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 #31 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Sentence Completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Bill de Blasio won the New York City mayoral election by a __________, receiving a large majority of the votes. 

Possible Answers:

little

minority

hair

landslide

Correct answer:

landslide

Explanation:

Mayor de Blasio won the election by a substantial number of votes, so the best answer choice is "landslide," defined as an overwhelming majority of votes for one candidate in an election.

Example Question #32 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Sentence Completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

To become a firefighter, you must possess __________ that will be unwavered by dangerous circumstances.

Possible Answers:

kindness

bravery

danger

narcissism

Correct answer:

bravery

Explanation:

We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "courage" or "valor" because the sentence tells us that firefighters need to be unaffected by dangerous situations. So, "bravery," a noun that means courageous behavior or character, is the correct answer choice because it best fits the sentence's context. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank space: "danger" means the possibility of being harmed; "kindness" means the quality of being friendly or generous; and "narcissism" means excessive self-interest or interest in how one looks.

Example Question #33 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Sentence Completion: Select the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Bryan and Ophelia were assigned to work together on a group project, but since they refuse to talk to each other, the project is likely to be a __________.

Possible Answers:

success

boon

ramshackle

failure

Correct answer:

failure

Explanation:

We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disaster" or "fiasco" because the sentence tells us that Bryan and Ophelia refuse to work together on their project. So, "failure," an adjective that means the opposite of a success, is the correct answer choice because it best fits the sentence's context. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank space: "boon" means something helpful; "success" is an antonym of "failure" and means the state of accomplishing something; and "ramshackle" is an adjective that means dilapidated or run-down.

Example Question #34 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

I have great __________ for my years in high school; I was always happy there and life was far simpler.

Possible Answers:

disgust

affection

regret

despondence

dismay

Correct answer:

affection

Explanation:

The second clause reveals that the author was always happy at school, which suggests his memories would be fond or affectionate. The correct answer is therefore “affection.” To provide further help, “dismay” is a feeling of sadness and hopelessness; “disgust” means revulsion; “regret” is a feeling that you wish you had done things differently; “despondence” means hopelessness

Example Question #35 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Unlike Tyler, who liked to be busy all the time, Matt was happiest during moments of __________, when he could relax on his couch, free of obligations.

Possible Answers:

leisure

honesty

intensity

labor

Correct answer:

leisure

Explanation:

The first thing you may notice about this rather long sentence is the key word "unlike." This tells us that Matt is different from Tyler, the boy who enjoys being active and constantly busy. In other words, we're looking for a word that means the opposite of "busy," and that similarly describes calming activities like relaxing on the couch. The only correct answer choice is "leisure," which refers to time devoted to relaxation or calming activities. "Labor" means work when it is used as a noun or a verb, which is the opposite of what Matt likes to do. "Intensity" implies that something is powerful or extreme, so it is not a word that we would think of as describing someone lounging on the sofa. Finally, "honesty," which means truthfulness, has nothing to do with this sentence.

Example Question #36 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The teacher failed my essay because I copied it from the internet; the rules against __________ are rigidly enforced at my school.

Possible Answers:

qualms

amorphous

atheism

magnates

plagiarism

Correct answer:

plagiarism

Explanation:

When we copy from another person without giving them credit, it is called plagiarism.” To provide further help, a “magnate” is a successful businessman; “qualms” are issues we take with something; “atheism” is disbelief in gods; “amorphous” means without shape.

Example Question #37 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Queen Elizabeth I showed great __________ during times of conflict by keeping her people’s spirits high and demanding the best from her soldiers.

Possible Answers:

latency

truancy

leadership

improvement

frivolity

Correct answer:

leadership

Explanation:

The second part of the sentence tells us that Queen Elizabeth kept people’s spirits high and motivated the soldiers serving her. These are qualities of a good leader, so we can state that Queen Elizabeth I showed great “leadership.” To provide further help, “improvement” means made better; “frivolity” means playfulness; “truancy” means absence; “latency” means hidden potential.

Example Question #38 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The hikers were on a  ___________ to find the cottage built by their great-grandparents deep in the woods.

Possible Answers:

trail

visit

quest

hiatus

rescue

Correct answer:

quest

Explanation:

We can tell from the sentence's context that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "journey." "Quest" is therefore the correct answer, as "quest" means journey undertaken to achieve some goal. None of the other answer choices make as much sense in the blank, as none of them convey the sense of seeking to achieve a goal.

Example Question #182 : Sentence Completions

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

Whenever Francis got a(n) __________ for chocolate, he always baked a batch of brownies and added chocolate chips to the mix.

Possible Answers:

craving

detriment

inclusion

aversion

consideration

Correct answer:

craving

Explanation:

We can infer that whatever Francis experiences regarding chocolate inspires him to go bake a batch of brownies with chocolate chips; so, the sentence must be describing Francis wanting chocolate. We need to pick out a noun that means something like desire or want. That means that "aversion" cannot be the correct answer, because "aversion" is a noun that means a significant dislike, making "aversion" an antonym, not a synonym, of desire or want. "Craving," however, when used as a noun, means a strong desire for something, and because "craving" best describes Francis's desire for chocolate, "craving" is the correct answer.

Example Question #183 : Sentence Completions

Susie was not very good at adding, and therefore did not do well on the __________ test.

Possible Answers:

English

Spanish

history

soccer

mathematics

Correct answer:

mathematics

Explanation:

You add in mathematics class. Because she is not very good at adding, Susie did not do well on the mathematics test.

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