ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Parts of Speech

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.

The __________ knitting pattern that was needed to create the matching mittens and hat was difficult to master, even for expert knitters.

Possible Answers:

frail

fixed

illustrative

rugged

intricate

Correct answer:

intricate

Explanation:

The word difficult indicates that the pattern was most likely complex and "intricate" in nature. "Rugged" is rough; "fixed" is held in place; "illustrative" is explanatory; and "frail" is dainty.

Example Question #92 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.

The __________ child tripped over objects and her own two feet quite often.

Possible Answers:

ingenious

cultivated

faulty

suave

ungainly

Correct answer:

ungainly

Explanation:

The child seems to be rather clumsy, or "ungainly," in maneuvering around things. The incorrect answer choices are as follows: "ingenious" is creative; "faulty" is wrong; "suave" is dignified; and "cultivated" is sophisticated.

Example Question #93 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.

The __________ circumstances required that the family seek shelter in their basement from the treacherous storm.

Possible Answers:

irrational

unfathomable

dire

peculiar

creditable

Correct answer:

dire

Explanation:

Due to the violent nature of the storm, the circumstances are probably "dire" or alarming. The circumstances are not as likely "irrational" or unreasonable; "creditable" or praiseworthy; "peculiar" or odd; or "unfathomable" or not easily understood.

Example Question #94 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The House of Representatives holds elections every two years and this __________ occasion allows the American people to hold their representatives to greater levels of accountability. 

Possible Answers:

centennial

fraternal

biennial

memorial

annual

Correct answer:

biennial

Explanation:

The sentence tells us that this occasion occurs every two years. Something that occurs every two years is described as“biennial.” To provide further help, “annual” means occuring every year; a “centennial” is a one-hundred year anniversary; a “memorial” is something constructed to remember something or someone; “fraternal” means brotherly

Example Question #95 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Dinosaurs were __________ creatures that existed before the beginning of written history. 

Possible Answers:

traditional

prehistoric

fictional

phony

antiquated

Correct answer:

prehistoric

Explanation:

Because dinosaurs existed before the beginnings of written history, we call them “prehistoric.” Where the prefix "pre-" means coming before. To provide further help, “antiquated” means old or ancient and could be used to describe dinosaurs, but does not fully capture the significance of “written history;” “fictional” means not true; “phony” means fake

Example Question #96 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The two politicians were constantly debating and arguing because they had such __________ ideals.

Possible Answers:

incongruent

deliberate

similar

difficult

dense

Correct answer:

incongruent

Explanation:

When two things are matching or in agreement, we say that they are "congruent." The opposite of this is "incongruent." The context of the sentence tells us that the politicians never agree with one another, so their ideals must be "incongruent."

Example Question #97 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The villain had a dark and __________ look on his face when he talked about his nefarious plans for world domination.

Possible Answers:

happy

unpleasent

unbearable

sinister

joyful

Correct answer:

sinister

Explanation:

The context of the sentence tells us that the villain is evil and wicked. It would follow that his appearance would be "sinister," which means evil or dangerous in appearance.

Example Question #98 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Someone who supports their country indefatigably is said to be highly __________.

Possible Answers:

patriotic

traitorous

treasonous

political

itinerant

Correct answer:

patriotic

Explanation:

The key to solving this sentence is to know the meaning of the word “indefatigable.” It means untiring, relentless, so someone who supports their country relentlessly or constantly could reasonably be said to be highly “patriotic.” Being “patriotic” means having pride or great love for one’s country. To provide further help, “treasonous” and “traitorous” are synonyms of one another; both words describe someone who betrays a cause. Additionally, “itinerant” means nomadic, wandering.

Example Question #99 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

__________ people lack a certain pigment in their skin and as a result have very unusual skin color.

Possible Answers:

Aboriginal 

Albino 

Inuit

Pious 

Nomadic 

Correct answer:

Albino 

Explanation:

People who lack pigmentation in their skin are called “albino.” An “albino” human is usually very white in skin color. To provide further help, “Inuit” is a tribe of people native to Alaska and Northern Canada; “pious” means devout, very religious; “nomadic” means wandering, without a home; “aboriginal” means native peoples.

Example Question #100 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

It is likely that she was __________ at the moment of impact because she seemed to act to try and defend herself.

Possible Answers:

tenable 

unconscious 

somnambulant

conscious 

untenable 

Correct answer:

conscious 

Explanation:

The author tells us that the subject of this sentence acted to try to defend herself at the moment of impact; this suggests she must have been awake, and aware of what was going on. The subject could therefore be said to be “conscious.” To provide further help, “unconscious” means asleep or not aware; “somnambulant” means sleep-walking; “tenable” means reasonable or able to be maintained, whereas “untenable” means not able to be maintained.

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