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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

She was __________ by the difficult puzzle in the newspaper.

Possible Answers:

severed

baffled

beloved

dismissed

urged

Correct answer:

baffled

Explanation:

The puzzle is described as "difficult," so it makes sense that the subject would be confused by it. So, the correct answer is "baffled," which means confused. Something that is "baffling" is confusing and difficult to finish because it is so hard. Additionally, "severed" means cut; "urged" means encouraged; "dismissed" means sent away; "beloved" means cherished, widely loved and admired.

Example Question #32 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Even though she was eighteen, her parents would not let her drive because they did not think she was __________ enough. 

Possible Answers:

hopeless

passionate

deluded

nocturnal

mature

Correct answer:

mature

Explanation:

The girl is legally old enough to drive, but her parents still will not let her. To solve this problem then you have to determine which of these answer choices is an adjective that describes a quality that would encourage someone's parents to let them do things. The correct answer is "mature," which means fully developed mentally and physically, grown-up, capable of taking care of oneself. Additionally, "nocturnal" means sleeping during the day, being awake at night; "passionate" means showing strong feelings; "deluded" means holding a mistaken belief, confused about the truth; "hopeless" means without hope.

Example Question #33 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The rescuers searched desperately through the __________ to find any survivors.

Possible Answers:

debris

banquet

prey

migrant

harbor

Correct answer:

debris

Explanation:

To solve this problem you have to determine which of these is an answer that describes something that rescuers might search through to find people after a disaster. The correct answer is "debris" which means the remains of something that has collapsed or been destroyed. Additionally, a "banquet" is a feast; a "harbor" is a place where ships are docked; a "migrant" is a person who moves from one place to another; "prey" is something that is being hunted by something else.

Example Question #34 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The angry man had to be __________ by his friends to prevent him from attacking someone else at the party.

Possible Answers:

compelled

ransacked

infested

contradicted

restrained

Correct answer:

restrained

Explanation:

If the man was thinking of doing something foolish and aggressive like attacking someone else, it makes sense that his friends would try to prevent him and hold him back. The correct answer is therefore "restrained" which means to be prevented from doing something, to be held back from causing trouble. Additionally, "infested" means made sick with; "ransacked" means searched and plundered recklessly; "compelled" means forced to do; "contradicted" means argued against.

Example Question #35 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After the eruption of the volcano the whole surrounding area was __________ in dust.

Possible Answers:

rotated

intercepted

spurred

illuminated

shrouded

Correct answer:

shrouded

Explanation:

After a volcanic eruption it makes sense that the surrounding area would be completely covered in dust. So, the correct answer is "shrouded." Other synonyms of "shrouded" include veiled, concealed, hidden, covered by. Additionally, "intercepted" means stopped, prevented from continuing; "illuminated" means lit up; "spurred" means encouraged, urged; "rotated" means turned.

Example Question #36 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The mouse __________ with fear as the cat loomed over, ready for the kill.

Possible Answers:

quivered

soothed

demonstrated

jostled

taunted

Correct answer:

quivered

Explanation:

An animal that is about to be eaten by another animal would presumably be shaking with complete fear. So, the answer is "quivered." To "quiver" means to tremble, to shake with fear. Additionally, "taunted" means mocked, teased, made fun of; "soothed" means calmed, helped to feel better; "jostled" means bumped into, fought lightly with; "demonstrated" means showed.

Example Question #37 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

He had completely forgotten to prepare for the speech so when he got up on stage he had to __________.

Possible Answers:

heckle

speculate

insulate

improvise

jeer

Correct answer:

improvise

Explanation:

You are told that the subject is not prepared for his speech. So, the correct answer should refer to a verb that means to perform something without preparation. The correct answer is therefore "improvise." To "improvise" means to do something without having prepared, to make something up on the spot. Additionally, "insulate" means wrap something to protect from the influence of outside sources; "speculate" means guess, estimate; "heckle" means to interrupt a performer and mock them, to boo someone on stage; "jeer" means to mock, to make fun of.

Example Question #38 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

He triggered a(n) __________ when he fired his gun in close proximity to the herd of animals.

Possible Answers:

skirmish

venture

stampede

conglomeration

expedition

Correct answer:

stampede

Explanation:

To begin with "proximity" means in the general area of. So, being in "close proximity" means being physically close to. If someone fired a gun when they were close to a group of animals it makes sense that the animals would flee as a group in a sudden and panicked fashion. The correct answer is therefore "stampede" which means a sudden, terrified fleeing of a group of animals from a perceived danger. Additionally, an "expedition" is a synonym of "venture," both words mean a journey or mission of discovery; a "skirmish" is a small battle, usually before a larger battle; a "conglomeration" is a group of smaller things put together to form a larger combination.

Example Question #39 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The two combatants finally resolved their __________ after years of bitter fighting.

Possible Answers:

custody

feud

peninsula

incentive

sanctuary

Correct answer:

feud

Explanation:

To begin with "combatants" are people engaged in a conflict. Based on the context of this sentence and the intensity of words like "bitter" the correct answer must mean something like a long-running disagreement, a long-term conflict. The correct answer is therefore "feud." Other synonyms of "feud" include "dispute," "fight," "disagreement." Additionally, "incentive" means motivation, reason for doing something; a "sanctuary" is a safe place, a refuge; "custody" means protective care, the guardianship and ownership of something; a "peninsula" means a piece of land almost completely surrounded by water.

Example Question #40 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The two unemployed and infirm men lived together in filth and __________.

Possible Answers:

squalor

glamor

treachery

intrigue

triumph

Correct answer:

squalor

Explanation:

The two men are described as "unemployed and infirm" which means not working and sick. Furthermore, their home is described as one of "filth" and something else. Based on the context that something else probably relates very closely to "filth." The correct answer is therefore "squalor" which means the condition of being dirty, foul and filthy, usually as a result of extreme poverty. Additionally, "triumph" is victory, success; "intrigue" is interest, fascination, something secretive and interesting; "treachery" is betrayal, disloyalty; "glamor" is attraction, charm

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