ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Context Clues

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #63 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

The singer was mobbed by his __________ of fans when he left the hotel. 

Possible Answers:

repository

pantheon

legion

viewpoint

panache

Correct answer:

legion

Explanation:

The use of the word "mobbed" provides a clue as to the level of intensity of the correct answer. "Mobbed" means surrounded by, inundated with. So, the correct answer must express the large number of fans that are surrounding the subject. The answer is therefore "legion," which means numerous, a multitude of. To provide further help, a "pantheon" is a group of Gods within a religion; "panache" means style; a "repository" is a place where things are stored; a "viewpoint" is a perspective, a point of view

Example Question #64 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

I have been feeling very __________ this past week; probably because I am still recovering from the cold I caught last weekend.

Possible Answers:

lonesome

arbitrary

feeble

sacred

humane

Correct answer:

feeble

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence is still recovering from a cold so it makes sense that they would be feeling "weak" and "frail." So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices means weak from illness, or made frail. The correct answer is "feeble." To provide further help, "sacred" means holy; "lonesome" means lonely; "arbitrary" means random, a decision made without any clear reason; "humane" means kind and compassionate

Example Question #65 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

She went with her parents to choose a dog and wound up choosing the __________ of the litter because he was so small and cute. 

Possible Answers:

donor

mirage

grandest

runt

occupant

Correct answer:

runt

Explanation:

The dog that the girl chooses is especially small, based on this information the correct answer is "runt." The "runt" is the smallest or weakest of a group of animals. To provide further help, "grandest" means largest, most magnificent; "occupant" means resident, inhabitant, person who lives there; a "mirage" is an optical illusion, something seen that is not really there; a "donor" is a giver, someone who gives to others

Example Question #66 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

The isolated town descended into a state of chaos after the police force was disbanded as people committed crimes with __________

Possible Answers:

enthusiasm

impunity

neglect

reverence

repentance

Correct answer:

impunity

Explanation:

In a circumstance where the police force had been disbanded people would likely feel they could commit crimes without fear of punishment. The correct answer is therefore "impunity." "Impunity" means immunity from retribution, freedom from punishment and consequence. To provide further help, "repentance" means remorse, shame and guilt; "reverence" means deep respect; "neglect" means the state of being uncared for or of not caring for; "enthusiasm" means excitement. Although "enthusiasm" could be a viable answer, it is not as strong as "impunity." 

Example Question #192 : Sentence Completions

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

I like to __________ my food, so I take my time when eating.

Possible Answers:

savor

wean

abet

incriminate

nag

Correct answer:

savor

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence likes to take their time when eating. Something you take the time to casually enjoy is something you "savor." To provide further help, "abet" means aid, assist; "wean" means to become no longer addicted to; "nag" means bother, irritate by telling someone what to do; "incriminate" means provide evidence to suggest someone is guilty

Example Question #67 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

She was often seasick throughout their journey and was jubilant to finally __________ when they reached their destination.

Possible Answers:

disembark

dismember

divulge

subsist

lure

Correct answer:

disembark

Explanation:

If the woman were often sick onboard the ship she would probably be jubilant (very happy) to "leave" the ship. So, to solve this problem you have to determine which of these answers means to get off a boat. The correct answer is therefore "disembark." To provide further help, "divulge" means reveal, as in reveal a secret; "dismember" means pull apart, break; "lure" means attract, usually attract through nefarious means; "subsist" means survive on.

Example Question #68 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

I got into a bit of a(n) __________ with this man who insulted my friend last night.

Possible Answers:

accord 

altercation 

conspiracy 

harmony 

mediation 

Correct answer:

altercation 

Explanation:

If someone insults your friend it makes sense that you would get into an argument or disagreement with him or her. The correct answer then is "altercation." An "altercation" can be a physical confrontation or a verbal argument. To provide further help, "accord" and "harmony" are synonyms, both words mean agreement. Additionally, a "conspiracy" is an agreement between two or more parties to do work together to secretively further their goals; "mediation" is an intervention by a third party to try and resolve an argument between two other parties.

Example Question #71 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

In the nineteenth century European explorers trekked all over the African continent looking for __________ source of the Nile River.

Possible Answers:

lustrous

disorderly

elusive

chastened

gratifying

Correct answer:

elusive

Explanation:

In this sentence you are told that the explorers "trekked all over" an entire continent looking for the source of the Nile River. Because the explorers had to search for so long, the source of the river must have been hard to find, or "elusive." "Elusive" means hard to find, hard to reach or understand. To provide further help, "lustrous" means shiny; "gratifying" means fulfilling, rewarding; "disorderly" means not in order, chaotic, unruly; "chastened" means humbled, subdued, restrained

Example Question #72 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

The storm was picking up around them and the people onboard were very fearful that the ship would __________.

Possible Answers:

aggrandize 

smitten 

elevate 

capsize 

economize 

Correct answer:

capsize 

Explanation:

In a storm it is logical that people onboard a boat would be worried about the boat turning over in the water and possibly sinking. The correct answer then is "capsize" which means (of a ship) to turn over in the water. To provide further help, "smitten" means in love with; "economize" means make a decision that will save money; "aggrandize" means increase power, wealth, or status; "elevate" means rise up

Example Question #73 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation

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

She __________ denied any guilt, but no matter how forceful she was she could not convince the jury of her innocence.

Possible Answers:

creatively

ludicrously

emphatically

notoriously

impeccably

Correct answer:

emphatically

Explanation:

The author of this sentence uses an adjective to describe how the lady defended herself and notes later in the sentence that "no matter how forceful she was . . . " therefore the correct answer must be a synonym of "forcefully." The correct answer then is "emphatically" which means forcefully, firmly. To provide further help, "ludicrously" done in a ridiculous fashion; "impeccably" means done perfectly, flawlessly; "notoriously" means infamously

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