ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #171 : Sentence Completions

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

My grandfather lost an arm in the war, but despite missing a __________, he was easily the best golfer in our family.

Possible Answers:

skeleton

nose

limb

sole

brain

Correct answer:

limb

Explanation:

“Limb” is a name given to arms and legs. To further help you, "sole" is the name of the bottom of your feet; "skeleton" is the collection of bones that make up a body. 

Example Question #172 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

Can you stop blocking the __________, please? No one can get in to the building.

Possible Answers:

charity

banquet

philanthropic

entrance

garrison

Correct answer:

entrance

Explanation:

Because no one can get in to the building, we can assume that the subject was standing in the "entrance." The "entrance" is something you use to get in to a certain location, such as a door. None of the other answer choices make sense in the blank: a "banquet" is a large, usually formal, feast of food; "charity" is the act of giving to those who have less than you; someone who is "philanthropic" is charitable or giving; and a "garrison" is a group of troops left somewhere to protect something.

Example Question #173 : Sentence Completions

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

The town's inhabitants were desperate for rainfall to come soon; they had been experiencing a __________ and rain was highly infrequent.

Possible Answers:

drought

blizzard

weather

monsoon

Correct answer:

drought

Explanation:

The town's residents highly desire rainfall in their area because there has been a scarcity of rain in the recent past, so we are looking for an answer choice that describes a deficiency of rain. The best answer choice is "drought," which means a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall.

Example Question #174 : Sentence Completions

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

Bill de Blasio won the New York City mayoral election by a __________, receiving a large majority of the votes. 

Possible Answers:

minority

hair

landslide

little

Correct answer:

landslide

Explanation:

Mayor de Blasio won the election by a substantial number of votes, so the best answer choice is "landslide," defined as an overwhelming majority of votes for one candidate in an election.

Example Question #175 : Sentence Completions

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

To become a firefighter, you must possess __________ that will be unwavered by dangerous circumstances.

Possible Answers:

narcissism

bravery

kindness

danger

Correct answer:

bravery

Explanation:

We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "courage" or "valor" because the sentence tells us that firefighters need to be unaffected by dangerous situations. So, "bravery," a noun that means courageous behavior or character, is the correct answer choice because it best fits the sentence's context. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank space: "danger" means the possibility of being harmed; "kindness" means the quality of being friendly or generous; and "narcissism" means excessive self-interest or interest in how one looks.

Example Question #176 : Sentence Completions

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

Bryan and Ophelia were assigned to work together on a group project, but since they refuse to talk to each other, the project is likely to be a __________.

Possible Answers:

ramshackle

success

failure

boon

Correct answer:

failure

Explanation:

We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disaster" or "fiasco" because the sentence tells us that Bryan and Ophelia refuse to work together on their project. So, "failure," an adjective that means the opposite of a success, is the correct answer choice because it best fits the sentence's context. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank space: "boon" means something helpful; "success" is an antonym of "failure" and means the state of accomplishing something; and "ramshackle" is an adjective that means dilapidated or run-down.

Example Question #177 : Sentence Completions

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

I have great __________ for my years in high school; I was always happy there and life was far simpler.

Possible Answers:

affection

disgust

regret

despondence

dismay

Correct answer:

affection

Explanation:

The second clause reveals that the author was always happy at school, which suggests his memories would be fond or affectionate. The correct answer is therefore “affection.” To provide further help, “dismay” is a feeling of sadness and hopelessness; “disgust” means revulsion; “regret” is a feeling that you wish you had done things differently; “despondence” means hopelessness

Example Question #178 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

Unlike Tyler, who liked to be busy all the time, Matt was happiest during moments of __________, when he could relax on his couch, free of obligations.

Possible Answers:

leisure

honesty

intensity

labor

Correct answer:

leisure

Explanation:

The first thing you may notice about this rather long sentence is the key word "unlike." This tells us that Matt is different from Tyler, the boy who enjoys being active and constantly busy. In other words, we're looking for a word that means the opposite of "busy," and that similarly describes calming activities like relaxing on the couch. The only correct answer choice is "leisure," which refers to time devoted to relaxation or calming activities. "Labor" means work when it is used as a noun or a verb, which is the opposite of what Matt likes to do. "Intensity" implies that something is powerful or extreme, so it is not a word that we would think of as describing someone lounging on the sofa. Finally, "honesty," which means truthfulness, has nothing to do with this sentence.

Example Question #179 : Sentence Completions

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

The teacher failed my essay because I copied it from the internet; the rules against __________ are rigidly enforced at my school.

Possible Answers:

qualms

atheism

magnates

plagiarism

amorphous

Correct answer:

plagiarism

Explanation:

When we copy from another person without giving them credit, it is called plagiarism.” To provide further help, a “magnate” is a successful businessman; “qualms” are issues we take with something; “atheism” is disbelief in gods; “amorphous” means without shape.

Example Question #180 : Sentence Completions

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

Queen Elizabeth I showed great __________ during times of conflict by keeping her people’s spirits high and demanding the best from her soldiers.

Possible Answers:

latency

improvement

truancy

frivolity

leadership

Correct answer:

leadership

Explanation:

The second part of the sentence tells us that Queen Elizabeth kept people’s spirits high and motivated the soldiers serving her. These are qualities of a good leader, so we can state that Queen Elizabeth I showed great “leadership.” To provide further help, “improvement” means made better; “frivolity” means playfulness; “truancy” means absence; “latency” means hidden potential.

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