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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Susan B. Anthony had to overcome many __________ in order to advance women’s rights.

Possible Answers:

Obstacles

Legislation

Innovations

Traits

Correct answer:

Obstacles

Explanation:

Based on the sentence, we can tell that the correct answer should be a word that means "something that gets in the way" that Susan B. Anthony would have to overcome. "Obstacles" is the correct answer because it means something that opposes or stands in the way of progress.

 

Incorrect Answers:

"Legislation" means laws. Even though the laws of Susan B. Anthony's time were in the way of women getting the right to vote, "legislation" is a singular word that would make this sentence grammatically incorrect. The word "many" must be followed by a plural word.

"Innovation" means something newly introduced, as in the sentence, "Recent technological innovations include laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones."

A "trait" is a distinguishing feature, such as someone's personality or physical appearance, as in the sentence, "Kai has many wonderful traits, and she is most well-known for her kindness and humor."

Example Question #12 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

To stay in shape, athletes need to work on their ___________ and be able to exercise for hours, even in the off-season.

Possible Answers:

swimming

endurance

swinging

jumping

Correct answer:

endurance

Explanation:

We know that the word that goes in the blank needs to mean something like "ability to exercise for hours," so the correct answer is "endurance," which means ability to do something for an extended period of time. "Swinging," "swimming," and "jumping" all have to do with specific sports, and we aren't told that the "athletes" being discussed in the sentence play a specific sport. "Endurance" is the only word that refers to athletes in general staying in shape. 

Example Question #13 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Being from Hawaii, Julia was not used to the colder __________ of Wisconsin. 

Possible Answers:

heat

humidity

wind

climate

Correct answer:

climate

Explanation:

The correct answer is "climate," which means the weather, temperature, and moisture levels experienced in a region. "Heat" wouldn't make sense because the sense describes the blank as "colder," and "humidity" (amount of moisture in the air) doesn't make sense either. "Wind" could be described as "colder," but "climate" is the better choice because one might to hear about the "climate of Wisconsin" more often than the "wind of Wisconsin," because it is the more general term.

Example Question #14 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

As a mother and role model, Alicia has a huge __________ on her children.

Possible Answers:

impact

happiness

friendship

failure

Correct answer:

impact

Explanation:

The correct answer is "impact." In this sentence, "impact" means a strong influence over someone.  The other words do not make sense in the sentence.

Example Question #15 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Bobby’s __________ was always appreciated by his friends who knew they could go to him for anything. 

Possible Answers:

generosity

seflishness 

coldness

greed

Correct answer:

generosity

Explanation:

The correct answer is "generosity." "Generosity" is the quality of being kind or generous. The other answer choices are not qualities people would want in friend, so none of them fit the context of the sentence.   

Example Question #16 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Select the word that best completes the sentence.

Mary-Lou was a ___________, especially after winning her first Olympic gold at fourteen.

Possible Answers:

Heretic

Product

Pauper

Heroine

Prodigy

Correct answer:

Prodigy

Explanation:

A prodigy is a child with extraordinary talent.  Mary-Lou is a prodigy because she is internationally recognized for her talents at a young age. 

Example Question #17 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Jamie broke the rules and therefore had to deal with the __________ of being punished.

Possible Answers:

present

dream

contrary

consequence

energy

Correct answer:

consequence

Explanation:

When rules are broken, the result is often a consequence like being grounded or going to the principal's office. "Consequence" means result, and is often specifically used to refer to the results of breaking rules.

Example Question #18 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

That character is a(n) __________ because he is always chasing after the villains that the police cannot capture.

Possible Answers:

vigilante

musician

innocent

police officer

agent

Correct answer:

vigilante

Explanation:

A "vigilante" is someone who takes the law into his or her own hands. When the character chases the villains that the police cannot capture, he is taking the law into his own hands. The sentence says nothing to suggest that the character is a police officer or agent of some kind, and "innocent" and "musician" are nonsensical answer choices in this context.

Example Question #19 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After getting her three children dressed, making them breakfast, fixing them lunches, and dropping them off at school, the busy mom took a much needed __________ from her hectic day.

Possible Answers:

interruption

solution

exercise

breather

Correct answer:

breather

Explanation:

This question is one in which filling in the blank with each answer is useful for finding the best word for the sentence. "Exercise" and "solution" don't make sense in the context of the mom's busy, hectic day. "Interruption" sort of works, but as it means a pause without necessarily implying rest, it doesn't quite fit. A "breather" is a break, or a rest. The busy mom needs a rest, so "breather" is the best answer choice and the correct answer.

Example Question #20 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The gymnast showed amazing __________, completing her routine even after spraining her ankle.

Possible Answers:

sleepiness

tenacity

cowardice

stupidity

Correct answer:

tenacity

Explanation:

"Tenacity" means the quality of sticking to doing something, no matter what happens. A gymnast completing her routine while injured shows tenacity. "Stupidity" doesn't work in context with "amazing" (see sentence). "Cowardice" and "sleepiness" don't make sense in the sentence either; "cowardice" means timidity or fear and is the opposite of "tenacity."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors