison

mentor

subordinate

jury

Correct answer:

subordinate

Explanation:

If the subject was able to fire someone then it stands to reason that this person must have been of lower rank, inferior in position. So, the correct answer is "subordinate." A "subordinate" is someone under the authority of someone else. Additionally, a "mentor" is someone with experience who helps and guides someone with less experience; a "jury" is a group of people chosen to decide whether or not someone is guilty; a "peer" is an equal, a person of the same social group; a "garrison" is an armed force kept somewhere to protect something.

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