ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #318 : Word Based Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The Thirteenth Amendment __________ slavery; it got rid of it all together.

Possible Answers:

kept

emptied

abolished

allowed

Correct answer:

abolished

Explanation:

The correct answer is "abolished." To "abolish" something means to formally get rid of it. The sentence tells us that the Thirteenth Amendment "got rid of [slavery] altogether," so "abolished" is the best answer.

Example Question #41 : Verbs

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

After watching a documentary, Emma learned that one of the signs that someone is a bully is that they always __________ other people.

Possible Answers:

support

appreciate

taunt

help

Correct answer:

taunt

Explanation:

The correct answer is "taunt." Taunt means mock, tease, or make fun of. This is something that bullies do. The rest are all positive words which do not have to do with bullying.

Example Question #42 : Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

The winner of the prestigious award __________ it to his mother, who was always there for him and supported him.

Possible Answers:

dedicated

kept

gave

alienated

Correct answer:

dedicated

Explanation:

The correct answer is "dedicated." To "dedicate" something to someone means to honor that person by attributing that thing to them. "Gave" can make sense in this sentence, but "dedicated" is the best answer.

Example Question #43 : Verbs

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

Slowly making his way across the street, the tortoise __________ to a patch of lettuce growing on the other side.

Possible Answers:

whizzes

speeds

plods

hustles

Correct answer:

plods

Explanation:

The clue in this sentence is the word "slowly." You need a synonym for a verb that means to move slowly. "Plods" works for that, as "plod" means move somewhere by taking slow steps. "Hustles," "speeds," and "whizzes" all mean moves quickly, so none of those answer choices make sense in the sentence.

Example Question #44 : Verbs

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

Human beings have already __________ through so many disasters, it will take something massive to finish us off.

Possible Answers:

sprinted

ran

bolted

meandered

survived

Correct answer:

survived

Explanation:

The sentence tells us that it will take a great deal to kill off human beings, so the correct answer must resemble continuing to live. This should lead you to the correct answer, which is survived. To further help you, meandered means moved without goal or purpose; bolted and sprinted are synonyms and both mean ran very fast.

Example Question #45 : Verbs

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

It is difficult to __________ to do anything in this city if you do not have any money.

Possible Answers:

address

forbid

suspend

afford

relax

Correct answer:

afford

Explanation:

The context of the sentence tells us that one cannot do anything in this city if one does not have money. Afford means being able to buy something. To further help you, forbid means not allow; suspend means pause; address means talk to.

Example Question #46 : Verbs

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

People __________ my new hairstyle; it hurt my feelings, but to be honest, I do look a bit funny.

Possible Answers:

mimicked

lauded

mocked

praised

imitated

Correct answer:

mocked

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence you can guess that people probably made fun of the author’s new hairstyle. This should lead you to the correct answer, mocked. Mocked means made fun of or teased. To further help you, imitated and mimicked are synonyms that both mean copied; lauded and praised are synonyms that both mean said good things about.

Example Question #47 : Verbs

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

You need to __________ more effort if you are ever going to finish your essay.

Possible Answers:

harangue

depict

exert

imply

suspend

Correct answer:

exert

Explanation:

To exert means to make an effort or to try very hard. To further help you, imply means suggest; depict means show or represent; harangue means lecture or tell-off; suspend means pause.

Example Question #48 : Verbs

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 



I need a map to __________ these unknown roads.

Possible Answers:

protect

exalt

imagine

navigate

decline

Correct answer:

navigate

Explanation:

You use a map when you need to find the right route. Another term meaning to find the right route is to navigate. To further help you, protect means look after or defend; exalt means celebrate or praise; decline means refuse.

Example Question #49 : Verbs

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

I __________ dogs to cats; dogs are just friendlier and more likable. 

Possible Answers:

prepare

surprise

proceed

enjoy

prefer

Correct answer:

prefer

Explanation:

The context of the sentence tells us that the author likes dogs more than cats. When we are comparing two things and want to say we like one more than the other, we use the word “prefer.” If I "prefer" dogs to cats, I like dogs more than cats. To further help you, "prepare" means to make ready; "proceed" means to continue or to go on

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