ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #511 : Sentence Completions

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

My bag is hard to carry because it is __________ with books.

Possible Answers:

aghast

laden

acrimonious

instantaneous

supple

Correct answer:

laden

Explanation:

Based on the context you know that the correct answer means something like weighed down with, burdened with. So, the correct answer is "laden." Additionally, "instantaneous" means occurring in a single moment, happening in an instant; "supple" means bendy, flexible; "acrimonious" means bitter and resentful dispute; "aghast" means shocked, horrified and surprised.

Example Question #512 : Sentence Completions

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

He was remarkably __________ and refused to partake in the delicious feast.

Possible Answers:

abstemious

tactful

lenient

robust

pompous

Correct answer:

abstemious

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence is demonstrating his self-disciplined lifestyle by refusing to join in the feast. He is not being self-indulgent, so he could best be described as "abstemious," which means to abstain from some desire. Additionally, "lenient" means not strict, tolerant; "pompous" means arrogant and self-obsessed; "robust" means strong and healthy; "tactful" means polite, knowing what not to say.

Example Question #513 : Sentence Completions

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

There were __________ outbreaks of rain throughout the summer, until the last two months when it rained nonstop from dawn to dusk.

Possible Answers:

durable

conspicuous

bleak

congested

spasmodic

Correct answer:

spasmodic

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that could be used to describe the irregular, intermittent sporadic occurrences of rainfall. The correct answer is therefore "spasmodic," which means happening in short, irregular bursts. Additionally, "durable" means reliable, long lasting, not easily broken; "conspicuous" means easily noticeable; "congested" means blocked up, prevented from moving; "bleak" means (of weather) wet and cold and (of a situation) hopeless.

Example Question #514 : Sentence Completions

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

The family lived in the __________ house in spite of its many problems.

Possible Answers:

indispensable

alien

lucrative

ramshackle

unscathed

Correct answer:

ramshackle

Explanation:

The house is described as having many problems so it could probably be described using the adjective "ramshackle" which means (of a building) in a state of disrepair. Additionally, "unscathed" means uninjured, unhurt by; "lucrative" means profitable; "alien" means unfamiliar, foreign and exotic; "indispensable" means vital, essential, needed.

Example Question #515 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ little cottage fits in perfectly in the picturesque village.

Possible Answers:

salient

quaint

marred

apocryphal

concise

Correct answer:

quaint

Explanation:

If the cottage fits perfectly with the picturesque village then the cottage itself must have similar qualities. The correct answer is therefore "quaint," which means cute, attractive, and old-fashioned. Additionally, "apocryphal" means most likely untrue, of doubtful authenticity; "marred" means spoiled, ruined; "concise" means briefly stated, to the point; "salient" means most important, relevant.

Example Question #291 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She was quite __________ and had trouble asserting herself.

Possible Answers:

dismissive

reclusive

meek

fickle

fervent

Correct answer:

meek

Explanation:

Someone who has trouble "asserting" (being confident and bold) themselves could well be described as "meek," which means shy and mild-mannered, easily controlled. Additionally, "dismissive" means arrogant, ignoring the opinions of others; "fickle" means inconsistent, unreliable; "reclusive" means disliking the company of others and prone to seeking time alone, private; "fervent" means passionate, enthusiastic and zealous.

Example Question #292 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The audience hoped for a __________ speech, but were dismayed to learn it would be over two hours long.

Possible Answers:

conniving

abject

fruitful

ductile

concise

Correct answer:

concise

Explanation:

To begin with "dismayed" means upset by bad news. So, the audience were upset that the speech was long they therefore must have hoped it was brief, to the point, terse, quick. So, the correct answer is "concise." Additionally, "abject" means miserable and hopeless; "fruitful" means productive; "conniving" means cunning, scheming, and manipulative; "ductile" means able to be shaped, malleable, bendable.

Example Question #293 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

I cannot stand his __________ attitude and really dislike my time in his company.

Possible Answers:

poised

pompous

rakish

infallible

articulate

Correct answer:

pompous

Explanation:

Based on the context and tone of this sentence you know that the correct answer must be an adjective that describes a negative personality trait. So, the correct answer is "pompous," which means arrogant, self-obsessed. Additionally, "infallible" means faultless, incapable of making an error; "poised" means calm and under control in a stressful situation; "rakish" means charming, attractive, dashing; "articulate" means well-spoken.

Example Question #516 : Sentence Completions

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

They made a favorable arrangement that was in their __________ interest.

Possible Answers:

wistful

vigilant

distraught

intractable

mutual

Correct answer:

mutual

Explanation:

If the arrangement was "favorable" (advantageous, offering some benefit) to both parties then it was in their shared or "mutual" interests. Additionally, "wistful" means missing the past; "vigilant" means watchful; "distraught" means devastated, deeply upset by; "intractable" means stubborn.

Example Question #295 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ man has to be helped with even the simplest of tasks.

Possible Answers:

condescending

senile

robust

jocular

eminent

Correct answer:

senile

Explanation:

Which of these words is an adjective that describes why someone might need constant help and care? The correct answer is "senile," which means mentally weakened or made sick with old age. Additionally, "eminent" means famous, respected within a certain field; "robust" means strong and healthy; "jocular" means good-natured, amusing, cheerful; "condescending" means talking down to someone, thinking you are better than someone else.

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