All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #141 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He is considered a(n) __________ so no-one will question his judgment.
intermediate
subordinate
novice
connoisseur
braggart
connoisseur
You know that no one will question the subject's judgment so he must be known as an expert or a "connoisseur." A "connoisseur" is someone who knows a great deal about some particularly culture or food. Additionally, a "novice" is a beginner; an "intermediate" is someone in the middle of learning something, neither a novice nor an expert; a "braggart" is someone arrogant and boring who brags about themselves; a "subordinate" is someone under the control of someone else, an inferior.
Example Question #142 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
You have to work hard in order to achieve your __________.
allegations
aspirations
renumerations
obligations
shortcomings
aspirations
Based on the context of this sentence you know that the noun you are looking for must describe things you work hard to achieve, things you desire, goals. The correct answer is therefore "aspirations." Additionally, "shortcomings" are limitations, things that prevent someone from achieving potential; "obligations" are responsibilities, things that have to be done; "allegations" are statements made accusing someone of a wrongdoing; "renumeration" is payment for work.
Example Question #143 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
My grandfather was a strange man who had many unique __________.
monotheisms
idiosyncrasies
polytheisms
ordinances
prophecies
idiosyncrasies
In this sentence you are told that the speaker's grandfather was strange and possessed certain unique things. The answer choice that matches with the implication of "strange" and "unique" is "idiosyncrasies." An "idiosyncrasy" is a weird personality trait, a quirk, unique to an individual. Additionally, "monotheism" is the belief in one God; "polytheism" is the belief in many Gods; "prophecies" are predictions about the future; "ordinances" are local laws, rules of a small community.
Example Question #144 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Eating too much food has the __________ of making someone fat.
obituary
affect
inkling
diatribe
effect
effect
One of the hardest rules to consistently get right in the English language is the difference between "effect" and "affect." The simplest way to think of it is as follows - to "affect" something means to influence; the "effect" of something is the result, the consequence, so you "affect" something to produce an "effect." In this sentence a consequence or "effect" is being produced - someone is made fat as a consequence of eating too much. So, the correct answer is "effect." Additionally, an "obituary" is a formal article in a newspaper written to describe someone's life after they have died; a "diatribe" is a passionate verbal attack against something; an "inkling" is an idea, a suspicion, that something is true.
Example Question #145 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ mission backfired when the scouts were spotted and captured.
pacifist
reconnaissance
evasive
fraudulent
jocular
reconnaissance
All you know about the mission in question is that it was undertaken by scouts, so it must have been exploratory in nature. A mission, particularly a military mission, designed to collect information is known as a "reconnaissance" mission. Additionally, "fraudulent" means not genuine, designed to deceive, fake; "evasive" means hard to capture, hard to blame; a "pacifist" is someone who seeks to avoid conflict, not an aggressive person; "jocular" means playful, joking, in a good mood.
Example Question #146 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Juggling is not the clown's __________ and he is going to drop the balls.
repository
misgiving
creed
forte
panache
forte
If the clown is going to drop the balls then juggling must not be his strong point or "forte." A "forte" is something one is especially good at, a strong point. Additionally, "panache" is style; a "repository" is a place where things are stored; a "creed" is a formal belief within a system of beliefs; a "misgiving" is something one is concerned about, a problem had with something.
Example Question #147 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ball was knocked off its __________ when it collided with a passing bird.
industry
probity
ceremony
allegory
trajectory
trajectory
The collision between a bird and a ball would cause the ball to change its path or "trajectory." Additionally, "industry" means work or business; a "ceremony" is a special, formal occasion meant to be performed a certain way; an "allegory" is a story with some hidden meaning meant to impart a certain lesson; "probity" means integrity, the quality of having strong moral principles.
Example Question #148 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ meets once a month to discuss how to improve park safety.
mentality
despot
boon
grievance
syndicate
syndicate
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a group of people who meet to discuss some shared interest or aspiration. The correct answer is therefore "syndicate." Additionally, a "grievance" is a complaint; a "despot" is an autocratic, tyrannical rules, someone who has absolute power in a society; a "boon" means a gift, a period of prosperity; "mentality" means state of mind.
Example Question #149 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her __________ quickly changed from positive to despondent when she heard the bad news.
caution
mentality
comprehension
guerrilla
idiosyncrasy
mentality
The adjectives being used, "positive" and "despondent" are being used to describe the subject's state of mind before and after hearing bad news. So, the correct answer must mean something like state of mind, how someone is feeling in a moment. So, the correct answer is "mentality." Additionally, an "idiosyncrasy" is a personality quirk, a trait unique to one person; a "guerrilla" is a rebel; "comprehension" is understanding; "caution" is the quality of being careful.
Example Question #150 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The invention of fertilizer was quite a __________ for farmers.
tribulation
tremor
retort
banality
boon
boon
The invention of fertilizer helps farmers to grow more and healthier produce so it would naturally be considered a blessing, gift, benefit, or a "boon." A "boon" is some gift that offers some advantage. Additionally, a "retort" is a response in an argument; a "tremor" is a shake; a "tribulation" is some difficulty to be overcome; "banality" is the quality of being banal, the condition of being unoriginal.
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