ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Sentence Completions

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

The boy and girl were suspended for pulling a __________ on the first day of school.

Possible Answers:

homage 

bargain 

skeptic 

captive 

hoax 

Correct answer:

hoax 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answers is something that might lead two students to get suspended from school. The correct answer is therefore "hoax." A "hoax" is a trick pulled to try and deceive people, a practical joke. Additionally, a "skeptic" is someone who doubts something, a non-believer; a "captive" is a prisoner; "homage" is respect, a certain honor paid to someone well-regarded; a "bargain" is something cheaper than expected, to "bargain" means to negotiate, to try and get better terms for oneself

Example Question #252 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ of the British Queen Victoria lasted for over sixty years. 

Possible Answers:

nostalgia

deception

reign

accord

piety

Correct answer:

reign

Explanation:

This sentence describes the rule of a monarch, specifically the British Queen Victoria. The rule of a King or Queen is known as a "reign." Additionally, "nostalgia" is wishful thinking about the past, remembering the past fondly with a hint of sadness; "accord" means peace, harmony, and agreement; "deception" is trickery, the act of lying to others in order to trick them; "piety" is deep religious belief.

Example Question #253 : Sentence Completions

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

He was able to defeat his __________ using his significant speed advantage.

Possible Answers:

antagonist

guardian

deputy

protagonist

kin

Correct answer:

antagonist

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that means opponent, rival in a competition. The correct answer is "antagonist." Although "antagonist" means simply rival, opponent, adversary, it is most commonly used to mean villain in a piece of literature or a movie. Additionally, "protagonist" means hero, particularly in a piece of literature or a film; a person's "kin" is their family, their relatives; a "guardian" is a protector, someone who defends or looks after something; a "deputy" is an assistant, a second-in-command.

Example Question #254 : Sentence Completions

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

On the last day of school the three friends made a(n) __________ that they would stay friends forever.

Possible Answers:

audience

oath

kinship

accomplice

tradition

Correct answer:

oath

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a promise made between people about future behavior. So, the correct answer is an "oath" which means a pledge, a promise, a vow. Additionally, an "audience" is a group of people who watches a performance; an "accomplice" is someone who helps someone commit a crime; a "tradition" is a long-lasting cultural belief, a social practice passed down from previous generations; "kinship" means family relationship

Example Question #255 : Sentence Completions

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

The governor issued __________ to all criminals who had been wrongly convicted before he came to office.

Possible Answers:

pardons

reprimands

summons

vows

mandates

Correct answer:

pardons

Explanation:

If people had been wrongly "convicted" (found guilty of and put in jail) then it makes sense that the governor would legally forgive them, release them from guilt. A "pardon" is a formal statement that releases someone from guilt. To "pardon" means to forgive, to show mercy to. Additionally, "summons" are orders to appear somewhere; "mandates" are official orders and instructions; "vows" are promises; "reprimands" are official scoldings and punishments.

Example Question #256 : Sentence Completions

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

They went to the __________ to pick apples.

Possible Answers:

basement

metropolis

marina

vehicle

orchard

Correct answer:

orchard

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these nouns describes a place where someone might go to pick apples. An "orchard" is a place where fruit trees are planted and raised. Additionally, "marina" means harbor, place where boats are kept; "metropolis" means city; a "vehicle" is a machine that transports people or things, like a car.

Example Question #257 : Sentence Completions

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

He has the __________ to make the rules. 

Possible Answers:

severity 

authority 

atrocity 

dishonesty 

abundance 

Correct answer:

authority 

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence is able to make the rules so he must be in a position of "authority." "Authority" means the power or capability of making rules and laws. Additionally, "abundance" means the quality of having more than enough of something; "severity" means harshness; "dishonesty" means the action of lying; an "atrocity" is a terrible action committed by some people

Example Question #258 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ was mined for stone and marble.

Possible Answers:

pastor

fatality

quarry

neighborhood

victim

Correct answer:

quarry

Explanation:

A "mine" where things like marble and stone are found and mined is called a "quarry." Additionally, "fatality" means death; a "pastor" is a religious leader; a "victim" is a person who has suffered or been attacked; a "neighborhood" is a community of people who live close together.

Example Question #259 : Sentence Completions

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

He found the puzzle __________ and could not complete it.

Possible Answers:

illicit

frightened

perplexing

futile

pathetic

Correct answer:

perplexing

Explanation:

If the subject of this sentence could not "complete" (finish) the puzzle it makes sense to suppose that he found it confusing, bewildering, puzzling. The correct answer then is "perplexing." Additionally, "frightened" means scared; "futile" means pointless, meaningless; "illicit" means illegal or against the rules; "pathetic" means not impressive at all, deserving of pity.

Example Question #260 : Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

I have a(n) __________ that he is guilty, but I need more proof to be certain.

Possible Answers:

hunch

loathing

euphoria

misery

burden

Correct answer:

hunch

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence is not certain that the man is guilty, but thinks that he is. When you have a suspicion or feeling based on intuition that something is true you have a "hunch." Additionally, "misery" is great sadness; "loathing" is deep hatred; "euphoria" is great happiness; a "burden" is something difficult that a person has to deal with.

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