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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The massive plane was engineered to ___________ far above the normal cruising altitude for planes of its size.

Possible Answers:

meander

fly

elevate

soar

levitate

Correct answer:

soar

Explanation:

This sentence states that the very large plane was able to fly well above its normal altitude. While either "fly" or perhaps even "elevate" might work to express this general idea, the best option will be a word that expresses the idea of flying very high in the air. The word "soar" does just this, so it is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #72 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Daniel was afraid that he would be arrested for his action, for he was not certain whether or not it had been __________ for him to do it.

Possible Answers:

legal

understandable

acceptable

pardonable

foreseen

Correct answer:

legal

Explanation:

The key clue in this sentence is the fact that Daniel feared being arrested for his action. This implies that it might have been illegal. When something is "illegal," it is against the law. Likewise, something "legal" is lawful. He apparently doubts whether or not it was lawful. It is not merely a fear about it being acceptable!

Example Question #73 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Since he was so frightened by the loud sounds in the kitchen, the small child decided to go to his parents' bedroom to seek __________ from the fearful situation.

Possible Answers:

awareness

peace

vacation

refuge

consolation

Correct answer:

refuge

Explanation:

The expression "to seek refuge" means to go somewhere as a safe place. A "refuge" is a place that is safe from a particular kind of danger or fright. Now, perhaps the child wanted peace (or even consolation) by going to his parents' bedroom. It is, however, a slightly better option to choose "refuge", for he was clearly looking for a safe place. A refuge would provide just such safety.

Example Question #74 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Peter was sure that his little brother had __________ the story, for it seemed too spectacular to be true.

Possible Answers:

explained

remembered

delivered

invented

forgotten

Correct answer:

invented

Explanation:

Something that is "spectacular" is amazing and surprising. Peter thinks that his brother's story must be "made up"—it is too amazing actually to be true. Therefore, he must believe that his brother has invented the story. We often use the word "invent" to describe the process of making a device or a physical thing. We can also invent by "making" stories or ideas.

Example Question #75 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The ___________ steak made hissing and popping sounds as it lay on the grill above the hot coals.

Possible Answers:

elevated

cooking

burning

flaming

sizzling

Correct answer:

sizzling

Explanation:

For this sentence, pay close attention to your clues. The steak is described as hissing and popping. It is likely cooking, so in most situations, the word "cooking" would be the best option. The option "sizzling," however, provides an adjective that describes how something can be making the sounds that we hear when things are heated. This clue is the best. We do not know if it is burning or flaming. We certainly do know that it is making hissing and popping sounds.

Example Question #76 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Frightened by the sounds of the ghosts and the troll, the young prince ___________, unable to control his body's desire to express his fear.

Possible Answers:

screamed

shuddered

escaped

ran

fought

Correct answer:

shuddered

Explanation:

The best option will be a word that describes a kind of physical movement that expresses fear.  Now, running, screaming, or even escaping can express fear. Whenever someone shudders, he or she shakes or shivers because of fear. (At least, most of the time fear is involved.) Therefore, the best option for this sentence is the word "shudder" because it explicitly includes this element of fear.

Example Question #77 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The ___________ string trembled in the air.

Possible Answers:

delicate

swinging

thin

vibrating

wispy

Correct answer:

vibrating

Explanation:

This very short sentence requires you to be very careful about clues. Notice the word "trembled." Whenever something "trembles," it shakes. Now, don't be tempted to think that the string must be thin or small just because it is shaking. All we know is that it is shaking. Swinging things can be said to shake in some way. "Vibrating" is a better synonym for "shaking" than is "swinging."

Example Question #78 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although it didn't anger Lawrence, he was somewhat __________ by the clicking of Gerard's teeth when he chewed his food.

Possible Answers:

delighted

enchanted

irritated

enraptured

enraged

Correct answer:

irritated

Explanation:

On your own, you would likely choose a word like "annoyed" to describe Lawrence's state of mind. Since this is not an option, you need to have another word that expresses his slight anger. The word "irritated" does just this. When we "irritate" someone, we annoy him or her. An "irritation" is a minor annoyance. Gerard's clicking teeth were just a minor irritation for Lawrence, nothing more.

Example Question #79 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although the pain was only ____________, Thomas feared that it would grow and eventually become unbearable.

Possible Answers:

piercing

moderate

extreme

massive

throbbing

Correct answer:

moderate

Explanation:

Pay attention to the contrast that is expressed in this sentence. Thomas's pain must not be too bad right now. The two clues that help you to see this are "although" and "only." We don't know much about the particular kind of pain that he experiencing. By knowing that it is not bad, we know that it is "moderate."  

Example Question #80 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although the task was difficult, she was sure that she could ultimately ___________ and accomplish her goals.

Possible Answers:

rest

celebrate

reflect

relax

prevail

Correct answer:

prevail

Explanation:

The general idea is that the person involved will ultimately overcome her difficulties and achieve her desired goals. When we overcome difficulties like this, we "prevail over them." None of the other options express this idea of "conquering" difficult so as to achieve our goals.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors