All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #88 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When the science teacher accidentally mixed the wrong chemicals together, the __________ fumes caused the entire school to be evacuated.
calm
noxious
aggressive
aromatic
pleasant
noxious
We know that the science teacher mixed the wrong chemicals together AND that this caused the school to be evacuated. We can infer, then, that the fumes were bad for people. The only answer that fits this description is "noxious," meaning harmful or dangerous.
Example Question #89 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The principal __________ Robbie's telephone because he continually violated the school rules and used it in class.
permitted
obfuscate
confiscated
activated
abducted
confiscated
Since Robbie was not following school rules by using his telephone in class, we can infer that the principal would either do something to force Robbie to follow the rules, or punish him in some way. "Confiscate" is a verb that means to surrender something to a legal authority.
Example Question #81 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sam and Tom were disgusted when they discovered that they had paid $200 for a(n) __________ autograph of their favorite football player.
genuine
disheveled
ingenious
counterfeit
authentic
counterfeit
Since Tom and Sam were disgusted at the discovery, we can infer that they did not get what they thought they were paying for. "Counterfeit" means fake or false. "Authentic" and "genuine" are both antonyms to "counterfeit." "Disheveled" refers to a messy appearance. "Ingenious" describes a very clever idea or person.
Example Question #82 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Ariana went to the __________ store to have her wedding invitations personalized.
jewelry
florist
stationery
accessory
stationary
stationery
"Wedding invitations" are paper products, so Ariana is going to a store that sells paper products. "Florists" sell flowers, "jewelry" stores sell jewelry, and an "accessory," in this instance, is something that is an extra item for an outfit. For instance, a scarf might be an accessory. This leaves "stationery" and "stationary." "Stationery," with an "e" refers to paper products, while "stationary," with an "a" refers to something that doesn't move.
Example Question #83 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Li was determined to finish the race despite the __________ weather conditions.
transverse
adverse
superior
averse
inverse
adverse
The key words in this sentence are "determined" and "despite." These words indicate that Li is facing an obstacle. We can infer that an obstacle to finishing a race would be poor weather conditions. "Adverse" means not ideal, which fits the sentence. "Averse" means against and "inverse" means opposite.
Example Question #84 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Maria was disappointed in her friends due to their insistence she try to fit in with the crowd more, and felt __________ by them.
comforted
misunderstood
amused
praised
entertained
misunderstood
It's likely Maria feels misunderstood by her friends who wish she "fit in" and not be herself. "Entertained" and "amused" are similar in meaning, and do not describe how Maria feels in a situation in which she's pressured to be like others. Finally, far from "praising" her, Maria's friends are putting her under significant pressure.
Example Question #85 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While Mike and Doug felt __________ about their team's win in the tournament, Jake felt __________ about what he thought was cheating on their part.
sad . . . sullen
remorseful . . . content
satisfied . . . wasteful
elated . . . euphoric
happy . . . conflicted
happy . . . conflicted
The word "while" at the beginning of the sentence signals the presence of opposition between two or more elements in this sentence. In this case, there are two friends who are happy about their team's win, while another friend who is not. Given that Jake is unhappy about how the team reached their goal of winning, he's likely conflicted-- probably torn about cheering with his friends and teammates, but unable to fully engage due to their act of cheating. Therefore, the best answer is "happy" and "conflicted." The other pairs do not fully express the strong oppostion that presents itself in the scenario the sentence describes--for one "elated" and "euphoric" are very close in meaning (not opposites), as well as, "sad" and "sullen" (both are very close). "Satisfied" and "wasteful" are not opposites, and a cheating scandal does not make you feel "wasteful" as much as ethically at odds. The same with "remorseful" and "content;" they are not opposites and do not fit the emotions described in the sentence.
Example Question #86 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the scientists __________ the latest results, they agreed that part of the experiment had been well done.
confirmed
corrected
disputed
consented
disturbed
disputed
Identify the key transition term in the sentence: "although." It calls forth an opposition; in this case, between scientists' negative reaction to some results and their aproval of the part of the method that was used to produce them. You are looking for a word in the negative slot, that would allow you to say that the scientists did not agree with the results. "Corrected," "consented," and "confirmed" are all positive words; and "disturbed" is an awkward choice to describe disagreement, so therefore you can eliminate it. The scientists disputed the results, despite agreeing with the experiment.
Example Question #87 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Select the word or pair that best completes the sentence.
Tania and her mother accepted the fact that they would not be able to purchase a dog, since getting one would mean that one of them had to come home early to feed him and take him for a walk. Therefore, they __________ for a cat.
settled
triumphed
fought
celebrated
struggled
settled
To "settle" for something means to become satisfied with it after your first option becomes unavailable or unattainable. Since Tania and her mom really want a dog, but decide they can't care for it, they "settle" for a cat. The other options do not adequately convey the idea of choosing your second best option.
Example Question #88 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
As a foreigner living in the United States, I have to be extra careful not to commit any crimes or I run the risk of being __________.
reinstated
exhumed
infected
daunted
deported
deported
The speaker of this sentence is an immigrant living in America. Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must mean something like removed from the country for committing a crime. The correct answer is therefore "deported." To provide further help, "daunted" means frightened, intimidated; "exhumed" means dug up, as in dug up a corpse; "infected" means made sick; "reinstated" means brought back, allowed to rejoin something.
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