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 #251 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The __________ clouds indicated that a terrible thunderstorm was approaching the town.

Possible Answers:

sinister

benevolent

opaque

neutral

wispy

Correct answer:

sinister

Explanation:

The clue here in the sentence's context is that "a terrible thunderstorm was approaching the town," and therefore the clouds must be "sinister," or menacing.

Example Question #252 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The __________ sunset filled the sky with vibrant colors and was beautiful to observe.

Possible Answers:

picturesque

pungent

sacred

muted

transparent

Correct answer:

picturesque

Explanation:

Since the sunset was "beautiful," the sunset might be described as being "picturesque," which means beautifulattractive, or scenic.

Example Question #253 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The __________ preservatives that are found in certain foods are known to be potentially dangerous due to the fact that they are foreign substances not found in nature.

Possible Answers:

original

native

artificial

multifaceted

sundry

Correct answer:

artificial

Explanation:

Since the sentence talks about "foreign substances not found in nature," the best answer choice is "artificial," since it means man-made or not naturally occurring and is an opposite of "natural."

Example Question #254 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The assignment was not __________ and students could choose whether or not to complete it.

Possible Answers:

finite

enjoyable

continuous

decipherable

obligatory

Correct answer:

obligatory

Explanation:

The best answer choice here is one that takes into account that the assignment was not necessary if "students could choose whether or not to complete it." Therefore, "obligatory" is the best answer choice since the word "not" precedes the empty blank in the sentence, and "obligatory" means necessary.

Example Question #255 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

Her __________ nature caused her to diligently work on her schoolwork and stay focused on her dream of going to medical school.

Possible Answers:

grandiose

ambitious

carefree

jovial

lethargic

Correct answer:

ambitious

Explanation:

The clue in this question is the fact that the subject of the sentence diligently studied. Therefore, we can infer that she was "ambitious," which means driven to achieve challenging goals that one has set for oneself.

Example Question #31 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The statue was __________, so no matter how long the viewers admired it, it did not move.

Possible Answers:

limber

inert

jocular

inept

shoddy

Correct answer:

inert

Explanation:

The key to this sentence is to note that "no matter how long the viewers admired [the statue], it did not move." So, the best answer choice for the blank is "inert," which means unmoving.

Example Question #32 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The child was __________ and the babysitter had a difficult time maintaining order when the child refused to listen to any directions she gave.

Possible Answers:

robust

unruly

passive

zany

intuitive

Correct answer:

unruly

Explanation:

The child was hard to manage and would not listen to directions, and therfore the child was "unruly," or disobedient.

Example Question #38 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

It saddened the children a great deal to watch their grandmother grow old and __________; it is never easy when a loved one changes in ways that are hard to understand.

Possible Answers:

reliable

trustworthy 

energetic 

senile

vigorous 

Correct answer:

senile

Explanation:

The sentence tells you that the grandmother has gotten older and changed in some way that is not enjoyable for the children. "Vigorous" and "energetic" are both loosely synonyms of one another and mean full of life and energy. The answer we are looking for is opposite in meaning to this. It cannot be "reliable," which means dependable, as being dependable is a positive trait, so the answer must be “senile.” "Senility" is the weakening of physical and mental ability with age

Example Question #33 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The smallest puppy somehow proved the most indomitable; sometimes the ­­­­__________ of the litter is forced to adapt to survive and thrive.

Possible Answers:

runt

partner

boss

mother

giant

Correct answer:

runt

Explanation:

The term given to the smallest animal or person in a group is the “runt.”

Example Question #40 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

She was __________ with the stranger in the coffee shop; he was handsome, smart and mysterious - what wasn't to love?

Possible Answers:

stifled 

shunned 

menaced 

absolved 

smitten 

Correct answer:

smitten 

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, you know that the blank term must refer to the love felt instantly by the girl for the handsome man. The answer choice that most closely resembles love is “smitten.” To help you, "menaced" means threatened, "stifled" means restricted or held back, "shunned" means banished or ignored, and "absolved" means freed from guilt. "Smitten" is a synonym of besotted and enamored, and means in love with or having a crush on.

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