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 #341 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She made a(n) __________ argument that the professor quickly disproved.

Possible Answers:

wistful

specious

haggard

vigilant

erratic

Correct answer:

specious

Explanation:

If the professor was able to quickly disprove the subject's argument then it makes sense that the argument was wrong in some way or another. The correct answer is therefore "specious," which means (of an argument) somewhat plausible, but actually wrong, deliberately misleading. Additionally, "vigilant" means watchful, paying close attention to something; "haggard" means looking exhausted, having the appearance of someone who is overworked; "wistful" means feeling a certain longing for the past; "erratic" means unreliable, inconsistent, 'all over the place'.

Example Question #342 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The world's most __________ environmentalists were invited to attend the global summit on climate change.

Possible Answers:

blithe

maligned

obese

sullen

eminent

Correct answer:

eminent

Explanation:

To begin with a "summit" (in this context) is a meeting of leader's of various nations. So, in a meeting about climate change it would make sense for the world's most famous and well-regarded environmentalists to be invited. The correct answer is therefore "eminent," which means famous within a particular field of study. Additionally, "maligned" means widely criticized; "obese" means very fat, unhealthily overweight; "sullen" means grumpy and sulky, in a bad mood; "blithe" means inappropriately unconcerned by something, not showing a polite amount of concern for something.

Example Question #343 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The ceremony was __________ by the behavior of a few obnoxious guests. 

Possible Answers:

apocryphal

marred

reclusive

robust

articulate

Correct answer:

marred

Explanation:

A ceremony is a formal occasion and rude and obnoxious guests would likely spoil, ruin a formal occasion. So, the correct answer is "marred," which means spoiled, ruined. Additionally, "robust" means strong, healthy, sturdy; "apocryphal" means (of a story) probably not true; "articulate" means well spoken, eloquent; "reclusive" means solitary, trying to avoid the company of other people

Example Question #344 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The food was extremely __________ and she went back for a second helping.

Possible Answers:

laden

awry

ductile

palatable

acrimonious

Correct answer:

palatable

Explanation:

If the subject of this sentence went back to get more of the food it makes sense that she found it pleasant tasting, delicious, tasty, or "palatable." Additionally, "acrimonious" means (of a conflict) bitter, long-lasting and spiteful; "awry" means amiss, 'out of place'; "laden" means weighed down with, burdened by; "ductile" means able to be bent and shaped, malleable.

Example Question #345 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She found him __________ and wanted to spend more time with him in the future.

Possible Answers:

illiterate

conniving

ambivalent

congenial

condescending

Correct answer:

congenial

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that describes a positive personality trait. The correct answer is therefore "congenial," which means pleasant, friendly, agreeable, affable. Additionally, "illiterate" means not able to read or write; "conniving" means manipulative, sneaky, cunning; "condescending" means acting like you know better than someone else, talking down to someone else; "ambivalent" means uncertain, having mixed feelings about something.

Example Question #346 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

I feel sorry for him that he has to suffer in __________ poverty, but I just don't have enough money to help.

Possible Answers:

tactful

abject

hospitable

attentive

lenient

Correct answer:

abject

Explanation:

Based on the use of the words "suffer" and "poverty" you can determine that you are looking for an adjective that relates to suffering and feeling wretched, hopeless, and miserable. The correct answer is therefore "abject." Additionally, "lenient" means tolerant, not strict; "tactful" means polite, knowing the right thing to say; "hospitable" means welcoming; "attentive" means kind and considerate, paying attention to the needs of others.

Example Question #347 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

His mother worried that he was not __________ enough to survive the ordeal.

Possible Answers:

loquacious

bashful

robust

senile

fervent

Correct answer:

robust

Explanation:

To begin with an "ordeal" is a difficult set of circumstances, something to be suffered through. So, it makes sense that the mother would worry her son was not healthy and strong enough. The correct answer is therefore "robust." Additionally, "fervent" means passionate; "senile" means mentally weak due to old age; "bashful" means shy and easily embarrassed; "loquacious" means talkative.

Example Question #348 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

I wish she would be less __________ of my concerns and actually listen to what I have to say.

Possible Answers:

rakish

abstemious

dismissive

reclusive

supple

Correct answer:

dismissive

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence clearly wants the subject of this sentence to listen to them and not ignore them. The correct answer is therefore "dismissive," which means showing that something is not worth one's time, implying something is unimportant and should be ignored. Additionally, "rakish" means charming, dashing; "supple" means bendy, flexible; "reclusive" means inclined towards avoiding people, liking being alone; "abstemious" means not self indulgent, not allowing oneself to indulge in one's desires, sober and moderate.

Example Question #349 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The situation was exacerbated due to the junior worker's __________ handling of the problem.

Possible Answers:

inept

fortunate

apt

timely

genteel

Correct answer:

inept

Explanation:

To begin with "exacerbated" means made more intense or, in this context, made worse. So, based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that relates to not being skilled, doing something poorly. The correct answer is therefore "inept," which means lacking skill, incompetent, not capable. Additionally, "genteel" means polite and refined; "fortunate" means lucky; "apt" means appropriate, right for a certain situation; "timely" means happening at the right time.

Example Question #350 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She was confused by the teacher's explanation and asked him to provide a more __________ explanation.

Possible Answers:

incorrigible

meek

opinionated

lucid

poised

Correct answer:

lucid

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means something like clearly expressed, easily able to be understood, straightforward and clear. So, the correct answer is "lucid." Additionally, "meek" means shy, reserved, withdrawn; "incorrigible" means unable to be controlled; "opinionated" means having strong opinions and expressing them often; "poised" means showing calm and composure in a stressful situation.

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