ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Parts of Speech in Word-Based Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

She was still hungry after dinner because she had to share some of her __________ of ham with her younger sister.

Possible Answers:

size

food

portion

location

consolation

Correct answer:

portion

Explanation:

The word “portion” is used to describe an amount of something, like a “portion” of ice cream. The word “consolation” is something you get to make up for something else you missed out on;  a “location” is a place where something is. "Food" may look like a potentially correct answer, but saying "food of ham" doesn't make sense, so "food" cannot be correct.

Example Question #92 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

He knew that his friend was in __________, so he rushed over to warn him of the danger.

Possible Answers:

jeopardy

envy

bewilderment

triumph

force

Correct answer:

jeopardy

Explanation:

If you are in danger, you can also be said to be in “jeopardy.” The word “envy” means jealousy or wanting something someone else has; “triumph” means win; "bewilderment" means confusion, and "force" means power or strength.

Example Question #93 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The ___________ of the project were listed clearly at the top of the page, detailing the different topics each report would need to include and the number of pages each report would need to fill.

Possible Answers:

functions

syllabus

duties

requirements

assignment

Correct answer:

requirements

Explanation:

The most likely answer is "requirements" since they detail the necessary aspects or parts of the project. "Functions" are abilities; "duties" are tasks; an "assignment" is a project; and a "syllabus" is a paper conveying a plan for a class to be taught, often including the topics that a class will cover and any assignments and tests that will be given.

Example Question #94 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

There seemed to be no ___________ that could remedy the problem of wild animals eating their garden.

Possible Answers:

criticism

explanation

solution

awareness

issue

Correct answer:

solution

Explanation:

The people most likely want to "solve" the problem of wild animals eating their garden, so they are looking for a "solution." This differs from the other answer choices: an "explanation" is a clarification to make something clear; an "issue" is a problem; "criticism" is analysis; and "awareness" is the state of being conscious of something.

Example Question #234 : Word Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Artists have historically been drawn to Giverny, outside of Paris, owing to its beauty and its __________ as the inspiration for many of Claude Monet's paintings.

Possible Answers:

heritage

donation

notoriety

aroma

era

Correct answer:

heritage

Explanation:

Your task here is to identify what word would best fit in the context of this sentence, which tells us why a certain place named Giverny is a popular place for artists to come to, both for its physical attractiveness and for something having to do with the Impressionist painter Claude Monet.  

Neither "aroma" (a smell) nor donation (a charitable gift) fit here.  

Since we know that the word must have something to do with the fact that this is where a famous painter painted, you might guess that the correct word would have to do with reputation or history.  

Both "heritage" and "notoriety" have something to do with reputation, but "heritage" is the best answer because it refers to the traditions and achievements that are part of the history of a place or group of people, whereas "notoriety" has a negative connotation, meaning fame derived from having done bad things.

Example Question #95 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Some people think it is a bad __________ to see a black cat; those people think it means that something bad will happen in the future.

Possible Answers:

omen

hope

fright

creature

reward

Correct answer:

omen

Explanation:

A sign of something to come in the future is called an “omen.” Seeing a black cat is often held to be a “bad omen,” just like how breaking a mirror is supposed to be bad luck. The word “reward” describes something good you get for doing something well; a “fright” is a scare; and a “creature” is a living thing.

Example Question #236 : Word Based Sentence Completions

Because the candy was on __________, Jennifer bought 100 packs of chocolates.

Possible Answers:

bicycle

shoe

winter

holiday

sale

Correct answer:

sale

Explanation:

The candy was on sale, so Jennifer decided to buy 100 packs. When something is on sale, it is less expensive than it usually is.

Example Question #96 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The poor girl became upset when she spilled a drink on her new dress; she did not want any __________.

Possible Answers:

antidotes 

hovels 

blemishes 

catastrophes

advice 

Correct answer:

blemishes 

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence, "the girl," spilled something on her dress and stained it. So you are looking for an answer choice that means "stains" therefore the correct answer is "blemishes." A "blemish" is a stain, a small mark of imperfection. To provide further help, "antidote" is medicine for poison; a "hovel" is a small house, a shack; "catastrophe" means disaster

Example Question #97 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The __________ of Hector and Achilles has been passed down for thousands of years.

Possible Answers:

juggernaut 

spectator 

diction

legend 

babble 

Correct answer:

legend 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices refers to a story passed down for generations. The correct answer is "legend." Synonyms for "legend" include myth, fable, folk story, epic. Additionally, a "spectator" is someone who watches something, a viewer; "diction" is the way someone uses words; a "juggernaut" is an unstoppable force; "babble" is talking nonsense, drivel.

Example Question #98 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The company made a healthy __________ last year and was able to reinvest some of that money this year. 

Possible Answers:

obstacle 

profit 

net worth 

edict 

stance

Correct answer:

profit 

Explanation:

You are told that the company was able to spend some of the money it had made the previous year. So, the correct answer must mean something like money made, money gained. The correct answer is therefore "profit" which means money earned, money gained. Additionally, a "stance" is a position, a way of standing; an "obstacle" is something difficult that needs to be overcome, something in the way of progress; "net worth" is how much money someone has; an "edict" is an order, a decree, a formal declaration

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