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 #740 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Camels are famously __________ and are able to survive for a long time in harsh conditions. 

Possible Answers:

paltry

hardy

lithe

charming

feeble

Correct answer:

hardy

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that describes a camel's ability to endure hardships and survive in difficult situations. The correct answer is therefore "hardy," which means robust, strong and able to survive in difficult circumstances. Additionally, "feeble" means weak; "charming" means pleasant, attractive and likable; "lithe" means graceful, agile, able to move one's body in an efficient and flexible manner; "paltry" means small, an insufficient amount of, meager

Example Question #741 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

He held his hands __________, above the crowd, and swayed to the music.

Possible Answers:

sheathed

inept

innate

beneath

aloft

Correct answer:

aloft

Explanation:

The man held his hands in the air, so the correct answer is "aloft." Other synonyms of "aloft" include "overhead" and "high." Additionally, "beneath" means under; "inept" means having insufficient skill, incapable; "sheathed" means (of a weapon) contained within something, concealed, wrapped up; "innate" means natural, (of a personality trait) something one is born with

Example Question #742 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

It is always easier to see the stars in __________ locations because there are fewer sources of light to interfere.

Possible Answers:

drab

expensive

remote

accountable

resonant

Correct answer:

remote

Explanation:

You can see stars better in locations that are far from other sources of light and far from the urban centers of civilization. Something that is located far from the main areas of human population is called "remote." Other synonyms for "remote" include "distant" and "faraway." Additionally, "expensive" means costing a lot of money; "drab" means dreary, dull and boring; "accountable" means responsible; "resonant" means (of a sound) deep and full.

Example Question #743 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The __________ fool slipped on the sidewalk and dropped his sandwich on the ground.

Possible Answers:

ruthless

grouchy

obese

bumbling

impartial

Correct answer:

bumbling

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an answer that means something like clumsy, awkward and careless. The correct answer is therefore "bumbling." Someone who is "bumbling" is very clumsy and prone to making mistakes. Additionally, "obese" means very fat; "impartial" means not biased, able to judge fairly and evenly; "grouchy" means moody, grumpy, in a bad mood; "ruthless" means merciless, cruel, showing no compassion.

Example Question #744 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The use of ethyl was banned __________ after it was revealed to contain highly toxic levels of lead.

Possible Answers:

outright

briefly

merely

unexpectedly

wearily

Correct answer:

outright

Explanation:

The context and intensity of this sentence suggests that the correct answer must mean something like completely, entirely, without exception. As in, "ethyl was banned completely." So, the correct answer is "outright" which means completely, altogether, totally. Additionally, "briefly" means lasting a short time; "merely" means just, only, simply; "unexpectedly" means surprisingly; "wearily" means done without enthusiasm, done in a tired-manner

Example Question #745 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The old friends sat down to a long and __________ dinner together.

Possible Answers:

laudable

cordial

hectic

spiteful

exhilarating

Correct answer:

cordial

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an answer choice that relates to the friendly, pleasant, and good-natured atmosphere of a dinner between old friends. So, the correct answer is "cordial." "Cordial" means warm, friendly, polite, pleasant, good-natured. Additionally, "exhilarating" means thrilling, causing excitement and enthusiasm; "hectic" means rushed and unplanned; "spiteful" means cruel, mean and nasty; "laudable" means deserving of praise

Example Question #746 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After a thorough ___________ of the data, the scientist wrote a long paper explaining the exciting new discovery.

Possible Answers:

analysis

intensification

selection

scanning

delay

Correct answer:

analysis

Explanation:

The word "thorough" means complete or detailed. If you clean your room thoroughly, it means that you have cleaned it totally. Now, to "scan" data is the very opposite of being thorough, so this is out as an option. Although "selection" might seem appropriate, we can guess that the scientist evaluated and thought through the data. Therefore, the best option is "analysis."

Example Question #747 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Often, people who have big ideas are not very __________. Though they know many things, they generally never accomplish any particular goal at all.

Possible Answers:

intelligent

thorough

alert

wise

practical

Correct answer:

practical

Explanation:

The main clue for this sentence is the fact that the people in question do not accomplish their goals. This means that they are likely not very practical people. People who are practical "get things done." The word actually comes from root words meaning to do. When we "practice" we do something in order to be good at it. This is a related word. None of the other options really express this kind of practicality.

Example Question #241 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

When William retold the story, he did not provide a _____________ account of the events. Instead, he invented and added various details to help make it seem more exciting for his audience.

Possible Answers:

literal

figurative

conceivable

regular

questionable

Correct answer:

literal

Explanation:

The second sentence provide the main clue for finding the correct word. The implication is that William did not tell the story "exactly how it was." It was not a literal retelling of the facts but instead had many added elements. Therefore, the best option is "literal." This word means "exactly representing something else." The "literal sense" of words is their "exact meaning" without any metaphorical meanings added. For example, a "red herring" is literally a kind of smoked fish. Metaphorically it means something that is distracting.

Example Question #242 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Forecasters cannot be too __________ about the weather. Many factors can change environmental conditions without warning.

Possible Answers:

singular

certain

arrogant

proud

loud

Correct answer:

certain

Explanation:

The idea is that forecasters cannot be too sure about their weather forecasts. This means that they cannot be "certain" about them. The only thing that is indicated in the second sentence is that weather is fickle and changing. This does not say anything about the prideful attitudes of forecasters. It only says that they should be careful not to be too sure about such changing and unstable matters.

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