ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #261 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

Our supply of firewood has __________ so I am going out to chop some more.

Possible Answers:

acquiesced

dwindled

endorsed

adorned

meddled

Correct answer:

dwindled

Explanation:

If the speaker of this sentence feels the need to go and chop some more firewood then it makes sense that his supply of firewood has been reduced or "dwindled." To "dwindle" means to become smaller in quantity, to reduce in amount. Additionally, "meddle" means interfere, become involved with something that has nothing to do with you; "endorse" means publicly support; "adorn" means decorate; "acquiesce" means give in to the demands of.

Example Question #262 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

The meteor __________ through the atmosphere at over thirty thousand miles per hour.

Possible Answers:

insinuated

lingered

hurtled

infused

refrained

Correct answer:

hurtled

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that describes rapid, chaotic movement. The correct answer is therefore "hurtled," which means moved very quickly. Additionally, "linger" means remain in one place, stay behind; "insinuate" means accuse, imply someone is guilty; "refrain" means stop oneself from doing, not allow oneself to do; "infuse" means fill with, put into, inject.

Example Question #263 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

The magician was able to __________ the audience with a simple trick.

Possible Answers:

pilfer

atone

befuddle

dissuade

surmount

Correct answer:

befuddle

Explanation:

A magician's trick would naturally confuse and bewilder the audience, so the correct answer is "befuddle." Additionally, "atone" means seek forgiveness for, make amends for; "dissuade" means persuade someone to change their mind, convince not to do something; "surmount" means overcome; "pilfer" means raid and steal, plunder.

Example Question #264 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

Although she did not accuse my son directly, she __________ he was guilty.

Possible Answers:

insinuated

exorcised

effaced

condoned

dismounted

Correct answer:

insinuated

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a word that means to indirectly imply someone is guilty or responsible. The correct answer is therefore "insinuated." Additionally, "exorcise" means rid of demons; "dismount" means get down from; "condone" means allow to happen, permit; "efface" means eliminate, erase, remove.

Example Question #265 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

I was __________ into going to the party by my friend who promised me there would be chocolate cake; there was no cake.

Possible Answers:

carped

penalized

squirmed

interrogated

lured

Correct answer:

lured

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like tempted, tricked into doing, enticed. The correct answer is therefore "lured." To "lure" someone is to get someone to go somewhere or do something by promising some reward. Additionally, "carp" means complain; "squirm" means wriggle with discomfort; "interrogate" means question, as part of an investigation into a crime; "penalize" means punish for breaking the rules.

Example Question #266 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

He tried his hardest to __________ the beautiful woman, but she resisted his advances.

Possible Answers:

beguile

illuminate

queue

invalidate

elaborate

Correct answer:

beguile

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like charm, attract, enchant. So, the correct answer is "beguile." It can also be used as an adjective, in "beguiling," which means charming. Additionally, "illuminate" means shine a light on, light up, make clear; "queue" means wait in line for, line-up; "elaborate" means add further detail to, provide further detail, make more complex; "invalidate" means prove as false, make no longer valid.

Example Question #267 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

It took years of practice before I was finally able to __________ my older brother.

Possible Answers:

establish

surpass

subjugate

retaliate

warble

Correct answer:

surpass

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means something like do better than, go beyond, beat. So, the correct answer is "surpass," which means go beyond, be better than. Additionally, "retaliate" means fight back against; "warble" means sing like a bird; "subjugate" means bring under control, make submissive, exert authority over; "establish" means set up.

Example Question #268 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

He was __________ for a crime committed seven years ago, but he refused to acknowledge his guilt.

Possible Answers:

quelled

indicted

abolished

acclaimed

accented

Correct answer:

indicted

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means something like formally accuse of committing a crime. The correct answer is therefore "indicted." Additionally, "acclaim" means widely praise; "abolish" means get rid of; "accent" means highlight, emphasize, speak in a way that suggests something is of particular importance; "quell" means bring to an end a conflict.

Example Question #269 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

The investigators __________ the house in search of the missing treasure.

Possible Answers:

disputed

enticed

ransacked

amassed

confined

Correct answer:

ransacked

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that relates to searching. So, the correct answer is "ransacked." To "ransack" is to search through in a messy and destructive manner. Additionally, "amass" means gather, collect; "confine" means imprison, lock away; "entice" means lure, tempt, attract; "dispute" means to argue against a particular point.

Example Question #270 : Sentence Completions: Verbs

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

Her ideas __________ with my own and we made a great team.

Possible Answers:

alluded

retrieved

stifled

shunned

dovetailed

Correct answer:

dovetailed

Explanation:

Based on the fact that the speaker believes that he and the girl made a great team you can reasonably determine that the correct answer is a verb that means something like fit together. The correct answer is therefore "dovetailed." To "dovetail" is to join together, to fit together. Additionally, "retrieve" means fetch, go get and bring back; "stifle" means hold back, prevent from doing; "shun" means banish, ignore, avoid; "allude" means hint at, suggest at, imply.

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