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 #221 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He is considered a charming man, but some who know him better think this charisma is a mask for his __________ nature. 

Possible Answers:

relentless

knowledgeable

humble

capacious

malevolent 

Correct answer:

malevolent 

Explanation:

As the author employs the word “but” it suggests that the subject is not really charming, but rather uses his personality to mask an evil nature. This should lead to the correct answer “malevolent,” which means wicked-natured. To provide further help, “knowledgable" means knowing about a topic or wise; “humble” means modest and not arrogant; “capacious” means roomy; and “relentless” means constantly doing something or unstoppable.

Example Question #222 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Eliza was suspended for two days and received a "0" on her paper when her teacher discovered she had deliberately __________ the entire thing from an article on the internet.

Possible Answers:

plagiarized

observed

found

researched

discussed

Correct answer:

plagiarized

Explanation:

"Plagiarism" means to copy someone else's words and not give them credit for it. If you are writing a report and take large chunks of information from a book or website, and don't credit your source, you are plagiarizing the author's work, or taking credit for it. Since, in this case, Eliza was severely punished in an academic setting, and she was punished because she had taken something from the internet, "plagiarism" is the only answer that makes sense. One is not punished merely for "researching," which carries an inherently neutral/positive connotation.

Example Question #223 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Ruth asked Jorge to help her solve a particularly __________ problem.

Possible Answers:

ignorant

simple

determined

unhappy

knotty

Correct answer:

knotty

Explanation:

If Ruth is asking for help, the problem must be difficult. "Knotty" means difficult, when applied to a problem or task.

Example Question #224 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Even though she is my sister I am __________ to help her; she needs to learn this lesson on her own. 

Possible Answers:

reluctant

zealous

eager

detrimental

fortunate

Correct answer:

reluctant

Explanation:

The author notes that his sister needs to learn this lesson on her own meaning he is probably unwilling, hesitant to help her. The correct answer therefore is "reluctant." To provide further help, "detrimental" means harmful; "zealous" means passionate; "fortunate" means lucky; "eager" means enthusiastic

Example Question #225 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ young man did not endear himself to his new colleagues. 

Possible Answers:

deft

dynamic

brash

adept

eloquent

Correct answer:

brash

Explanation:

Because the young man did not "endear" (inspire admiration and affection) himself to his colleagues you can reasonably assume that the correct answer must be something negative. The only negative answer choice is "brash," which means rude, cocky and arrogant, impudent. To provide further help, "eloquent" means well spoken; "deft" and "adept" both mean skilled and capable; "dynamic" means energetic.

Example Question #221 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ man was fired from his job.

Possible Answers:

fearless

incompetent 

massive

tranquil 

muddled 

Correct answer:

incompetent 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices is a negative adjective that might lead to someone getting fired. The correct answer is therefore "incompetent" which means not competent, not capable, not good at something. To provide further help, "muddled" means confused, mixed; "tranquil" means calm, peaceful; "fearless" means brave, not afraid; "massive" means very large

Example Question #222 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The dog was clearly __________ so the old lady went inside to fetch a small bowl of water. 

Possible Answers:

parched 

docile 

lush

aloof

satisfied 

Correct answer:

parched 

Explanation:

The old lady went inside to get water for the dog so the dog must have been very thirsty. The correct answer then is "parched" because this means very thirsty, needing water. To provide further help, "docile" means obedient and harmless; "satisfied" means happy enough; "aloof" means detached, emotionally distant from other people; "lush" means rich and abundant

Example Question #223 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She was told she could not serve on the jury because the defense attorney believed she was not __________.

Possible Answers:

chilly

impartial 

jaded

mundane

flawless

Correct answer:

impartial 

Explanation:

In order to serve on a jury you need to be unbiased, objective, not prejudiced, capable of making a fair decision. The correct answer then is "impartial," someone who is "impartial" is not biased. To provide further help, "flawless" means perfect, without flaws; "chilly" means cold; "mundane" means boring and ordinary; "jaded" means tired, bored of life

Example Question #224 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ young boy could not behave and had to be sent to the principle's office.

Possible Answers:

brawny

outgoing

ludicrous

miscreant

timid

Correct answer:

miscreant

Explanation:

You are told that the boy could not behave and had to be sent to the principle so the correct answer must mean something like badly behaved, troublesome, delinquent. The correct answer is therefore "miscreant." The word "miscreant" can be used as an adjective or a noun, but it effectively has the same meaning. It describes someone who is badly behaved. To provide further help, "brawny" means strong, muscular and tough; "timid" means shy; "outgoing" means confident and sociable; "ludicrous" means ridiculous, absurd, silly.

Example Question #225 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Once the __________ affairs of the mayor's private life were made public he had little choice but to resign from his position.

Possible Answers:

pivotal 

disgruntled 

sordid 

durable 

laudable 

Correct answer:

sordid 

Explanation:

The mayor was forced to resign so the details of his private life must have been something that caused outrage to the general public. The correct answer then is "sordid" which means sleazy, morally corrupt, distasteful and dirty. Additionally, "laudable" means deserving of praise; "pivotal" means crucial, deeply important, the turning point; "durable" means capable of lasting a long time; "disgruntled" means not satisfied, annoyed and angered by

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