ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Word-Based Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

I don't think he did it, although __________.

Possible Answers:

I am never wrong

I am sure of it

he seems innocent

I don't think he is guilty

I could be wrong

Correct answer:

I could be wrong

Explanation:

The key to solving this problem is the use of the word "although." "Although" is used like "however," "yet," and "but" to introduce an opposite or contrasting idea. So, most of these answer choices would be better served with the conjunction "and" which is used to continue an idea. The correct answer is therefore " . . . I could be wrong." The author is unsure of themselves and this is reflected in the words "think" and "although."

Example Question #32 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The journey was cancelled __________.

Possible Answers:

because of the favorable weather

however the awful weather

due to terrible weather

although there was bad weather

in spite of the bad weather

Correct answer:

due to terrible weather

Explanation:

To solve this problem you simply need to recognize which of these conjunctions makes the most sense within the context of this sentence. The correct answer is " . . . due to terrible weather." "Due to" means because of. All the other conjunctions are either completely nonsensical in the structure of this sentence or else would only make sense if the journey was not cancelled. Additionally, "favorable" means advantageous, offering some benefit.

Example Question #33 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Despite all the hype, the day proved largely __________.

Possible Answers:

insolent

uneventful

giddy

degrading

optional

Correct answer:

uneventful

Explanation:

The use of the conjunction "despite" tells you that the day in question did not live up to the "hype" (excitement). The day must therefore have been devoid of action, boring and normal. The correct answer is therefore "uneventful." Something that is described as "uneventful" is something mundane that is not interesting. Additionally, "giddy" means light-headed and dizzy or excited; "optional" means not required, a choice; "insolent" means rude and obnoxious; "degraded" means treated with disrespect and made to feel worthless.

Example Question #34 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Given the complex and changing details of life, it is rare that someone is ever totally __________ about his or her political opinions.

Possible Answers:

reflective

joyful

certain

angered

delighted

Correct answer:

certain

Explanation:

The sentence talks about how the world is changing and complex. This implies that people rarely "settle" on one political opinion. While this means that people may not be happy with their opinions, we really can't say much about happiness, given our clues. We must be as vague as the sentence itself is. Therefore, the best option is merely "certain." To be "certain" is to be sure and settled about something. This is as much as you can say for this sentence.

Example Question #35 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

What Robert thought was a face in the window was actually nothing more than a(n) ___________ caused by the light reflecting off his porch.

Possible Answers:

foot

intricacy

ghost

illusion

buildup

Correct answer:

illusion

Explanation:

The sentence implies that the image in the window was not what it appeared to be.  For this reason, the best option is "illusion." When something is an "illusion," it appears to be one thing while being another. Often, we speak of "optical illusions." These are just a particular kind of illusion, namely one that we see with our eyes. (Indeed, in this sentence, the illusion is optical!)

Example Question #36 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After many years as a foe, the nation changed its policies radically and became a(n) ___________ to the United States.

Possible Answers:

traitor

delight

neighbor

ally

disputant

Correct answer:

ally

Explanation:

The key thing to notice is the fact that the nation has changed "from" being a foe "to" its current status. Thus, you should pick an option that best expresses this contrast to being a foe. It is for this reason that "ally" is the best option. An "ally" is someone who has friendly relations with another group. Thus, to go from being a foe to being an ally means that someone goes from being an enemy to being a friend. This is the best option among those given.

Example Question #37 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although the __________ effect of the punch was little more than a minor hurt, after several days, the spot began to show extensive bruising.

Possible Answers:

physical

weak

tepid

regular

immediate

Correct answer:

immediate

Explanation:

This sentence is contrasting two things. The second item in the contrast is explicitly stated. It is the effect that showed itself after several days. In contrast to such a delayed effect, an "immediate" effect is one that shows itself right away.

Example Question #38 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The lists of Daniel's accomplishments were not very __________. Many other people had done exactly the same things as him and just as well he had done them.

Possible Answers:

impressive

urban

enlightening

encouraging

academic

Correct answer:

impressive

Explanation:

This sentence implies that Daniel's accomplishments are not very extraordinary. They are just like everyone else's accomplishments. This means that they are not very impressive. Perhaps he has done some very good things. Still, they just don't "stand out."

Example Question #39 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Robert was a strange man. Bad news did not sadden him at all; it actually made him __________!

Possible Answers:

shout

wail

rejoice

weep

reflect

Correct answer:

rejoice

Explanation:

This set of sentences is expressing the strange contrast between what we would expect from Robert when he finds out bad news and how he actually acts. It is surprising that he is not saddened by bad news. The implication is that his attitude is the opposite of sadness in these cases. That means that his attitude must be one of gladness or joy. Thus, it seems that the bad news would make him "rejoice"!

Example Question #40 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although it is easy to annoy people, it can also be very easy to __________ them by doing small kindnesses for them.

Possible Answers:

please

fulfill

anger

save

irritate

Correct answer:

please

Explanation:

This sentence contrasts two things that are easy to do for other people. The implication of the logic of the sentence is that these are two different things. Thus, on the one hand it is said to be easy to annoy people. We are therefore looking for something opposite of annoying. Among the options provided, only one such word provides this kind of contrast, namely "please." The word "save" might seem like a positive contrast for "annoy."  While this is true, it is not a great contrast. The best option is "please," which is certainly a good opposite to "annoy."

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