ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #461 : Sentence Completions

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

The audience __________ at the spectacular performance.

Possible Answers:

marveled

slept

jeered

derided

moaned

Correct answer:

marveled

Explanation:

To begin with "spectacular" means awesome to witness, incredible to see. So, if the the performance was "spectacular" it makes sense that the audience would "marvel" at it. To "marvel" is to feel wonder, awe, and astonishment. Additionally, "moaned" means complained, whined, expressed pain or irritation; "jeered" means booed, expressed disapproval; "derided" means mocked, made fun of.

Example Question #462 : Sentence Completions

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

He felt very sad and could not stop __________ at the funeral.

Possible Answers:

estimating

weeping

lying

giggling

dodging

Correct answer:

weeping

Explanation:

You are told that the subject is very sad and at a funeral so it would make sense for him not to be able to stop crying. The correct answer is therefore "weeping" which means to cry intensely. Additionally, "giggling" means laughing; "estimating" means guessing; "dodging" means avoiding, getting out of the way of.

Example Question #463 : Sentence Completions

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

Although the two candidates are supposed to be having a reasonable __________, it sounds more like a passionate argument.

Possible Answers:

rebellion

debate

outcome

ailment

hindrance

Correct answer:

debate

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer means something like a reasoned argument. The correct answer is therefore "debate." A "debate" is a formalized discussion in which two people present opposing arguments. Additionally, a "rebellion" is an act of resistance, refusing to follow the rules, or trying to overthrow the government; a "hindrance" is something that gets in the way, an obstacle; an "ailment" is a sickness; an "outcome" is a result.

Example Question #464 : Sentence Completions

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

The shopkeeper had to renovate his store after it was __________.

Possible Answers:

vandalized

buttressed

released

mourned

replenished

Correct answer:

vandalized

Explanation:

To solve this problem you first need to know that "renovate" means to repair a building, to restore something to its earlier condition. So, if the shopkeeper needs to make repairs it makes sense that his store was damaged. The correct answer is therefore "vandalized." To "vandalize" means to destroy someone's property. The word, interestingly, comes from a Germanic tribe that destroyed the city of Rome roughly fifteen hundred years ago - The Vandals. Additionally, to "replenish" means to restock, to fill something up again; to "mourn" means to express sadness about a loss; to "buttress" means to support; to "release" means to let go of, to set free.

Example Question #465 : Sentence Completions

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

I am trying to __________ my appearance so as to seem more professional.

Possible Answers:

accommodate

accompany

attend

alter

attach

Correct answer:

alter

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence wants to seem more professional so it makes sense that they would want to change or "alter" their appearance. "Alter" means change, edit, adjust. Additionally, "attend" means be present at, go to; to "accompany" means to go with someone; "attach" means join, connect to; "accommodate" means help, assist, meet the needs of.

Example Question #466 : Sentence Completions

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

The cat __________ in the shadows, waiting to pounce on its prey.

Possible Answers:

trembled

sheltered

lurked

murdered

advised

Correct answer:

lurked

Explanation:

You know that the cat is waiting to attack its prey so the verb you are looking for must relate to hiding or waiting in the shadows. The correct answer is therefore "lurked." To "lurk" means to hide and wait to attack something. Additionally, to "shelter" means to provide a home for; to "murder" means to kill; to "tremble" means to shake (usually with fear); to "advise" means to offer help or suggestions.

Example Question #467 : Sentence Completions

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

The captives are __________ a plan to escape.

Possible Answers:

vanishing

eroding

devising

wrecking

permitting

Correct answer:

devising

Explanation:

To begin with "captives" are prisoners. Based on the context of this sentence you know that the verb you are looking for must mean something like coming up with, making. So, the correct answer is "devising." To "devise" means to come up with, to plan, to make. Additionally, to "erode" means to wear down over time; to "vanish" means to disappear; to "wreck" means to destroy; to "permit" means to allow.

Example Question #468 : Sentence Completions

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

The winning team finally __________ over their rivals when they scored in overtime.

Possible Answers:

succumbed

prevailed

engorged

implored

jockeyed

Correct answer:

prevailed

Explanation:

The team is described as "winning" and you are told that they scored in overtime, so it makes sense that they triumphed, defeated, won. The correct answer is therefore "prevailed." To "prevail" means to triumph, to overcome, to win. Additionally, to "jockey" is to compete for position; to "implore" means to beg, to urge; to "succumb" means to give in to, to fail to resist any more; to "engorge" means to fill with liquid, often blood or water.

Example Question #469 : Sentence Completions

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

We have run out of eggs, so I am running to the store to __________ our stock.

Possible Answers:

exterminate

annihilate

rectify

replenish

harass

Correct answer:

replenish

Explanation:

The speaker notes that his family has run out of eggs, so it would make sense that he would go to the store to replace, restock, fill up their supply. The correct answer is therefore "replenish." Additionally, "exterminate" and "annihilate" both mean to kill or to completely destroy; "rectify" means fix; "harass" means irritate, bother, annoy.

Example Question #470 : Sentence Completions

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

The man was __________ by the sudden loud sound.

Possible Answers:

startled

submerged

commenced

cherished

chortled

Correct answer:

startled

Explanation:

A sudden loud sound would probably be shocking, unsettling, disturbing. So, the correct answer is "startled." If you have been "startled" you have been shocked and surprised by something sudden. Additionally, "cherish" means love and adore; "chortle" means laugh at; "submerged" means under water; "commence" means begin, start.

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