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 #791 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Weak from a long-term illness, Thomas _____________ tried to move the chair across the room, only to collapse due to exhaustion.

Possible Answers:

Lightly

Sickly

Irregularly

Feebly

Medically

Correct answer:

Feebly

Explanation:

The most tempting wrong answer for this question is likely "sickly," but that doesn't make much sense regarding someone's ability to move a chair. Instead, the idea is that Thomas made weak attempt to move the chair, meaning that it was a feeble attempt. The adverb "feebly" describes an action that is physically weak, often due to illness or being old. (It can also be used metaphorically, as when we say that a lamp gives off "feeble light.")

Example Question #792 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Patricia was known for her __________ disposition. She would stay with people who were grieving for hours, hoping to give them some comfort.

Possible Answers:

feminine

regular

intelligent

attentive

compassionate

Correct answer:

compassionate

Explanation:

The second sentence describes Patricia as being a person who is able to suffer with other people. When we can show sympathy in this way, we are "compassionate." Interestingly both "sympathy" and "compassionate" come from similar roots, but from different languages! "Sympathy" comes from Greek roots meaning suffering with. "Compassionate" comes from Latin roots meaning the same thing!

Example Question #793 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although the __________ response to math class was anxiety, Jessica did not experience anything of the sort. Indeed, she loved math and found the class relaxing.

Possible Answers:

stupid

healthy

amazing

foolish

typical

Correct answer:

typical

Explanation:

The contrast in this sentence is between Jessica's unique response to math class and what seems to be the normal response—anxiety. When something is "typical" it is ordinary or normal. We can say, for example: "That was his typical greeting; he always said, 'Hey you,' when he ran into someone."

Example Question #794 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After he nearly died in the accident, the young man realized that he was not ___________ but actually could die.

Possible Answers:

frightened

regular

irregular

mortal

immortal

Correct answer:

immortal

Explanation:

The young man apparently did not think he could ever die. This means that he doubted his mortality. The words "mortal" and "mortality," as well as "morgue" and "morbid" all come from roots having to do with death. The adjective "mortal" means able to die. Thus, the word "immortal" means not able to die. (Remember that the "i-" prefix can mean "not".) The man seems to have realized that he is actually not immortal.

Example Question #795 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Peter thought that Rachel's words were very __________, hurting his feelings greatly.

Possible Answers:

saddening

foolish

abusive

frightening

exciting

Correct answer:

abusive

Explanation:

It seems that Rachel's words were very hurtful. Therefore, you should choose a word that most closely describes such hurtful action. When we abuse someone, we hurt them—either physically or at least emotionally. In this sentence, the abuse in question is verbal and emotional. Thus, the adjective "abusive" is the best option.

Example Question #796 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Since he was __________ that his brother would hit him, Henry stood, waiting for the slapping hand to land on his back.

Possible Answers:

anticipating

afraid

aware

frightened

angered

Correct answer:

anticipating

Explanation:

This sentence does not really indicate much about Henry's attitude. We do not know if he is frightened or angered by his brother's upcoming slap. All that we know is that he is waiting for it to happen. When we think that something is about to happen and then wait for it, we are said to "anticipate" that thing. That is what Henry is being described as doing in this sentence.

Example Question #797 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although William did very well in his English class, he was ___________ of finishing a single math problem, even when he tried to do so for hours.

Possible Answers:

afraid

aware

conscious

reflective

incapable

Correct answer:

incapable

Explanation:

This sentence contrasts William's abilities in English to his lack of abilities in math. Apparently, he cannot do any math problems at all. This means that he has no capability whatsoever. In other words, he is totally incapable of completing such problems.

Example Question #798 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The wealthy family tried to help their __________ neighbors buy food for the upcoming holiday.

Possible Answers:

impoverished

intense

depressed

annoying

uncultured

Correct answer:

impoverished

Explanation:

The clues for this sentence are pretty obvious. The wealthy family apparently wants to use their money to help neighbors who cannot afford to buy food. This implies that the other family is poor or impoverished. Though this is a pretty obvious answer, it is clearly the correct one based on the context clues!

Example Question #799 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Robert wanted __________ control over the food in the campsite, for he believed that things would become missing if multiple people were in charge of the rations.

Possible Answers:

exclusive

political

alarming

judicial

legislative

Correct answer:

exclusive

Explanation:

The important thing to note is Robert's fear. He was afraid that having many people in charge of the food would lead to the food coming up missing. (Rations can refer to the limited food that is given to people in fixed amounts. The word can also be used in the plural like this just to mean "the food that is available.") Therefore, Robert wanted to have complete control over the food. That is, he wanted exclusive control—control that excluded everyone else from making decisions.

Example Question #661 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The friends kept a __________ supply of candy from which anyone could take a piece whenever he or she wanted to.

Possible Answers:

generous

individual

communal

large

wealthy

Correct answer:

communal

Explanation:

This sentence implies that the friends kept a supply of candy in common. Apparently no one person owned the candy, but anyone in the group could take from it at his or her desire. Now, perhaps this was a generous, large, or (in a broader sense) "wealthy" pile of candy. We just don't know. All that is implied is that they held it in common. Thus, the adjective "communal" is the best option among those provided. Communal goods are ones that are held by the group for the sake of members of the group.

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