ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #87 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The rescuers searched desperately through the __________ to find any survivors.

Possible Answers:

banquet

debris

migrant

harbor

prey

Correct answer:

debris

Explanation:

To solve this problem you have to determine which of these is an answer that describes something that rescuers might search through to find people after a disaster. The correct answer is "debris" which means the remains of something that has collapsed or been destroyed. Additionally, a "banquet" is a feast; a "harbor" is a place where ships are docked; a "migrant" is a person who moves from one place to another; "prey" is something that is being hunted by something else.

Example Question #88 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The angry man had to be __________ by his friends to prevent him from attacking someone else at the party.

Possible Answers:

compelled

restrained

infested

ransacked

contradicted

Correct answer:

restrained

Explanation:

If the man was thinking of doing something foolish and aggressive like attacking someone else, it makes sense that his friends would try to prevent him and hold him back. The correct answer is therefore "restrained" which means to be prevented from doing something, to be held back from causing trouble. Additionally, "infested" means made sick with; "ransacked" means searched and plundered recklessly; "compelled" means forced to do; "contradicted" means argued against.

Example Question #89 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After the eruption of the volcano the whole surrounding area was __________ in dust.

Possible Answers:

spurred

illuminated

shrouded

intercepted

rotated

Correct answer:

shrouded

Explanation:

After a volcanic eruption it makes sense that the surrounding area would be completely covered in dust. So, the correct answer is "shrouded." Other synonyms of "shrouded" include veiled, concealed, hidden, covered by. Additionally, "intercepted" means stopped, prevented from continuing; "illuminated" means lit up; "spurred" means encouraged, urged; "rotated" means turned.

Example Question #90 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The mouse __________ with fear as the cat loomed over, ready for the kill.

Possible Answers:

demonstrated

quivered

jostled

soothed

taunted

Correct answer:

quivered

Explanation:

An animal that is about to be eaten by another animal would presumably be shaking with complete fear. So, the answer is "quivered." To "quiver" means to tremble, to shake with fear. Additionally, "taunted" means mocked, teased, made fun of; "soothed" means calmed, helped to feel better; "jostled" means bumped into, fought lightly with; "demonstrated" means showed.

Example Question #91 : Sentence Completions

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

He had completely forgotten to prepare for the speech so when he got up on stage he had to __________.

Possible Answers:

insulate

jeer

speculate

improvise

heckle

Correct answer:

improvise

Explanation:

You are told that the subject is not prepared for his speech. So, the correct answer should refer to a verb that means to perform something without preparation. The correct answer is therefore "improvise." To "improvise" means to do something without having prepared, to make something up on the spot. Additionally, "insulate" means wrap something to protect from the influence of outside sources; "speculate" means guess, estimate; "heckle" means to interrupt a performer and mock them, to boo someone on stage; "jeer" means to mock, to make fun of.

Example Question #92 : Sentence Completions

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

He triggered a(n) __________ when he fired his gun in close proximity to the herd of animals.

Possible Answers:

expedition

stampede

venture

skirmish

conglomeration

Correct answer:

stampede

Explanation:

To begin with "proximity" means in the general area of. So, being in "close proximity" means being physically close to. If someone fired a gun when they were close to a group of animals it makes sense that the animals would flee as a group in a sudden and panicked fashion. The correct answer is therefore "stampede" which means a sudden, terrified fleeing of a group of animals from a perceived danger. Additionally, an "expedition" is a synonym of "venture," both words mean a journey or mission of discovery; a "skirmish" is a small battle, usually before a larger battle; a "conglomeration" is a group of smaller things put together to form a larger combination.

Example Question #93 : Sentence Completions

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

The two combatants finally resolved their __________ after years of bitter fighting.

Possible Answers:

sanctuary

peninsula

incentive

custody

feud

Correct answer:

feud

Explanation:

To begin with "combatants" are people engaged in a conflict. Based on the context of this sentence and the intensity of words like "bitter" the correct answer must mean something like a long-running disagreement, a long-term conflict. The correct answer is therefore "feud." Other synonyms of "feud" include "dispute," "fight," "disagreement." Additionally, "incentive" means motivation, reason for doing something; a "sanctuary" is a safe place, a refuge; "custody" means protective care, the guardianship and ownership of something; a "peninsula" means a piece of land almost completely surrounded by water.

Example Question #94 : Sentence Completions

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

The two unemployed and infirm men lived together in filth and __________.

Possible Answers:

intrigue

triumph

treachery

squalor

glamor

Correct answer:

squalor

Explanation:

The two men are described as "unemployed and infirm" which means not working and sick. Furthermore, their home is described as one of "filth" and something else. Based on the context that something else probably relates very closely to "filth." The correct answer is therefore "squalor" which means the condition of being dirty, foul and filthy, usually as a result of extreme poverty. Additionally, "triumph" is victory, success; "intrigue" is interest, fascination, something secretive and interesting; "treachery" is betrayal, disloyalty; "glamor" is attraction, charm

Example Question #95 : Sentence Completions

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

We were worried about introducing our new dog to our two toddlers, but the dog's __________ nature quickly soothed our concerns.

Possible Answers:

inquisitive

squeamish

giddy

placid

amuck

Correct answer:

placid

Explanation:

To begin with "soothing" means calming, something that relaxes one's fears or concerns. So, whatever quality the dog demonstrated calmed the worries of the parents that their small children would be safe around the dog. The correct answer is therefore "placid" which means calm, tranquil, having a peaceful nature. Additionally, "amuck" means out of control; "giddy" means feeling dizzy, often feeling light with relief or excitement; "squeamish" means easily make sick; "inquisitive" means curious, someone who asks a lot of questions out of interest and curiosity

Example Question #96 : Sentence Completions

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

A sudden flash of lightning briefly __________ the dark house. 

Possible Answers:

intoxicated 

mollycoddled 

enumerated 

illuminated 

outdated 

Correct answer:

illuminated 

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like shined a light on, lit up. So, the correct answer is "illuminated." Other synonyms of "illuminate" include "light up," "brighten." Additionally, "outdated" means old-fashioned and obsolete, no longer in use because something better is being used; "mollycoddled" means to care for and indulge like a baby, to treat over-protectively; "intoxicated" means drunk, under the influence of some drug; "enumerated" means listed numerically

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