ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Context Clues in Word-Based Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #105 : Sentence Completions

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

The little girl sat comfortably atop the __________ horse.

Possible Answers:

colossal

titanic

miniature

tremendous

gargantuan

Correct answer:

miniature

Explanation:

In order for the little girl to be comfortable atop a horse it makes the most sense if the horse is also small. Of these answer choices only "miniature" means very small. The other four answers are all synonyms that mean very large.

Example Question #106 : Sentence Completions

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

A __________ of locusts descended on the rural community and destroyed most of the crops.

Possible Answers:

swarm

reign

wordsmith

benchmark

festival

Correct answer:

swarm

Explanation:

To begin with a "locust" is an insect that moves in large numbers and consumes crops and other plant life in destructive quantities. In this sentence you are told that the locusts destroyed most of the crops in the rural community so they must have moved in large numbers. The correct answer is therefore "swarm" which means a large group of animals, particularly insects. To "swarm" means to move in large numbers. Additionally, a "reign" is the rule of a King or Queen; a "wordsmith" is someone who has a way with words, someone who can use complicated words correctly; a "benchmark" is a point of reference, some record used as an indicator of progression; a "festival" is a fair, a day of celebration, a party

Example Question #107 : Sentence Completions

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

The battery on her laptop was __________, so she had to go buy a new one.

Possible Answers:

requested

depleted

brandished

mourned

obtained

Correct answer:

depleted

Explanation:

If the girl had to go buy a new laptop battery it makes sense that her old one was either broken or had run out of power. The correct answer must mean one of these definitions. Therefore the correct answer is "depleted" which means used up, exhausted, having no more energy or power. Additionally, to "obtain" means to get, to acquire; to "mourn" means to express sadness over the loss of; "request" means ask for; "brandish" means flourish, wave about

Example Question #108 : Sentence Completions

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

The family was __________ when their favorite team won the World Series.

Possible Answers:

penniless

indignant

elated

dismayed

perilous

Correct answer:

elated

Explanation:

One's favorite team winning the World Series is an event that would cause great joy and happiness. So, the correct answer is "elated." "Elation" is another word for joy, great happiness. Additionally, "perilous" means dangerous; "penniless" means very poor, having nothing; "dismayed" means disappointed, shocked, discouraged; "indignant" means feeling angered by unfair treatment, offended.

Example Question #109 : Sentence Completions

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

After several years of __________ work the team of researchers finally found the answer they were looking for.

Possible Answers:

jittery

reckless

rural

diligent

irksome

Correct answer:

diligent

Explanation:

The researchers carried out their work for several years before they found the answer they were looking for. Based on this intensity it makes sense to use the adjective "diligent" to describe their work. "Diligent" means having great care for one's work, showing great effort in one's work, industrious, painstaking. Additionally, "rural" means related to the countryside not towns and cities; "reckless" means careless, dangerous; "irksome" means annoying, irritating; "jittery" means nervous, shaky

Example Question #110 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ parents were reluctant to let their child play sports for fear that he might hurt himself.

Possible Answers:

wretched

chubby

quaint

wry

cautious

Correct answer:

cautious

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence the parents could probably best be described as careful, alert, mindful of possible dangers. So, the correct answer is "cautious." To be "cautious" means to not task risks, to be concerned with safety, to be very careful. Additionally, "chubby" means a little fat; "quaint" means old-fashioned and somewhat appealing; "wry" means ironic, witty, funny and sarcastic; "wretched" means in a very poor condition, miserable

Example Question #111 : Sentence Completions

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

He was totally __________ in the movie and did not notice when the phone rang. 

Possible Answers:

enlisted

engrossed 

abridged 

unveiled 

concealed 

Correct answer:

engrossed 

Explanation:

If the man did notice when his phone rang then he must have been paying very close attention to the movie and been completely engaged by it. To solve this problem you need to identify a verb that matches with this intensity. The correct answer is therefore "engrossed." To be "engrossed" means to be completely absorbed in something, to be riveted, to give all of one's attention to one thing. Additionally, "concealed" means hidden; "unveiled" means revealed, shown; "enlisted" means joined, as in joined a group, most commonly it means joined the army; "abridged" means edited and shortened

Example Question #112 : Sentence Completions

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

They called in a decorator to __________ the living room. 

Possible Answers:

relegate

refurbish

replenish

recall

reprimand

Correct answer:

refurbish

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence the verb must relate to some action that a decorator might do to a room. The correct answer is therefore "refurbish" which means (of a building or room) to redo something, to renovate something, to make changes to design and furniture. Additionally, "recall" means remember, bring to mind; "replenish" means to fill something up again; "reprimand" means scold, tell off, officially punish; "relegate" means downgrade to a lower position, lower the position of.

Example Question #113 : Sentence Completions

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

She was very __________ in the local community and many people supported her when she decided to run for office. 

Possible Answers:

infamous 

grotesque 

prominent 

uptight 

rigid 

Correct answer:

prominent 

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that describes a positive trait that would inspire people to vote for someone. The correct answer is therefore "prominent" which means well known, noticeable, important. Additionally, "grotesque" means gross, disgusting, unattractive; "infamous" means famous for the wrong reasons; "rigid" means firm, stern, harsh, fixed; "uptight" means tense and incapable of relaxing, not fun to be around

Example Question #114 : Sentence Completions

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

His hands were __________ from years of working in the fields with his bare hands.

Possible Answers:

serene

adamant

dainty

calloused

cryptic

Correct answer:

calloused

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these answer choices is an adjective that describes a consequence of manual labor. Manual labor, or anything in which the hands or feet are used excessively, results in "calloused" hands. "Calloused" means hardened, tough (skin). Additionally, "adamant" means insistent, not able to be persuaded to change one's mind; "cryptic" means mysterious; "serene" means quite, peaceful, tranquil; "dainty" means soft, delicate.

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