All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #511 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
My grandfather was a strange man who had many unique __________.
prophecies
idiosyncrasies
monotheisms
ordinances
polytheisms
idiosyncrasies
In this sentence you are told that the speaker's grandfather was strange and possessed certain unique things. The answer choice that matches with the implication of "strange" and "unique" is "idiosyncrasies." An "idiosyncrasy" is a weird personality trait, a quirk, unique to an individual. Additionally, "monotheism" is the belief in one God; "polytheism" is the belief in many Gods; "prophecies" are predictions about the future; "ordinances" are local laws, rules of a small community.
Example Question #512 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Eating too much food has the __________ of making someone fat.
diatribe
obituary
inkling
affect
effect
effect
One of the hardest rules to consistently get right in the English language is the difference between "effect" and "affect." The simplest way to think of it is as follows - to "affect" something means to influence; the "effect" of something is the result, the consequence, so you "affect" something to produce an "effect." In this sentence a consequence or "effect" is being produced - someone is made fat as a consequence of eating too much. So, the correct answer is "effect." Additionally, an "obituary" is a formal article in a newspaper written to describe someone's life after they have died; a "diatribe" is a passionate verbal attack against something; an "inkling" is an idea, a suspicion, that something is true.
Example Question #513 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ mission backfired when the scouts were spotted and captured.
jocular
reconnaissance
fraudulent
evasive
pacifist
reconnaissance
All you know about the mission in question is that it was undertaken by scouts, so it must have been exploratory in nature. A mission, particularly a military mission, designed to collect information is known as a "reconnaissance" mission. Additionally, "fraudulent" means not genuine, designed to deceive, fake; "evasive" means hard to capture, hard to blame; a "pacifist" is someone who seeks to avoid conflict, not an aggressive person; "jocular" means playful, joking, in a good mood.
Example Question #514 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Juggling is not the clown's __________ and he is going to drop the balls.
repository
creed
forte
misgiving
panache
forte
If the clown is going to drop the balls then juggling must not be his strong point or "forte." A "forte" is something one is especially good at, a strong point. Additionally, "panache" is style; a "repository" is a place where things are stored; a "creed" is a formal belief within a system of beliefs; a "misgiving" is something one is concerned about, a problem had with something.
Example Question #515 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ball was knocked off its __________ when it collided with a passing bird.
ceremony
allegory
trajectory
industry
probity
trajectory
The collision between a bird and a ball would cause the ball to change its path or "trajectory." Additionally, "industry" means work or business; a "ceremony" is a special, formal occasion meant to be performed a certain way; an "allegory" is a story with some hidden meaning meant to impart a certain lesson; "probity" means integrity, the quality of having strong moral principles.
Example Question #516 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ meets once a month to discuss how to improve park safety.
despot
mentality
boon
syndicate
grievance
syndicate
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a group of people who meet to discuss some shared interest or aspiration. The correct answer is therefore "syndicate." Additionally, a "grievance" is a complaint; a "despot" is an autocratic, tyrannical rules, someone who has absolute power in a society; a "boon" means a gift, a period of prosperity; "mentality" means state of mind.
Example Question #517 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her __________ quickly changed from positive to despondent when she heard the bad news.
comprehension
mentality
idiosyncrasy
caution
guerrilla
mentality
The adjectives being used, "positive" and "despondent" are being used to describe the subject's state of mind before and after hearing bad news. So, the correct answer must mean something like state of mind, how someone is feeling in a moment. So, the correct answer is "mentality." Additionally, an "idiosyncrasy" is a personality quirk, a trait unique to one person; a "guerrilla" is a rebel; "comprehension" is understanding; "caution" is the quality of being careful.
Example Question #148 : Sentence Completions: Nouns
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The invention of fertilizer was quite a __________ for farmers.
tribulation
boon
retort
banality
tremor
boon
The invention of fertilizer helps farmers to grow more and healthier produce so it would naturally be considered a blessing, gift, benefit, or a "boon." A "boon" is some gift that offers some advantage. Additionally, a "retort" is a response in an argument; a "tremor" is a shake; a "tribulation" is some difficulty to be overcome; "banality" is the quality of being banal, the condition of being unoriginal.
Example Question #1984 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She dropped off her things at the __________ to be stored whilst she was away in the army.
infirmary
impunity
expediency
university
repository
repository
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a place where things are stored. The correct answer is therefore a "repository." Additionally, an "infirmary" is another name for a hospital; "expediency" means the quality of being quick and convenient; "impunity" means the quality of not being able to be punished.
Example Question #511 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The audience was thoroughly entertained by the __________ of the performer.
panache
apathy
frivolity
despondency
clarity
panache
Based on the context of this sentence you know that the answer you are looking for must relate to a style that is found entertaining. The correct answer is therefore "panache" which means a certain style that makes one a good performer, a flourish and confidence of performance. Additionally, "apathy" is the quality of not caring; "despondency" is hopelessness; "clarity" is the quality of being clear and easily understood; "frivolity" means the quality of not being serious.
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