ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #311 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

His __________ struggle with disease lasted from adolescence until his death as an old man.

Possible Answers:

terse

perennial

opaque

intriguing

ramshackle

Correct answer:

perennial

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes an old man's long battle with disease, you are looking for an adjective that means lasting for a long amount of time, happening repeatedly for a long time, eternal. So, the correct answer is "perennial." Additionally, "terse" means concise, brief, to the point; "opaque" means not transparent, not able to be seen through; "ramshackle" means in poor condition, falling down; "intriguing" means interesting, fascinating.

Example Question #312 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Fans waited all night to meet the __________ figure.

Possible Answers:

sanctimonious

opulent

legendary

transparent

oblique

Correct answer:

legendary

Explanation:

It makes sense that fans would wait for a long time to meet an awe-inspiring, famous, storied, celebrated person. So, the correct answer is "legendary." Additionally, "oblique" means slanting; "transparent" means able to be seen through; "opulent" means luxurious, rich, magnificent; "sanctimonious" means self-righteous, 'holier-than-thou,' feeling as if you know better or are better than others.

Example Question #313 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

One of my teachers is very __________, but the rest of my teachers are much too strict.

Possible Answers:

lenient

wonderful

destitute

hospitable

senile

Correct answer:

lenient

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, and especially the use of the conjunction "but," you know that the correct answer must be an antonym of "strict." The correct answer is therefore "lenient" which means not strict, tolerant, merciful. Additionally, "hospitable" means welcoming; "destitute" means very poor, having no possessions; "senile" means mentally weak or physically sick with old age; "wonderful" means amazing, great, brilliant.

Example Question #314 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

I don't like her because she is manipulative and __________.

Possible Answers:

attentive

genteel

supple

bashful

conniving

Correct answer:

conniving

Explanation:

As the speaker of this sentence dislikes the woman we can infer that the correct answer must be a negative adjective that means something fairly similar to "manipulative." The correct answer is therefore "conniving" which means cunning and manipulative, prone to conspiring to commit immoral or illegal actions. Additionally, "bashful" means shy, easily embarrassed; "attentive" means considerate of other people, someone who pays attention to other people's feelings and moods; "genteel" means polite, refined; "supple" means flexible, bendy.

Example Question #315 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Her boss spoke to her in a __________ tone that she found greatly annoying.

Possible Answers:

congenial

fecund

condescending

beneficial

gargantuan

Correct answer:

condescending

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that describes something that people find annoying or rude. To be "condescending" means to talk down to others, to act as if you are superior and know better than the person you are talking to. Additionally, "congenial" means friendly, affable, agreeable; "fecund" means fertile, producing a lot of something; "beneficial" means helpful, useful; "gargantuan" means very large, giant, huge.

Example Question #541 : Sentence Completions

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

We could do nothing to cheer him up; he was in a(n) ___________ mood.

Possible Answers:

sullen

infallible

unflinching

vigilant

poised

Correct answer:

sullen

Explanation:

As the speaker and his friends could do nothing to make the subject of this sentence happy you know that the subject must have been in a gloomy, depressed, sad and serious mood. So, the correct answer is "sullen." To be "sullen" means to be in a sulking, grumpy mood. Additionally, "infallible" means incapable of making mistakes, incapable of being proved wrong; "poised" means calm and controlled in a stressful situation; "unflinching" means determined, refusing to sway from one's plan, 'single-minded'; "vigilant" means watchful, determined to pay close attention to something, mindful of danger.

Example Question #316 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The much __________ author finally achieved recognition and acclaim with the seventeenth book he wrote.

Possible Answers:

aloof

catastrophic

abject

maligned

intractable

Correct answer:

maligned

Explanation:

The fact that the author has only recently achieved success and appraisal means that he must have previously been much criticized and disparaged. The correct answer is therefore "maligned." To "malign" someone is to speak ill of them, to criticize them. Additionally, "intractable" means obstinate, stubborn, refusing to change one's mind; "aloof" means shy, withdrawn, distant and mysterious; "catastrophic" means disastrous; "abject" means (of a situation) hopeless or (of a person) feeling hopeless and miserable.

Example Question #317 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ young man spent most of his evenings drinking at the bar until closing time.

Possible Answers:

opinionated

mutual

blithe

eminent

dissolute

Correct answer:

dissolute

Explanation:

All you know about the subject of this sentence is that he spends too much of his time getting drunk. He could therefore be said to be "dissolute" which means lax in morals, but is suggestive of someone who is a drunk. Someone who is "dissolute" is depraved, debauched, immoral, licentious. Additionally, "mutual" means shared; "eminent" means famous, well regarded in a particular area; "opinionated" means having strong opinions and freely expressing them; "blithe" means indifferent, casual, showing an inappropriate level of concern.

Example Question #318 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The relationship between the two countries has been __________ for years; ever since conflict first arose a century ago.

Possible Answers:

flamboyant

awry

acrimonious

derelict

antediluvian

Correct answer:

acrimonious

Explanation:

The two countries in this sentence are described as being in conflict with one another for a century, so their relationship could well be described as bitter, hostile, or "acrimonious." Additionally, "derelict" means in poor condition, ramshackle, falling down; "antediluvian" means out-dated, belonging to an ancient time; "awry" means amiss, wrong, away from the expected or desired outcome; "flamboyant" means having a colorful and lively personality or appearance.

Example Question #319 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

They sat down together to develop a(n) __________ plan to deal with all possible scenarios.

Possible Answers:

laden

inclement

comprehensive

quaint

embedded

Correct answer:

comprehensive

Explanation:

A plan that intends to deal with all possible scenarios could well be described as including all aspects of something, complete, total, or "comprehensive." Something that is "comprehensive" is detailed and includes all aspects of something. Additionally, "embedded" means fixed within something; "quaint" means cute, old-fashioned and appealing; "laden" means weighed down with, burdened by; "inclement" means (of weather) severe.

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