All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
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.
exploded
slipped
vibrated
internalized
imploded
imploded
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.
judge
perceive
alert
question
advocate
perceive
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.
refute
understand
elongate
dismiss
truncate
refute
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.
punished
ejected
dismissed
berated
threw
dismissed
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.
signed
inscribed
announced
abbreviated
wrote
abbreviated
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.
replace
store
regulate
purchase
indicate
store
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.
scrub
minimize
intensify
purify
liquefy
purify
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.
concealed
placed
implanted
put
replicated
concealed
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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