All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #661 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Laws have to be __________, because if no one can make people obey them, they won't make any difference to a state or country.
enforceable
tasty
conniving
contradictory
selfish
enforceable
We can infer that we need to pick out a verb that means something like "make people obey," because "if no one can make people obey them, they won't make any difference to a state or country." "Contradictory" may look like a potentially correct answer, but "contradictory" means "containing elements which are inconsistent or in conflict," so it would not make sense to claim that "laws have to be contradictory." "Enforceable," however, is an adjective that means "able to have someone compel observance of or compliance with (a law, rule, or obligation)," and because "enforceable" best describes a necessary quality of laws, "enforceable" is the correct answer.
Example Question #662 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Many reptiles living in the deserts of the southwest United States have developed specific water-retention adaptations that allow them to survive in the __________ heat.
brisk
unpopular
quiet
sweltering
understated
sweltering
We can infer that because the sentence is specifically discussing reptiles that "liv[e] in the deserts of the southwest United States," that the "heat" in that environment is extreme. So, we need to pick out an adjective to describe the intense heat one experiences in the desert. "Brisk" may look like a potentially correct answer because it can be used to describe weather, but "brisk" actually means "cold but fresh and enlivening" when it is used to describe the weather or wind. So, "brisk" cannot be the correct answer because we need a word to describe the desert's intense heat. "Sweltering," however, is an adjective that means "uncomfortably hot," and because "sweltering" is the answer choice that best describes the intense heat one experiences in the deserts in the southwest United States," "sweltering" is the correct answer."
Example Question #663 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Jenna worked __________ on her project, not stopping for any distractions or taking any unnecessary breaks; as a result, she finished it two days before it was due.
lazily
distractedly
industriously
wearily
preparedly
industriously
Because we know that Jenna "[did] not [stop] for any distractions or tak[e] any unnecessary breaks" while working on her project, we can infer that we need to pick out a word that means something like "with dedication, effort, and attention" to describe the way she worked. "Distractedly" cannot be the correct answer because we know that Jenna did not stop "for any distractions," and neither "lazily" nor "wearily" can be correct either because neither of those words mean "with dedication, effort, and attention." "Industriously," however, means "diligently" or "characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking," so "industriously" is the correct answer because it best fits the sentence's context.
Example Question #662 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The student was __________ and refused to complete his writing assignment during class.
tired
compliant
defiant
compassionate
studious
defiant
If the student refused to complete their classwork, it means that they were defiant or resistant.
Example Question #663 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Lydia found her favorite author's latest book so __________ that almost forgot to go to lunch and asked to stay inside during recess to read.
forgetful
meticulous
boring
engrossing
unstable
engrossing
Because we know that Lydia "almost forgot to go to lunch and asked to stay inside during recess to read," we can infer that we need to pick out a word that means something like "very interesting" to describe the book she's reading. "Meticulous" may look like a good answer choice because "meticulous" means "showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise," but while Lydia may very well be reading meticulously, "meticulous" does not mean the same thing as "very interesting," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Engrossing," however, when used as an adjective, means "absorbing all one's attention or interest," and is the correct answer because it makes the most sense in the sentence's context.
Example Question #664 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Certain __________ snakes have evolved natural defense mechanisms that rely on mimicking the appearance of poisonous species so that predators leave them alone, believing them to be dangerous when they are not.
imaginary
deadly
lethal
harmless
loud
harmless
Because we know that the snakes that mimic the poisonous species get predators to "[believe] them to be dangerous when they are not," we can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice which is an adjective and means something like "not dangerous." So, neither "lethal" or "deadly" can be the correct answer because each of those words means "dangerous"—specifically, something so dangerous it can kill something or someone—and we need to pick out a word that means "not dangerous." "Harmless," an adjective that means "not able or likely to cause harm" or "inoffensive," best fits the sentence's context, so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #665 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The art historian was extremely __________; after carefully reviewing a painting's details, she could discern whether it was authentic or a fake due to her knowledge of the works of famous artists.
practical
insightful
obdurate
overt
dull
insightful
We know that the art historian was able to "carefully [review]" a painting and "discern whether it was authentic or a fake" due to her "insight"; so, we need to pick out a word that means something like "discerning." "Dull" can't be the correct answer, then, because when "dull" is used to describe a person, it means "slow to understand; stupid," a description which does not fit the art historian. "Insightful," however, is an adjective that means "having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive," and because it is the answer choice that best describes the art historian and best fits the context of the sentence, "insightful" is the correct answer.
Example Question #666 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The hot day was made worse when a slight breeze picked up and blew the __________ scent of rotting garbage into the town from the dump located just outside it.
merry
prized
soft
enjoyable
putrid
putrid
We can infer that we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "disgusting" or "gross" and can refer to scents because the sentence is describing the smell of rotting garbage. "Enjoyable," then, cannot be the correct answer, because the smell of rotting garbage is typically perceived by most people as gross, not enjoyable. "Putrid," however, is an adjective that means either "decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell" when referring to organic matter, or "of or characteristic of rotting matter," or, informally, "very unpleasant; repulsive." Because "putrid" is the answer choice that best describes the smell of the rotting garbage, "putrid" is the correct answer.
Example Question #667 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Having practiced softball for months, Julie felt __________ when she saw that her name was not on the list of girls picked to be on the team.
jubilant
ecstatic
forlorn
blissful
forlorn
"Ecstatic," "jubilant," and "blissful" all mean happy, and "forlorn" means sad. After months of practice, it would make sense that Julie would feel sad not to make the softbal team, so "forlorn" is the correct answer.
Example Question #668 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Wrapped in a large scarf, a pair of thick mittens, a wool coat, thick boots, and a warm hat, Francine felt __________ even while trudging through snowdrifts on her way home.
indisposed
laughable
openminded
exposed
snug
snug
We can infer that Francine should feel warm and cozy because she was "[w]rapped in a large scarf, a pair of thick mittens, a wool coat, thick boots, and a warm hat" on her walk home. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "warm and cozy." "Exposed" cannot be the correct answer, then, because being wrapped in all that winter gear, it wouldn't make sense for Francine to feel exposed, or "not shielded or protected; also : not insulated." "Snug," however, is an adjective that means "comfortable, warm, and cozy; well protected from the weather or cold," and because "snug" best describes Francine on her walk home in her scarf, mittens, coat, boots, and hat, "snug" is the correct answer.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor