ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Nouns

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.

Lions are __________; they eat only meat.

Possible Answers:

herbivores

subservient

belligerent

omnivores

carnivores

Correct answer:

carnivores

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence you know that the blank word must describe how the lion only eats meat. An animal that only eats meat is called a "carnivore." To provide further help, an "herbivore" is an animal that only eats plants and am omnivore is an animal that eats plants and meat, like a human; "belligerent" means aggressive; "subservient" means willing to be dominated or ruled by someone else.

Example Question #22 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.

__________ is the study of human existence and the nature of reality.

Possible Answers:

Philosophy

Chemisty

Biology

Astrology

Biography

Correct answer:

Philosophy

Explanation:

To answer this question you need to know that "philosophy" is the name given to the study of human existence and reality. If you did not know that you would probably have to eliminate as many answer choices as possible and guess an answer. So "biology" means the study of life, and "chemisty" means the study of the nature and interaction of matter; a "biography" is a non-fiction story told about someone; "astrology" is using the position of the stars and planets to predict the future.

Example Question #23 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

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

My grandparents are fearful of the effects of computers and smart phones on human interaction; you might call them __________

Possible Answers:

technophiles

technophobes

animated

disorganized

parsimonious

Correct answer:

technophobes

Explanation:

The context of this question suggests that the blank word describes two people who are fearful of technology. When answering any questions about fear, look for the suffix "-phobe" or "-phobia," because they mean someone who is afraid of something and fear of something, respectively. "Technophobe" is the correct answer here; it means someone who is afraid of technology. A "technophile," on the other hand, is someone who loves technology, because the suffix "-phile" means someone who loves something. To provide further help, "parsimonious" means not generous with money, "animated" means excited, and "disorganized" means not organized or out of control.

Example Question #24 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

I am very proud of Sarah; she handled the situation with great __________.

Possible Answers:

disgrace

adverse

aplomb

mockery

abyss

Correct answer:

aplomb

Explanation:

Because the author of this sentence is proud of Sarah we can assume that Sarah must have handled the situation well. Of the answer choices, only “aplomb” summarizes this position. Handling something with "aplomb” means dealing with something with style, grace and dignity. “Aplomb” means coolness, style and composure. To provide further help, “disgrace” means shame; “adverse” means not favorable; an “abyss” is a deep hole; “mockery” means ridicule

Example Question #22 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

The Norwegian athlete described her gold medal at the Olympics as the __________ of her career. 

Possible Answers:

apex

debunk

warlock

counsel

plight

Correct answer:

apex

Explanation:

It stands to reason that winning a gold medal would be the best moment or highest point of an athlete’s career. One of the words that means highest point is “apex.” To provide further help, “counsel” means advise, give advice to; “debunk” means prove incorrect; a “warlock” is a male witch, a wizard; “plight” is a dangerous situation.

Example Question #26 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

I choose not to eat meat; vegetables give me all the __________ I need to survive.

Possible Answers:

appropriation

sustenance

inconvenience

degradation

imitation

Correct answer:

sustenance

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, you know that the blank word must mean something like energy or nourishment. The correct answer is therefore “sustenance,” which means the energy and nourishment you need to survive. To provide further help, an “imitation” is a copy; “degradation” means humiliation; “appropriation” means money set aside for some use; an “inconvenience” is a bothersome trouble.

Example Question #27 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

ISEE Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence.

Here in North America, we live in the Northern ­__________; Australians live in the Southern half of the world.

Possible Answers:

equator

radius

diameter

hemisphere

semicircle

Correct answer:

hemisphere

Explanation:

Because the second clause contains the phrase half of the world, we know that the blank term must be “hemisphere.” To provide further help, a “semicircle” is half a circle; the “diameter” is the length of something from one side to the other; the “radius” is half the diameter and relevant to geometry; the “equator” is the imaginary line that runs through the middle of our planet; on one side of the “equator” is the Northern Hemisphere, and on the other side is the Southern Hemisphere.

Example Question #28 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

After spending twenty years in __________ from his homeland, Athanasius was welcomed back when the corrupt political party was removed.

Possible Answers:

condemnation

illumination

longing

brigandage

exile

Correct answer:

exile

Explanation:

Two key phrases help us interpret this sentence: (1) "from his homeland" and (2) "welcomed back." These both imply that Athanasius was sent away from his homeland and then was able to return. It seems that the corrupt political party was involved, so his being sent away was likely by force, not choice.  Although he might have longed for (that is, desired) his homeland, the best answer would be one that merely describes the state of being "sent away." To be "exiled" is to be banished from one's homeland, often for political reasons.

Example Question #22 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

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

Prince Renaldo, unable to attend the great council of the kingdoms, sent a trusted __________ to represent him to the gathered group of rulers.

Possible Answers:

courtier

civilian

delegate

inquisitor

knight

Correct answer:

delegate

Explanation:

From what the sentence states, we know that Renaldo is sending a representative on his behalf. Beyond this, we do not know any details regarding the nature of this person (other than that he or she is trusted). Therefore, we do not know if it is a "civilian" (i.e. someone who is not in the military) or a "knight." Likewise, a "courtier" is an advisor to a royal person but not necessarily a representative on his or her behalf. Finally, an "inquisitor" is someone who investigates a matter. It is related to the words "inquire" and "inquisition," both of which pertain to "questioning." This is the task of an inquisitor, not representing. A "delegate" is a person who is sent on behalf of another as a representative. Often, we think of "delegates to a convention" (as in the United States primary elections), but a prince could likewise send a delegate to represent him. This is the basic meaning of "delegate," which works well in our sentence.

Example Question #29 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

When it is snowing like this, I seldom leave my comfortable __________; I have everything I need in my house and refuse to spend time in the freezing cold. 

Possible Answers:

champion

abode

feud

flaw

chorus

Correct answer:

abode

Explanation:

Based on the context of the second clause, the blank word must mean something like house or home. The correct answer is therefore, “abode,” which is a synonym for home. To provide further help, “feud” is a long-standing disagreement between two or more people; a “flaw” is something wrong with something; a “champion” is the winner.

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