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 #241 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The situation was not very __________. Many people had done exactly the same thing at some point in their lives.

Possible Answers:

fulfilling

dangerous

threatening

bold

unique

Correct answer:

unique

Explanation:

Do not read too much into the sentence given to you here. The general idea is that the situation must happen to many people. Therefore, we can't say whether or not it is dangerous or even bold. We just know that it is pretty regular. That is, it is not very unique.

Example Question #244 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The __________ building was unaffected by the catastrophic weather.

Possible Answers:

sturdy

essential

timid

fragile

gaunt

Correct answer:

sturdy

Explanation:

To begin with "catastrophic" means disastrous, (of a situation) very bad and dangerous. So, if the building was unaffected by the bad and dangerous weather than it could best be described as "sturdy." "Sturdy" means well-built, strong, solid, and powerful. Additionally, "essential" means needed, crucial; "fragile" means easily broken, delicate; "gaunt" means very thin, almost like a skeleton; "timid" means shy and nervous.

Example Question #245 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The brothers are almost __________ and people struggle to tell them apart. 

Possible Answers:

spacious

identical

content

frail

devoted

Correct answer:

identical

Explanation:

If people struggle to tell the two brothers apart than they must look very similar to one another. The correct answer is therefore "identical" which means exactly alike, the same as. Additionally, "frail" means weak (usually sick and weak); "spacious" means roomy, having lots of space; "content" means happy enough with; "devoted" means loyal to, committed to.

Example Question #246 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

He was __________ and unable to concentrate on his work.

Possible Answers:

distracted

painstaking

creative

focused

formidable

Correct answer:

distracted

Explanation:

If the subject of this sentence was unable to concentrate on his work than he must have been "distracted." "Distracted" means unable to focus one's mind. Additionally, "formidable" means imposing, intimidating, daunting and fearsome; "painstaking" means arduous, difficult work, hard work; "creative" means artistic, able to create things; "focused" means concentrated, paying attention to.

Example Question #247 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Smoking is __________ and bad for you. 

Possible Answers:

hazardous

gorgeous

succinct

compelling

greedy

Correct answer:

hazardous

Explanation:

If smoking is bad for you than it could also be described as "dangerous" or "hazardous." "Hazardous" means dangerous, poisonous, bad for one's health. Additionally, "gorgeous" means attractive; "succinct" means clearly and briefly stated; "compelling" means very interesting; "greedy" means wanting what others have, wanting too much.

Example Question #241 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Water polo is a(n) __________ sport.

Possible Answers:

ideal

aquatic

detrimental

lonesome

humiliating

Correct answer:

aquatic

Explanation:

Water polo is a sport played in the water, so to solve this problem you need to determine which of these words means related to water. The correct answer is therefore "aquatic." Additionally, "humiliating" means embarrassing, shameful; "detrimental" means harmful, hurtful, weakening; "ideal" means perfect; "lonesome" means lonely, wanting company.

Example Question #242 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The large zoo is home to __________ types of animals.

Possible Answers:

numerous 

nomadic 

secure 

serene 

nefarious 

Correct answer:

numerous 

Explanation:

If the zoo is large than it stands to reason that it must be home to many different types of animals. The correct answer then is "numerous" which means many, large in number. Additionally, "nefarious" means wicked, evil; "nomadic" means wandering, without a fixed home; "secure" means safe; "serene" means peaceful.

Example Question #250 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

My dog was very sleepy and fell asleep almost __________

Possible Answers:

absurdly

obnoxiously

instantly

passionately

energetically

Correct answer:

instantly

Explanation:

If the dog was very sleepy it makes sense that it would fall asleep immediately, without delay, right away. So, the correct answer is "instantly" which means happening in an instant, happening in very little time. Additionally, "energetically" means done with energy and "passionately" means done with passion; "absurdly" means done in an absurd or ridiculous manner; "obnoxiously" means done in a rude way.

Example Question #751 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

She is very __________ and her friends know they can always rely on her help.

Possible Answers:

agile

grumpy

dependable

passive

irresponsible

Correct answer:

dependable

Explanation:

If the subject's friends know that they can always rely on her help than the girl must be reliable, trustworthy. The correct answer is therefore "dependable" which means able to be relied upon, trustworthy and responsible. Additionally, "passive" means not aggressive, calm and submissive, allowing others to be in charge; "grumpy" means bad-tempered, moody and upset; "irresponsible" means not responsible, it is an antonym of "dependable"; "agile" means flexible and having good speed and balance.

Example Question #752 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The high school football players felt __________ before the biggest game of their season.

Possible Answers:

apathetic

ancient

jittery

detached

forlorn

Correct answer:

jittery

Explanation:

As it is the biggest game of the team's season it makes sense that the players would feel nervous or "jittery." "Jittery" means full of nerves, anxious, unable to relax. Additionally, "apathetic" means not caring; "forlorn" means sad and hopeless; "ancient" means very old; "detached" means aloof or separate, not connected to.

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