All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #651 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The idea just was not _____________. There was no way that three people could complete so much work in so short a period of time.
Available
Friendly
Temporal
Contrite
Practical
Practical
If we wanted to speak in a very straightforward manner, we could say that the idea proposed was not "doable." This is the basic idea of the second sentence. The word "practical" is used in several different ways. Sometimes, we contrast practical things to theoretical ones. Some people are always thinking of ideas that are too abstract, idealistic, or impossible to be accomplished. Such people are impractical. Whenever we say that someone is "practically minded," we mean that he or she likes to accomplish things—to "get things done." Whenever a task is not practical, it is not "doable." This is the case with the idea mentioned in the first sentence in this question.
Example Question #281 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Weak from a long-term illness, Thomas _____________ tried to move the chair across the room, only to collapse due to exhaustion.
Lightly
Irregularly
Feebly
Sickly
Medically
Feebly
The most tempting wrong answer for this question is likely "sickly," but that doesn't make much sense regarding someone's ability to move a chair. Instead, the idea is that Thomas made weak attempt to move the chair, meaning that it was a feeble attempt. The adverb "feebly" describes an action that is physically weak, often due to illness or being old. (It can also be used metaphorically, as when we say that a lamp gives off "feeble light.")
Example Question #282 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Patricia was known for her __________ disposition. She would stay with people who were grieving for hours, hoping to give them some comfort.
regular
compassionate
attentive
feminine
intelligent
compassionate
The second sentence describes Patricia as being a person who is able to suffer with other people. When we can show sympathy in this way, we are "compassionate." Interestingly both "sympathy" and "compassionate" come from similar roots, but from different languages! "Sympathy" comes from Greek roots meaning suffering with. "Compassionate" comes from Latin roots meaning the same thing!
Example Question #283 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the __________ response to math class was anxiety, Jessica did not experience anything of the sort. Indeed, she loved math and found the class relaxing.
amazing
stupid
healthy
typical
foolish
typical
The contrast in this sentence is between Jessica's unique response to math class and what seems to be the normal response—anxiety. When something is "typical" it is ordinary or normal. We can say, for example: "That was his typical greeting; he always said, 'Hey you,' when he ran into someone."
Example Question #284 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After he nearly died in the accident, the young man realized that he was not ___________ but actually could die.
frightened
irregular
mortal
regular
immortal
immortal
The young man apparently did not think he could ever die. This means that he doubted his mortality. The words "mortal" and "mortality," as well as "morgue" and "morbid" all come from roots having to do with death. The adjective "mortal" means able to die. Thus, the word "immortal" means not able to die. (Remember that the "i-" prefix can mean "not".) The man seems to have realized that he is actually not immortal.
Example Question #285 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Peter thought that Rachel's words were very __________, hurting his feelings greatly.
frightening
abusive
foolish
saddening
exciting
abusive
It seems that Rachel's words were very hurtful. Therefore, you should choose a word that most closely describes such hurtful action. When we abuse someone, we hurt them—either physically or at least emotionally. In this sentence, the abuse in question is verbal and emotional. Thus, the adjective "abusive" is the best option.
Example Question #796 : Word Based Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since he was __________ that his brother would hit him, Henry stood, waiting for the slapping hand to land on his back.
angered
anticipating
frightened
afraid
aware
anticipating
This sentence does not really indicate much about Henry's attitude. We do not know if he is frightened or angered by his brother's upcoming slap. All that we know is that he is waiting for it to happen. When we think that something is about to happen and then wait for it, we are said to "anticipate" that thing. That is what Henry is being described as doing in this sentence.
Example Question #286 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although William did very well in his English class, he was ___________ of finishing a single math problem, even when he tried to do so for hours.
conscious
incapable
reflective
afraid
aware
incapable
This sentence contrasts William's abilities in English to his lack of abilities in math. Apparently, he cannot do any math problems at all. This means that he has no capability whatsoever. In other words, he is totally incapable of completing such problems.
Example Question #291 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The wealthy family tried to help their __________ neighbors buy food for the upcoming holiday.
intense
depressed
annoying
impoverished
uncultured
impoverished
The clues for this sentence are pretty obvious. The wealthy family apparently wants to use their money to help neighbors who cannot afford to buy food. This implies that the other family is poor or impoverished. Though this is a pretty obvious answer, it is clearly the correct one based on the context clues!
Example Question #799 : Word Based Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Robert wanted __________ control over the food in the campsite, for he believed that things would become missing if multiple people were in charge of the rations.
alarming
legislative
exclusive
political
judicial
exclusive
The important thing to note is Robert's fear. He was afraid that having many people in charge of the food would lead to the food coming up missing. (Rations can refer to the limited food that is given to people in fixed amounts. The word can also be used in the plural like this just to mean "the food that is available.") Therefore, Robert wanted to have complete control over the food. That is, he wanted exclusive control—control that excluded everyone else from making decisions.
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