ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Verbs

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

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Example Questions

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Example Question #221 : Verbs

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

After the earthquake, the building __________, quickly collapsing inward and leaving behind only rubble.

Possible Answers:

vibrated

imploded

slipped

exploded

internalized

Correct answer:

imploded

Explanation:

The important thing to notice is that the building fell "inward." Therefore, its destruction definitely was not caused by an explosion—at least from what we can tell. Now, when we "internalize" something, we take it "within ourselves." Some people will "internalize" anger, getting a sore stomach instead of expressing their frustrations. This is not really a word for the destruction of a building, however. Instead, the best word is "implode." This is a kind of destruction that happens when something collapses inwardly. The "im-" prefix indicates that the direction is inward instead of outward (as in the prefix "ex-" in "explode.")

Example Question #222 : Verbs

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

Although Milton had been quite ignorant of the plight of the ducks in his city, he finally began to ___________ the danger that the little birds faced thanks to the changes in the water supply.

Possible Answers:

perceive

advocate

alert

judge

question

Correct answer:

perceive

Explanation:

The implication of the sentence is just that Milton began to understand the plight of the ducks in his town. When we perceive something, we come to understand it or to "see" it. So, you could say, "I could perceive that Georgette was angry." This means that you could "sense" or "see" that she was angry.

Example Question #223 : Verbs

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

Although Reginald could not complete ___________ the arguments, he was able to show many reasons why they were quite crazy.

Possible Answers:

dismiss

refute

understand

elongate

truncate

Correct answer:

refute

Explanation:

This sentence implies that Reginald couldn't completely disprove the arguments. He was only able to show reasons that they were crazy. When we "refute" something, we show why it is totally wrong or incorrect. Generally, we talk about refuting an argument or a viewpoint. 

Example Question #224 : Verbs

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

The king _____________ the knight from the hall, telling him to return to his duties outside of the castle.

Possible Answers:

berated

ejected

threw

punished

dismissed

Correct answer:

dismissed

Explanation:

All that we know in this sentence is that the king wants the knight to leave the hall and go back to his other duties. We do not know how this happened or even if it was a punishment. Therefore, the best option is the simple word "dismissed," which means to send away. The "dismissal" at the end of the school day is the time when the students are "sent away home." Clearly, these words are related.

Example Question #225 : Verbs

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

Since Jean-Pierre Reginald de Tours thought his name was too lengthy, he always _____________ it by using the letters J.P.R.T.

Possible Answers:

announced

signed

inscribed

wrote

abbreviated

Correct answer:

abbreviated

Explanation:

The whole point of the sentence is that the man's very long name was written in a shorter form. When we write something in a shorter form like this, we "abbreviate" it. The word "abbreviate" is related to "brief," meaning short. An abbreviation is a shortened form.

Example Question #226 : Verbs

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

With the large snowstorm approaching, it was necessary to ___________ extra water and food in the house in case the family was stranded for several days.

Possible Answers:

indicate

replace

regulate

store

purchase

Correct answer:

store

Explanation:

Really, all this sentence is stating is that it was necessary to keep extra food in the house. It is not talking about the actual buying of the food—that will be done elsewhere. Therefore, the simple verb "store" is the best option  It means "to keep a supply of something." Actually, we call the places we go shopping "stores" because they are places that keep large supplies of items.

Example Question #227 : Verbs

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

The scientist had to work for hours to _____________ the fluid, removing all of the harmful additives that it contained.

Possible Answers:

liquefy

intensify

scrub

minimize

purify

Correct answer:

purify

Explanation:

The key clue for this question is the fact that the scientist is working to remove all of the harmful substances in the fluid. This does not mean that he wants to "liquefy" it—it is already a liquid! Also, while he is minimizing the additives, this is not quite the same as saying that he is removing them. When we remove additives or other "extra" material from a substance, we purify that substance. That is what he is doing. Do not be tricked by "scrub." Scrubbing is a physical kind of cleaning that is very particular. It is not a synonym for the general act of purifying.

Example Question #228 : Verbs

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

Since he didn't want to be caught stealing the flower, the young man _____________ it under his jacket as he walked out of the store.

Possible Answers:

concealed

implanted

put

replicated

placed

Correct answer:

concealed

Explanation:

This sentence seems to indicate that the young man is putting the flower under his jacket. He wants to hide it here so that he does not get caught. When we "conceal" something, we hide it from others' vision. The options "put" and "placed" are broadly "correct." They are not the best options. The best option is the word "concealed" because it expresses the idea of trying to hide the object.

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