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 #881 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Using some strong super glue I was able to __________ together the two pieces of wood.

Possible Answers:

depict

splice

activate

applaud

recite

Correct answer:

splice

Explanation:

Glue is used to join two things together so the correct answer is "splice." To "splice" is to join, to connect, to interweave. Additionally, "recite" means speak aloud and from memory; "depict" means visually represent, draw and show; "applaud" means clap for, praise; "activate" means make active, start up.

Example Question #882 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The Christmas tree was __________ with many beautiful ornaments.

Possible Answers:

adorned

confounded

abdicated

usurped

amassed

Correct answer:

adorned

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means something like decorated. So, the correct answer is "adorned." It can help to remember that "adorn" means decorate, if you think that "ornaments" means decorations. Noting the similarities between the words "adorn" and "ornaments." They sound similar right? Additionally, "amassed" means gathered, collected, compiled; "confounded" means confused, bewildered; "usurp" means take control from, seize power from; "abdicate" means give up power, renounce authority.

Example Question #883 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The politician was widely supported and __________ by people from across the political spectrum.

Possible Answers:

conspired

lofted

perturbed

endorsed

behooved

Correct answer:

endorsed

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like publicly supported. So, the correct answer is "endorsed." To "endorse" something is to offer one's personal support and recommendation publicly. Additionally, "conspire" means plot, plan together against someone else; "perturb" means worry, unnerve, scare; "loft" means throw high in the air, pass; "behoove" means it is one's responsibility to do something, it is in one's best interest to do something.

Example Question #884 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The task of pulling up the carpet __________ him for several days, preventing him from working on anything else.

Possible Answers:

occupied

annoyed

tortured

intrigued

regulated

Correct answer:

occupied

Explanation:

All we know is that the work on the carpet took up the person's time. When we are occupied with something, we spend our time working on that thing or being concerned with it. Yes, it might be annoying or even torturous. All we know is that it took up time. Therefore, "occupied" is by far the best option available.

Example Question #885 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Gerald's annoying questions __________ progress on the project, for his partners had to spend a lot of time answering his endless inquiries.

Possible Answers:

destroyed

impeded

arranged

fooled

disorganized

Correct answer:

impeded

Explanation:

The basic meaning that we are looking for is "slowed." Clearly, Gerald's questions are slowing progress on the project, for the partners are having to stop to answer numerous questions. Whenever something is "impeded," it is "slowed."  An "impediment" is something that gets in the way. The word actually comes from Latin roots that literally mean to put on the foot. (The word "pedal" is related to the "-ped" portion of "impede.") If you have something on your foot, you certainly are not going to get things done quickly!

Example Question #886 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Whenever the boy punched the mall guard, he was __________ by security until his parents could come and retrieve him from their custody.

Possible Answers:

interrogated

detained

abused

beat

tortured

Correct answer:

detained

Explanation:

We really are not told anything about physical or emotional abuse in this sentence. All we know is that the boy was held in the custody of security. This means that they held him in a particular place until his parents could come to get him. When we are detained, we are held by something or by someone. Generally, this kind of action happens at the hands of authority. The boy most certainly was detained by the authorities in the mall. Hence, this is by far the best option among those offered here.

Example Question #887 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The clouds __________ in the sky, passing over the mountaintop without even touching its peak.

Possible Answers:

ascended

blew

gusted

floated

pressed

Correct answer:

ascended

Explanation:

A number of these options are likely tempting, as the clouds clearly did travel past the mountain. The sentence does hint that they had to "go up" over the top of the mountain's peak. Therefore, the best option is "ascended," for this expresses most clearly the idea that the clouds are going upward in their travels over the peak.

Example Question #888 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The thief realized that he didn't know the handwriting of the man whose checkbook he had stolen. This was going to make __________ checks quite difficult for him to do.

Possible Answers:

exploit

destroying

abusing

forging

stealing

Correct answer:

forging

Explanation:

Since the sentence talks about the handwriting of the man from whom the checks had been stolen, the best option is to stay as close as possible to this idea of using stolen checks. Therefore, the word "forging" is the best option among those provided. Whenever we "forge" someone's handwriting or signature, we make a copy of it (falsely and deceptively). This is likely what the thief wishes to do.

Example Question #889 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The man hid in the crawlspace under his house, hoping to ___________ detection by the soldiers that had entered his property armed with guns.

Possible Answers:

enforce

expunge

eradicate

implore

evade

Correct answer:

evade

Explanation:

A "crawlspace" is an area under a house, like a very small basement. Clearly the man in question wants to go down there to avoid being detected. Whenever we "evade" something or someone, we try to get away from them or avoid them. This is what the person in question is doing by going down into that area.

Example Question #890 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The impure metal had to be ____________ before it could be sold to customers who expected a product lacking imperfections.

Possible Answers:

refined

heated

blasted

fixed

cleansed

Correct answer:

refined

Explanation:

The general idea of this sentence is that the metal has to be cleansed of its impurities before it is sold. Now, the word "cleansed" might be tempting. Indeed, even "heated" might be tempting if you know about how metals are processed. The best option, however, is "refined." This word means to remove impure elements from something. This is clearly what the sentence calls for, so it is the best option among the various other, tempting options provided.

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