ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Phrase- and Clause-Based Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Phrase And Clause Based Sentence Completions

Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.

Because he __________, Mr. Walters avoided dining at restaurants that only served one type of cuisine.

Possible Answers:

preferred a spectrum of choices

disliked being confused by an array of options

liked tacos better than steak or hamburgers

preferred to cook at home

owned and managed his own restaurant

Correct answer:

preferred a spectrum of choices

Explanation:

The first word in this sentence, "because," immediately tells us that we are looking for a cause or reason: why does Mr. Walters avoid eating at the restaurants that are described? The second key is that these restaurants only serve one type of food, or "cuisine." In other words, Mr. Walters dislikes eating at establishments where his options are limited. The best answer, then, is that Mr. Walters "prefer(s) a spectrum of choices," which explains why he doesn't like restaurants that do not offer this range. If he "disliked being confused by an array," or too many, choices, Mr. Walters would like the restaurants that the second part of the sentence mentions. Finally, both owning his own restaurant and preferring one type of food over another are irrelevant pieces of information.

Example Question #72 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

Although his voice was weary __________.

Possible Answers:

the man decided to rest 

the rockstar was rushed to the hospital 

the artist could no longer perform 

the musician had to stop playing 

the singer kept going 

Correct answer:

the singer kept going 

Explanation:

The key to solving this sentence completion is to recognize the word "although." "Although" means in spite of this fact, even though this is true. So, for example "although I am tired, I am not going to sleep." So in this instance "although" the singer's voice was weary (tired) he keeps singing. 

Example Question #73 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

After our parents passed away I have a(n) __________ to look after my two little sisters.

Possible Answers:

proposal

ambition

obligation

procedure

permission

Correct answer:

obligation

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence has lost his parents, so it makes sense that he would feel responsible for the care of his two younger sisters. So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices is a noun that means an action that someone feels they have to do, a duty, a moral responsibility. The correct answer is therefore "obligation." Additionally, "permission" means consent, the condition of being allowed to do something; a "procedure" is a course of action, a way of doing something; a "proposal" is a plan, a suggestion, a formal or written scheme; "ambition" means a strong desire to achieve something.

Example Question #74 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The view is supposed to be spectacular, but __________.

Possible Answers:

at least I brought my sunglasses 

today there are too many clouds 

everyone has time to properly enjoy it

I can see for miles 

I came with my family 

Correct answer:

today there are too many clouds 

Explanation:

To begin with "spectacular" means dazzling, something worth seeing, a beautiful sight. In this sentence you are told that the view is "supposed" to be something "but" it is not. The use of these two words tell you that the correct answer must be something negative that impacts the spectacular view. The correct answer is therefore ". . . today there are too many clouds." 

Example Question #75 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The cheese was expired, but __________

Possible Answers:

she threw it away 

the milk was expired too 

I have lots of work to do 

she ate it anyway 

she went to the store 

Correct answer:

she ate it anyway 

Explanation:

Based on the use of the conjunction "but" you are looking for an action that would be unexpected. So, if the cheese is "expired" (out of date, no longer suitable for eating) then it would be surprising for her to eat it anyway. 

Example Question #896 : Sentence Completions

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

Despite his incredible professional success __________

Possible Answers:

he lives by the ocean 

he is very wealthy 

he is not happy 

he has one child 

he lives in a mansion 

Correct answer:

he is not happy 

Explanation:

The use of the word "despite" should help you solve this problem. "Despite" means not affected by something. So, "I am cold despite this blanket." Therefore the correct answer is " . . . he is not happy." The subject has achieved professional success but it has not affected his happiness. 

Example Question #76 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

He worked tirelessly, but __________

Possible Answers:

did not achieve success 

came up with the solution to the problem 

was always tired at the end of the say 

regarded his dog with great affection 

drew pictures for his children 

Correct answer:

did not achieve success 

Explanation:

The conjunction "but" means that whatever happened must be surprising or opposite in meaning to the first half of the sentence. The correct answer is therefore " . . . did not achieve success." The man worked "tirelessly" (hard, putting in a lot of energy) "but" is hard work did bring him success. All the other answer choices are either nonsensical or would better involve the conjunction "and."

Example Question #77 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

I went to the market and came home with a profit; __________

Possible Answers:

if only I had been less foolish 

my mother is very happy 

they love to take advantage of me 

I am clearly not good at negotiating 

it was a terrible day 

Correct answer:

my mother is very happy 

Explanation:

In most sentences the use of a semi-colon (;) means that the sentence could be finished, but the author wants to continue the same idea. In this sentence the speaker made a profit (earned money) at the market and went home. It makes logical sense that the speaker earning money would make his mother happy, so this is the correct answer. The other answer choices suggest that the speaker had had bad luck or had lost money. 

Example Question #899 : Sentence Completions

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

The peace treaty __________ the conflict between the two nations . 

Possible Answers:

left behind 

exacerbated 

acknowledged and mocked 

brought to an end

added to the intensity of 

Correct answer:

brought to an end

Explanation:

To solve this problem you have to determine what a peace treaty would be most likely to do to a conflict. A "conflict" is a fight, a war, an argument. A "peace treaty" is an agreement that restores peace. Additionally, "exacerbated" means made worse; "acknowledged" means noticed, recognized, accepted; "mocked" means made fun of

Example Question #78 : Conjunctions And Sentence Logic In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The old man suffered a series of misfortunes and __________

Possible Answers:

felt that he was incredibly lucky 

experienced many lucky moments 

soon found himself penniless 

managed to turn his life around 

never got upset about it 

Correct answer:

soon found himself penniless 

Explanation:

To begin with "misfortune" is bad luck. So, the man experienced a lot of bad luck and then something happened. Of these answer choices four of them would make more sense with the conjunction "but." So the answer choice, " . . . soon found himself penniless" makes sense with the conjunction "and" because it continues the same point as the first half of the sentence. "Penniless" means very poor, having no money

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