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 #591 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He was found guilty of __________ and sentenced to two years in prison.

Possible Answers:

semblance

perjury

lassitude

ferment

banter

Correct answer:

perjury

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you need to determine which of these is a noun that describes a crime for which someone might be imprisoned. The correct answer is "perjury" which is lying under oath, lying in court. Additionally, "lassitude" is a state of exhaustion or weariness; "ferment" is a state of agitated excitement and passion; "semblance" means likeness, having the appearance of something else; "banter" is playful teasing, making fun of someone in a friendly manner.

Example Question #592 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

There were many __________ on the course, but he kept his composure and stayed out of trouble.

Possible Answers:

editors

hearths

catacombs

hazards

docks

Correct answer:

hazards

Explanation:

The context of this sentence suggests that the correct answer is a noun that means dangers, things to be wary of. So, the correct answer is "hazards." A "hazard" is a danger, an obstacle. Things can also be "hazardous," which means dangerous, unsafe. Additionally, a "hearth" is either a fireplace or a spiritual home; a "dock" is a port, a harbor, a place for ships to anchor; an "editor" is someone who reads other people's work and edits it; a "catacomb" is an underground cemetery, a crypt.

Example Question #593 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She distracted the __________ so that the prisoners of war could escape.

Possible Answers:

refugee

academic

hermit

merchant

sentry

Correct answer:

sentry

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a noun that means something like watchman, guard, military guard. So, the correct answer is "sentry." Additionally, a "refugee" is someone who flees danger in their own country to seek safety in another country; an "academic" is someone who studies, learns, and teachers for a living, a professor; a "hermit" is a person living alone who avoids human contact; a "merchant" is a trader, someone who sells goods for a living.

Example Question #594 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The audience could see through his __________ and knew not to take him seriously.

Possible Answers:

umbrage

frailty

brutality

tome

bombast

Correct answer:

bombast

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that you are looking for a noun that means something like insincere talk that should not be taken seriously or accepted as true. The correct answer is therefore "bombast." Someone who is "bombastic" is pompous and sounding smarter than they actually are. Additionally, "umbrage" is offense; a "tome" is a lengthy book; "frailty" is weakness; "brutality" is violence and cruelty.

Example Question #595 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

After she finished her book, Henrietta gave it to Nigel so that he could give her recommendations regarding _____________ that needed to be made to improve the text.

Possible Answers:

publications

details

interrogations

locutions

revisions

Correct answer:

revisions

Explanation:

The general idea of this sentence is that Nigel is going to recommend some changes to the book. Whenever we change a text (or anything that we make) so as to improve its overall quality, we make "revisions" to the text. Really, any kind of general change of something can be called revisions. Hence, there can be revised styles of cars and revisions in the color of a line of clothes.

Example Question #821 : Sentence Completions

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

Since the child did not want to do his homework, his parents had to offer him a(n) _____________ to encourage him to do it.

Possible Answers:

Incentive

Inventory

Prize

Elective

Treasure

Correct answer:

Incentive

Explanation:

This sentence indicates that the child needed a reason to do his work. Whenever we do something that helps to give a reason in this way, we offer an "incentive" for that person. An "incentive" is something that encourages us to undertake and complete a given task.

Example Question #822 : Sentence Completions

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

The visitor to the factory was quite impressed by the ____________; the manufacturing of the products was a very detailed and difficult affair.

Possible Answers:

Economics

Technology

Laborers

Planning

Operation

Correct answer:

Operation

Explanation:

You likely know the word "operation" in its medical meaning. In this sense, an "operation" is a specific kind of task—the sort of thing done by doctors and surgeons. The word can have a more general meaning as well. An "operation" is any particular activity. In this sentence, it is hinted that the visitor was impressed by the overall process of the manufacturing. The word "operation" is the only general term that indicates such a process.

Example Question #823 : Sentence Completions

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

In order to complete any major project, you need to have great __________ in order to be devoted to working on it every single day.

Possible Answers:

Personality

Discipline

Courage

Flair

Reflection

Correct answer:

Discipline

Explanation:

The key expression in the sentence is "every single day." This little phrase indicates that the sentence is discussing a kind of character trait that leads us to do something continuously and devotedly. "Discipline" is just this kind of character trait. 

Example Question #824 : Sentence Completions

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

In order to make an informed choice, it is best to gather as much __________ as possible to help guarantee that you have thought through all of the details of the situation.

Possible Answers:

data

gossip

scholarship

friendship

media

Correct answer:

data

Explanation:

This sentence is very direct, and you should not overthink what is needed. In order to be well informed, you should gather as much information as is possible. Of course, information is not found among the options provided here. The closest word to this is "data." Technically "media" is pretty close to "data," but data can come in many forms. While "media" is a relatively flexible term, "data" is even more general, so it is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #825 : Sentence Completions

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

Whenever the senator arrived at the ball, he was surprised that he did not receive a(n) ______________ that befitted his dignity. Instead, he was merely allowed to enter alone without anyone to meet him at all.

Possible Answers:

tribute

applauding

legislation

admiration

reception

Correct answer:

reception

Explanation:

Notice in the second half of the sentence that it is said that nobody met the senator upon his arrival. This indicates that he was not given any kind of reception. Although we often talk about "reception" with regard to things like telephone service and internet signal, this word can also mean the kind of taking in that happens when we greet someone—for instance, at a ball like the one described above. From what we can tell in this question, it does not seem that the senator was expecting any kind of praise or tribute. He was just surprised that nobody even noticed and greeted him.

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