ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1011 : Sentence Completions

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

The starving children were __________ by the caring workers.

Possible Answers:

admonished

transcended

pelted

succored

sullied

Correct answer:

succored

Explanation:

The workers are described as "caring" and the children are described as "starving" so it stands to reason that the workers are caring for, providing relief for, providing aid to the children. The correct answer is therefore "succored." To "succor" means to provide assistance, relief, aid for someone. Additionally, "sullied" means ruined; to "transcend" means to go beyond; "pelted" means hit repeatedly by; "admonished" means scolded, yelled at.

Example Question #1012 : Sentence Completions

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

The gas __________ through the air causing the place to smell terrible.

Possible Answers:

adjourned

originated

endured

impaled

diffused

Correct answer:

diffused

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes the movement of gas, you are looking for a verb that means spread. So, the correct answer is "diffused." Additionally, "originated" means came from; "impaled" means stabbed by; to "adjourn" means to end a meeting; to "endure" means to put up with, to survive and tolerate.

Example Question #1013 : Sentence Completions

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

Over time he managed to __________ a large quantity of different postage stamps.

Possible Answers:

confer

amass

devastate

ratify

dispute

Correct answer:

amass

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, which discusses a large collection of stamps, you know that the correct answer must mean something like collect. The correct answer is therefore "amass," which means gather, collect. Additionally, "confer" means discuss with someone about; "devastate" means destroy, ruin; "dispute" means argue; "ratify" means approve.

Example Question #1014 : Sentence Completions

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

She __________ the claim and tried to get her money back.

Possible Answers:

ransacked

emulated

adorned

disputed

acclaimed

Correct answer:

disputed

Explanation:

The lady is trying to get her money back, which we can assume from context is related to the claim. She is therefore probably arguing against or "disputing" the claim. To "dispute" means to argue, a "dispute" is a disagreement. Additionally, "ransack" means search through in a hurried and messy fashion; "adorn" means decorate; "acclaim" means praise; "emulate" means copy.

Example Question #1015 : Sentence Completions

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

The hunter tried to __________ his prey by leaving a small amount of food out in the open.

Possible Answers:

usurp

squander

entice

abolish

meddle

Correct answer:

entice

Explanation:

The context of this sentence is discussing a hunter trying to trap an animal by tempting it. The correct answer is therefore "entice," which means to tempt, to trick and ensnare. Additionally, "squander" means waste; "abolish" means get rid of; "usurp" means take over control from, take over power; "meddle" means interfere with.

Example Question #1016 : Sentence Completions

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

He has to go to the hospital because he has been __________ by a small knife.

Possible Answers:

impaled

shunned

alluded

throttled

retrieved

Correct answer:

impaled

Explanation:

The context of this sentence describes a situation where a man has been sent to the hospital due to a wound sustained from a knife. You therefore know the correct answer must mean either stabbed or cut, so the correct answer is "impaled" which means stabbed. Additionally, "allude" means hint at; "shun" means ignore or banish; "retrieve" means go get, fetch, bring back; "throttle" means strangle.

Example Question #1017 : Sentence Completions

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

The student is going to __________ in her classes today, but she has a long list to choose from.

Possible Answers:

enroll

utter

falter

scowl

goad

Correct answer:

enroll

Explanation:

You know that the correct answer must be a verb that relates to something a student might do to a class. The correct answer is therefore "enroll," which means sign up for, join a group. Additionally, "utter" means speak; "goad" means encourage, "egg on"; "scowl" means frown angrily; "falter" means struggle, to experience a set back.

Example Question #1018 : Sentence Completions

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

I have to __________ my poem in front of my classmates, but I hate public speaking.

Possible Answers:

endorse

recite

drench

waft

splice

Correct answer:

recite

Explanation:

You know that the correct answer must be a verb related to public speaking and reading something aloud. The correct answer is therefore "recite," which means to read something aloud to a group of people, to practice saying something from memory. Additionally, "drench" means soak, make very wet; "splice" means join together; "waft" means float gently, as in on a breeze; "endorse" means offer public support for.

Example Question #1019 : Sentence Completions

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

The officers __________ the suspect all night, but they could not get a straight answer.

Possible Answers:

surpassed

squirmed

cloistered

interrogated

hurtled

Correct answer:

interrogated

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must relate to questioning, asking questions to a suspect. So, the correct answer is "interrogated," which means questioned. Additionally, to "hurtle" means to throw or move rapidly and in an out of control manner; "surpass" means go beyond, achieve more than someone else; "cloister" means shut away, hide away; "squirm" means wiggle, move uncomfortably.

Example Question #1020 : Sentence Completions

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

The doctors are __________ the progress of the patient, but there is little more they can do than observe.

Possible Answers:

mutilating

befuddling

insinuating

retaliating

monitoring

Correct answer:

monitoring

Explanation:

In this sentence the correct answer must be a verb that means the same thing as "observing," so the correct answer is "monitoring." To "monitor" something means to watch, to observe it. Additionally, "befuddle" means confuse; "insinuate" means imply is true, suggest something is the case; "mutilate" means destroy the appearance of; "retaliate" means fight back, take revenge against.

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