ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #107 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

He was totally __________ in the movie and did not notice when the phone rang. 

Possible Answers:

abridged 

enlisted

unveiled 

concealed 

engrossed 

Correct answer:

engrossed 

Explanation:

If the man did notice when his phone rang then he must have been paying very close attention to the movie and been completely engaged by it. To solve this problem you need to identify a verb that matches with this intensity. The correct answer is therefore "engrossed." To be "engrossed" means to be completely absorbed in something, to be riveted, to give all of one's attention to one thing. Additionally, "concealed" means hidden; "unveiled" means revealed, shown; "enlisted" means joined, as in joined a group, most commonly it means joined the army; "abridged" means edited and shortened

Example Question #108 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

They called in a decorator to __________ the living room. 

Possible Answers:

reprimand

relegate

recall

refurbish

replenish

Correct answer:

refurbish

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence the verb must relate to some action that a decorator might do to a room. The correct answer is therefore "refurbish" which means (of a building or room) to redo something, to renovate something, to make changes to design and furniture. Additionally, "recall" means remember, bring to mind; "replenish" means to fill something up again; "reprimand" means scold, tell off, officially punish; "relegate" means downgrade to a lower position, lower the position of.

Example Question #109 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

She was very __________ in the local community and many people supported her when she decided to run for office. 

Possible Answers:

infamous 

uptight 

rigid 

grotesque 

prominent 

Correct answer:

prominent 

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that describes a positive trait that would inspire people to vote for someone. The correct answer is therefore "prominent" which means well known, noticeable, important. Additionally, "grotesque" means gross, disgusting, unattractive; "infamous" means famous for the wrong reasons; "rigid" means firm, stern, harsh, fixed; "uptight" means tense and incapable of relaxing, not fun to be around

Example Question #110 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

His hands were __________ from years of working in the fields with his bare hands.

Possible Answers:

adamant

serene

calloused

cryptic

dainty

Correct answer:

calloused

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these answer choices is an adjective that describes a consequence of manual labor. Manual labor, or anything in which the hands or feet are used excessively, results in "calloused" hands. "Calloused" means hardened, tough (skin). Additionally, "adamant" means insistent, not able to be persuaded to change one's mind; "cryptic" means mysterious; "serene" means quite, peaceful, tranquil; "dainty" means soft, delicate.

Example Question #111 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The food was __________ out every morning to the starving children.

Possible Answers:

consumed

toiled

wrecked

launched

doled

Correct answer:

doled

Explanation:

Based on the fact that the children are starving, the food that is being given out must be of a small quantity. To "dole" means to hand out in small quantities to a group of people. Additionally, "launched" means started or caused to fly long distances; "wrecked" means ruined, broken; "consumed" means eaten, used entirely; "toiled" means worked.

Example Question #112 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

My friend is very __________ and I always have to work hard to stop him from trying to fight people.

Possible Answers:

bashful

brawny

possessive

portly

pugnacious

Correct answer:

pugnacious

Explanation:

The speaker's friend is always trying to fight people, so he could best be described as aggressive, combative, hostile, or "pugnacious." Additionally, "portly" means fat; "brawny" means strong, muscular; "bashful" means shy, easily embarrassed; "possessive" means controlling, demanding someone's time and attention, acting like you own someone.

Example Question #113 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The tidal wave __________ the small island and submerged most of it beneath the sea.

Possible Answers:

reinforced

berated

trounced

engulfed

deluded

Correct answer:

engulfed

Explanation:

In this sentence you are told that the tidal wave caused most of the island to become "submerged" (under water). The wave must therefore have completely covered, flooded and overwhelmed the island. The correct answer is therefore "engulfed." To "engulf" means to swept over and completely surround or submerge. Additionally, "deluded" means tricked, lied to, deceived; "berated" means yelled at; "reinforced" means fortified, strengthened; "trounced" means completely defeated.

Example Question #114 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The refugees fled from their home country to escape government __________

Possible Answers:

malaise 

omniscience 

persecution 

assistance 

benevolence 

Correct answer:

persecution 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices is a noun that describes a condition that people would want to flee their country in order to escape. The correct answer is therefore "persecution" which means oppression, ill treatment, violent treatment based on religious, political, or ethnic differences. Additionally, "assistance" means help; "malaise" means a general feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction; "omniscience" means all-knowing; "benevolence" means good naturea desire to help others.

Example Question #115 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The refugees felt __________ because they could not find a home.

Possible Answers:

obsolete

brash

despair

liberated

joyful

Correct answer:

despair

Explanation:

It makes sense that the refugees would feel hopeless if they could not find a home. The correct answer then is "despair" which means the complete lack of hope. Additionally, "liberated" means set free; "obsolete" means out-of-date, no longer useful; "joyful" means full of joy, very happy; "brash" means cocky, arrogant and bold.

Example Question #116 : Context Clues In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The very small boy could not __________.

Possible Answers:

see the movie

crawl on the ground

eat any food

stand up straight in the basement

be carried by his father

Correct answer:

see the movie

Explanation:

You are told that the boy is small and that he cannot do something. Which of these answer choices is most likely to be difficult for a very small boy? The correct answer is " . . . see[ing] the movie."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors