All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #601 : Sentence Completions
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
Marcia worked hard to provide a steady ___________ for her family.
buffoon
income
famine
bilk
fervor
income
It seems logical that Marcia would work hard to provide something beneficial (helpful) for her family. This rules out "famine," which means a period of sustained hunger or food shortage. "Bilk" is a verb that means cheat, and a "buffoon" is a fool. So, neither of those answer choices work either. An "income" is money earned through work, and this is the only logical answer choice. The other possible answer choice “fervor” means passion.
Example Question #602 : Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Peter asked his mother the same question three times, but this __________ never led to any answers from his silent parent.
chanting
inquisition
annoyance
repetition
vexation
repetition
For this question, you cannot infer that the son was being annoying (or that he was not being annoying). What is obvious, however, is that he is repeating his questions. This is indicated by "the same question three times." Therefore, it is his repetition, not the annoyance of that repetition (etc), that is without effect on his mother.
Example Question #603 : Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
After many successes, Theodore found himself at the __________ of his career, thinking he could not accomplish anything greater.
collapse
overcoming
pride
arrogance
pinnacle
pinnacle
The key expression in this sentence is "thinking he could not accomplish anything greater." The implication is that Theodore is "at the top" of his career. The word "pinnacle" means high point, as in the high point or peak of a mountain. This word is often used metaphorically to describe the high point of some life process (like someone's career).
Example Question #604 : Sentence Completions
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
The mountain climbers wanted to make it all the way to the __________, but first they had to scale a thousand feet of icy glaciers.
expedition
summit
base
nadir
zenith
summit
The context of the sentence and the use of the phrase “all the way,” suggests that the mountain climbers wanted to reach the "summit,” which means the top of a mountain. To further help you, a zenith is the highest point reached in the sky by a celestial object; "nadir" means lowest point; "expedition" means journey or voyage.
Example Question #605 : Sentence Completions
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
The __________ of the apartment building are feeling dismayed at the terrible condition the complex has taken lately.
fraternal
neophytes
occupants
magnates
doctors
occupants
The word "dismayed" means upset, angered, so it follows that people who live in the apartment complex would likely to be upset by its terrible condition. This tells us that the correct choice is “occupants,” which means residents. To further help you, a "magnate" is a business owner; "neophytes" are beginners; "fraternal" means of brothers or related to brotherhood.
Example Question #381 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Its been almost eight years since I last spoke to my father, but it saddens me deeply to have lost __________ with him and I plan to call him soon.
contact
cogent
cacophony
visage
acumen
contact
From the context of the sentence, you know that the author is not speaking to his father. This means he has lost "contact" with him, so "contact" is the correct answer. To provide further help, "cogent" means clear and logical and often refers to arguments, explanations, or texts, a "cacophony" is a harsh or unpleasant sound, "acumen" is the ability to make good decisions or wisdom, and someone's "visage" is his or her facial appearance.
Example Question #382 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The political system in which the supreme power of government lies in the hands of the common people is called __________.
autocracy
theocracy
dictatorship
democracy
oligarchy
democracy
The name of the political system where the power rests with the people is called "democracy," so "democracy" is the correct answer. To provide further help, "theocracy" is rule by religion or religious figures, "oligarchy" is rule by a few individuals, an "autocracy" is another name for a dictatorship or rule by one person, or a government in which power rests with one supreme, unquestionable ruler.
Example Question #383 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
From the top of the Empire State building I could see a complete __________ of the whole of New York City.
hypertension
convocation
history
panorama
garrison
panorama
The context of the sentence tells us that the author was on top of the Empire State building and was able to see something about New York City. Because the author is high up, it makes sense that he or she could a complete "panorama" of New York City. "Panorama" means a complete view of something in every direction. To provide further help, "hypertension" is high blood pressure, a "convocation" is a meeting, and a "garrison" is a group of military troops left behind to defend something.
Example Question #21 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
Lions are __________; they eat only meat.
herbivores
omnivores
carnivores
belligerent
subservient
carnivores
From the context of the sentence you know that the blank word must describe how the lion only eats meat. An animal that only eats meat is called a "carnivore." To provide further help, an "herbivore" is an animal that only eats plants and am omnivore is an animal that eats plants and meat, like a human; "belligerent" means aggressive; "subservient" means willing to be dominated or ruled by someone else.
Example Question #22 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
__________ is the study of human existence and the nature of reality.
Philosophy
Chemisty
Biography
Biology
Astrology
Philosophy
To answer this question you need to know that "philosophy" is the name given to the study of human existence and reality. If you did not know that you would probably have to eliminate as many answer choices as possible and guess an answer. So "biology" means the study of life, and "chemisty" means the study of the nature and interaction of matter; a "biography" is a non-fiction story told about someone; "astrology" is using the position of the stars and planets to predict the future.
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