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 #7 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

Rebecca has a _____ routine of going for a run every morning; she hasn't missed a single day in two years.

Possible Answers:

rigorous

ruthless

boring

weekly

passive

Correct answer:

rigorous

Explanation:

Rigorous means to be very strict and instense. Given that Rebecca hasn't missed a morning run in two years, she is very diligent and disciplined. The word that best fits the sentence to describe her in this way is rigorous. While ruthless means determined, it has a combative connotation, which is not appropriate for the sentence. 

Example Question #1 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

After less than a day of deliberation, the committee decided that Rachel's outlandish plan was simply not __________ enough to put into action.

Possible Answers:

extravagant

pointless

inadequate

sensible

compatible

Correct answer:

sensible

Explanation:

This sentence contains multiple context clues, any of which can be used to narrow down the answer choices. First, Rachel's plan was "outlandish," meaning it was ridiculous or at least strange. Even more helpful is the end of the sentence, where we're told that the plan was "not __________ enough" to use. So, we're looking for a positive quality that Rachel's plan must have been lacking. This allows us to eliminate "pointless" and "inadequate," which would both be negative qualities in a plan. Similarly, the committee would be unlikely to reject the proposal for not being "extravagant" enough, especially since we already know that it was "outlandish." "Compatible" refers to two things that can work together well, or two people that can get along together well, and since no two things are being compared in the sentence, "compatible" cannot be the correct answer. The final answer remaining is "sensible," which fits perfectly in this sentence.

Example Question #61 : Sentence Completions

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

A lover of __________, Mr. Jones goes to the same bagel shop every morning and orders the same thing.

Possible Answers:

independence

friends

life

lifestyle

routine

Correct answer:

routine

Explanation:

The key clue provided by this sentence is the fact that Mr. Jones goes to the same bagel shop every morning. Therefore, it can be inferred that he is a lover of "routine," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Gina couldn't see through the window, as it was __________ from all the dirt that had collected on it.

Possible Answers:

clear

opaque

brazen

obscure

translucent

Correct answer:

opaque

Explanation:

Here, the sentence plants the clue that because the window is very dirty, it is not possible to see through it. Thus, the best word to describe the window would be one that indicates its lack of clarity. "Opaque" means cloudy and nontransparent, so it is therefore the best word to complete the sentence. While "obscure" may seem like a potentially correct answer choice because the window is "obscuring" Gina's view, the window itself is not "obscure," which here means hidden or unknown. Similarly, since Gina cannot see through the window at all, we cannot accurately call it "translucent," since something translucent still lets some light through and can thus still be seen through somewhat.

Example Question #11 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

She hurt herself when she jumped into the pool because it was much too __________.

Possible Answers:

broad

convenient

supreme

opaque

shallow

Correct answer:

shallow

Explanation:

You would hurt yourself if you jumped into a pool and there was not much water there. When water is not deep, it's called “shallow.” “Supreme” means the best.

Example Question #12 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The hot air balloon __________, and its passengers were lifted into the sky.

Possible Answers:

dismissed

reported

ascended

wavered

reconsidered

Correct answer:

ascended

Explanation:

Because the hot air balloon went up into the sky, we can pick out “ascended” as the correct answer. The word “dismissed” means ignored an idea or sent away; “reported” means spoke, wrote, or told about.

Example Question #13 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Gina appeared very __________, wearing a long black dress and a serious expression.

Possible Answers:

approachable

neutral

angry

smart

somber

Correct answer:

somber

Explanation:

Gina is described as wearing "a long black dress," which is very formal, as well as "a serious expression." These circumstances indicate a distinct lack of playfulness. "Somber" means serious and lacking in humor. It fits the context of the sentence well, and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #14 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The princess lives a life of __________; she spends her mornings doing as she pleases and her afternoons being pampered. 

Possible Answers:

leisure

fantasy

hope

challenges

destitution

Correct answer:

leisure

Explanation:

Here, the sentence describes a princess who is pampered and is able to do as she pleases. "Leisure" refers to the ability to do whatever one wants with one's time, so a "life of leisure" would be one where one has no commitments such as a job. So, "leisure" is the answer choice that best fits the sentence's context.

Example Question #15 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Math wasn't Matt's best subject, so when his science class began to focus on mathematical __________ like graphs and averages, he had to work hard to understand them.

Possible Answers:

objects

procedures

ambitions

plans

concepts

Correct answer:

concepts

Explanation:

Classes usually focus on ideas or "concepts." This differs from "ambitions" (goals or things people want to achieve); "procedures," (systematic ways of doing things); "objects" (aims of plans or things); and "plans" (definite, often multi-step ideas about how to deal with or accomplish something).

Example Question #16 : Style, Intensity, And Connotation In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

I am __________ to spend many of my days sitting in the sun and reading; for me there is nothing more pleasurable in the world.

Possible Answers:

miserable

combative

willful

considerate

content

Correct answer:

content

Explanation:

“Content” is the correct answer because it means satisfied with the way things are.

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