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 #751 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The general sent out a party of scouts to __________ for weakness.

Possible Answers:

perspire

divulge

diverge

propagate

probe

Correct answer:

probe

Explanation:

Logically a general would send out scouts to search for, explore for, look for a weakness, so the correct answer is "probe." To "probe" means to examine for, to look around for, to search without going too deeply. Additionally, "diverge" means go a different route, go away from the main path; "divulge" means reveal; "propagate" means spread; "perspire" means sweat.

Example Question #751 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He was found guilty of __________ crimes committed by others.

Possible Answers:

rectifying

elongating

blossoming

enervating

abetting

Correct answer:

abetting

Explanation:

In order for the subject to have been found guilty of crimes committed by others he must have been helping, assisting or "abetting" them. To "abet" means to help do wrong, to assist in some wrongdoing. Additionally, to "elongate" means to make longer; to "blossom" means to grow, to flourish, to emerge; to "rectify" means to fix, to solve; to "enervate" means to weaken.

Example Question #752 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Fearing the consequences if she refused, the lady quickly __________ to the proposal.

Possible Answers:

assented

descended

deluded

alluded

ascended

Correct answer:

assented

Explanation:

If the lady fears refusing the proposal then it makes sense that she would quickly agree to, approve, consent to, or "assent." "Assented" means agreed to, consented to. Additionally, "deluded" means misled, holding an incorrect belief; "alluded" means hinted at; "ascended" means gone up; "descended" means gone down.

Example Question #754 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The water is not safe to drink because it has been __________.

Possible Answers:

elevated

contaminated

residual

lambasted

frenetic

Correct answer:

contaminated

Explanation:

Something has happened to make the water unsafe to drink, which of these answer choices relates to making something impure or poisonous? The correct answer is "contaminated." To "contaminate" something means to make it impure, to poison. Additionally, to "lambast" means criticize severely; "residual" means left over, remaining; "frenetic" means fast-paced, out of control, wild and chaotic; "elevated" means raised up, lifted up.

Example Question #755 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

It took a long time for the waves to __________ after the powerful storm.

Possible Answers:

locate

retract

subside

replenish

ordain

Correct answer:

subside

Explanation:

After a powerful storm it would take a long time for waves to die down, become less intense, or "subside." Additionally, "replenish" means fill up, restock; "locate" means find; "ordain" means make holy, make formal; "retract" means withdraw, go back.

Example Question #756 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

They had to __________ the body to see how he died.

Possible Answers:

exhume

expire

respire

aspire

repose

Correct answer:

exhume

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the verb you are looking for relates to the retrieval of a dead body. The correct answer is therefore "exhume" which means to dig up a body. Additionally, "repose" means rest; "respire" means breathe; "aspire" means aim for; "expire" means die, run out, become no longer fresh.

Example Question #757 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The designer advised against __________ on the details, but they were determined to do anything to cut costs.

Possible Answers:

delineating

evading

skimping

dousing

validating

Correct answer:

skimping

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the verb you are looking for must relate to cutting costs, avoiding expenses. So, the correct answer is "skimping." To "skimp" means to be stingy with money, to avoid spending money. Additionally, to" delineate" means to break down and list; to "douse" means to cover in water; "evade" means avoid, get out of the way of; to "validate" means to provide evidence or support for.

Example Question #758 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The pizza __________ of dough, tomato sauce, cheese, and onions.

Possible Answers:

reclines

violates

innovate

consults

consists

Correct answer:

consists

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means something like made of, composed of. So, the correct answer is "consists." To "consist" of means to be made of. Additionally, to "violate" means to break or fail to listen to (the rules, someone's rights); "innovate" means come up with new solutions, invent; "recline" means lean back; "consult" means ask for advice.

Example Question #759 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She turned down a job at the booming company and was left to __________ the decision when the person who accepted the job became extremely wealthy.

Possible Answers:

trickle

mar

rue

throttle

vegetate

Correct answer:

rue

Explanation:

The series of events described in this sentence would be likely to leave someone bitter and regretful, so the correct answer is "rue." To "rue" means to regret, to wish you had made a different decision. Additionally, "mar" means spoil, ruin; "throttle" means strangle; "vegetate" means to exist in a lazy condition; "trickle" means (of a liquid) flow slowly.

Example Question #760 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He wanted to be heard so he __________ at everyone.

Possible Answers:

confounded

bellowed

scowled

abolished

wafted

Correct answer:

bellowed

Explanation:

If the speaker wanted to be heard it makes sense that he would yell loudly at everyone. The correct answer is therefore "bellowed." Additionally, "scowled" means frowned angrily at; "wafted" means moved slowly through the air, carried by a gentle breeze; "confounded" means confused and surprised; "abolished" means got rid of.

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