ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Style, Intensity, and Connotation in Phrase-Based Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The editorial was cancelled and hastily rewritten __________.

Possible Answers:

to offend the newspaper's loyal readers

after new evidence came up

to respond to universal acclaim

after the newspaper was printed and delivered

with the luxury of sufficient time

Correct answer:

after new evidence came up

Explanation:

To begin with "hastily" means done with necessary speed and urgency. And, an "editorial" is an article in a newspaper in which the editor can be biased/can express his/her opinion. So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these is an answer choice that reflects a reason why an editorial might need to be quickly rewritten. The correct answer is therefore " . . . after new evidence came up." To provide further help, "sufficient" means enough; "offend" means insult, cause to feel upset and angry; "universal" means worldwide, without exception, the same everywhere; "acclaim" means praise.

Example Question #52 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

There is nothing more refreshing than __________.

Possible Answers:

hurting someone you love

being stuck in traffic

getting in a hot bath

a glass of water on a hot day

lying to a close friend

Correct answer:

a glass of water on a hot day

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to know the meaning of the word "refreshing." It means stimulating, providing something energizing or enjoyable. So, on a hot day a cool glass of water would be refreshing.

Example Question #53 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

__________ after he got into a fight at school.

Possible Answers:

He was prohibited from leaving the house

He was acclaimed by his peers

He was revered by the teachers

He was hired

He was rewarded by his mother

Correct answer:

He was prohibited from leaving the house

Explanation:

The boy got into a fight at school so it makes sense that he would face negative consequences. "Consequences" are the results of actions taken. The correct answer is "He was prohibited from leaving the house . . . " because this is a negative consequence. "Prohibited" means forbidden, not allowed. Additionally, "acclaimed" means celebrated, praised; "peers" means social equals, people in the same social group; "revered" means deeply respected

Example Question #54 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The ship sailed across the ocean __________.

Possible Answers:

studying philosophy and psychology

manufacturing goods

consuming goods

transporting goods

offering platitudes to close friends

Correct answer:

transporting goods

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices matches with something that a ship might do. The correct answer is therefore "transporting goods." To "transport" means to move from one place to another. Additionally, "consuming" means eating, using completely; "manufacturing" means making, making in a factory; "platitudes" are insincere comments meant to flatter; "philosophy" is the love of wisdom, studying the nature of things; "psychology" is the study of the human mind.

Example Question #55 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

When the fastball hit the man's leg, the bone did not merely break. It completely __________!

Possible Answers:

shattered

angled

cracked

fractured

bent

Correct answer:

shattered

Explanation:

This sentence uses an intensification between the first and the second sentence. This is indicated by the words "did not merely break." The implication is that it did more than break—it completely broke. The only option that has this sense of totally breaking (in a massive way) is "shatter." This is the best option among those given.

Example Question #56 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

I got lost __________.

Possible Answers:

so I called someone for help 

in spite of I called someone for help 

although I was never found 

however I was never found 

therefore I am never found 

Correct answer:

so I called someone for help 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to pay careful attention to the use of conjunctions. Conjunctions are words like "and," "but," and "although" that connect two parts of a sentence. In this instance the only conjunction and context that makes sense is " . . . so I called someone for help." The word "so" is used in situations where one thing happened which led to another thing happening. For example "I am very tired so I am going to sleep." 

Example Question #57 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The two beloved old friends had not seen each other for years and __________.

Possible Answers:

were disappointed to meet up 

were miserable with each other 

left each other alone 

were very excited to reconnect 

remembered their relationship with disgust 

Correct answer:

were very excited to reconnect 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices is most likely to represent how two beloved old friends might feel about seeing each other again. To help you "beloved" means loved dearly or deeply. The correct answer then is that they " . . . were very excited to see one another." Additionally, "miserable" means very sad; "disgust" is a feeling that something is gross, unpleasant, or offensive

Example Question #58 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

The girl was terrified of __________

Possible Answers:

having to watch a movie 

being completely satisfied 

feeling safe and loved 

living a happy life 

disappointing her parents 

Correct answer:

disappointing her parents 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you first need to know that "terrified" means very scared. So, which of these answers best represents something that would make someone feel very scared? The correct answer is, of course, " . . . disappointing her parents." To provide further help, "satisfied" means happy enough with, content with

Example Question #59 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

__________ and decided I had to practice more. 

Possible Answers:

I was paid in full for the work 

I was frustrated after losing my tennis match 

I went to see my old boyfriend 

I made a delicious dinner 

I was thrilled to leave my house 

Correct answer:

I was frustrated after losing my tennis match 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these answer choices describes a reason why someone might feel they need to practice more. The correct answer is therefore "I was frustrated after losing my tennis match . . . " Additionally, "thrilled" means very happy; "delicious" means tasty

Example Question #60 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Phrase Based Sentence Completions

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

__________ jobs are harder to find. 

Possible Answers:

The less time you spent working 

When the economy is bad 

After you have lots of experience 

After you have been to college 

When you are well-qualified 

Correct answer:

When the economy is bad 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine in which of these situations would a job be harder to find. The correct answer is therefore "When the economy is bad . . . " The answer choice "The less time you spent working . . . " does not quite fit the tense and structure of the sentence. If this was the correct answer the sentence would read "The less time you spent working the harder it will be for you to find a job." Notice how the difference in tense and word order changes the structure of the second part of the sentence. 

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