ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #261 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The statue was __________, so no matter how long the viewers admired it, it did not move.

Possible Answers:

inept

inert

jocular

limber

shoddy

Correct answer:

inert

Explanation:

The key to this sentence is to note that "no matter how long the viewers admired [the statue], it did not move." So, the best answer choice for the blank is "inert," which means unmoving.

Example Question #262 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The child was __________ and the babysitter had a difficult time maintaining order when the child refused to listen to any directions she gave.

Possible Answers:

unruly

intuitive

robust

passive

zany

Correct answer:

unruly

Explanation:

The child was hard to manage and would not listen to directions, and therfore the child was "unruly," or disobedient.

Example Question #263 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

It saddened the children a great deal to watch their grandmother grow old and __________; it is never easy when a loved one changes in ways that are hard to understand.

Possible Answers:

trustworthy 

energetic 

senile

reliable

vigorous 

Correct answer:

senile

Explanation:

The sentence tells you that the grandmother has gotten older and changed in some way that is not enjoyable for the children. "Vigorous" and "energetic" are both loosely synonyms of one another and mean full of life and energy. The answer we are looking for is opposite in meaning to this. It cannot be "reliable," which means dependable, as being dependable is a positive trait, so the answer must be “senile.” "Senility" is the weakening of physical and mental ability with age

Example Question #264 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The smallest puppy somehow proved the most indomitable; sometimes the ­­­­__________ of the litter is forced to adapt to survive and thrive.

Possible Answers:

partner

mother

runt

boss

giant

Correct answer:

runt

Explanation:

The term given to the smallest animal or person in a group is the “runt.”

Example Question #265 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

She was __________ with the stranger in the coffee shop; he was handsome, smart and mysterious - what wasn't to love?

Possible Answers:

shunned 

smitten 

absolved 

stifled 

menaced 

Correct answer:

smitten 

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, you know that the blank term must refer to the love felt instantly by the girl for the handsome man. The answer choice that most closely resembles love is “smitten.” To help you, "menaced" means threatened, "stifled" means restricted or held back, "shunned" means banished or ignored, and "absolved" means freed from guilt. "Smitten" is a synonym of besotted and enamored, and means in love with or having a crush on.

Example Question #266 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The man was a __________ thief, and stole small things like pocket change and watches.

Possible Answers:

dangerous

understanding

talented

important

petty

Correct answer:

petty

Explanation:

"Petty" means of lesser or secondary importance. Since the thief stole small things that were not very important, he was a petty thief. 

Example Question #267 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

It is very __________ that you will spot a liger strolling down the street in New York City.

Possible Answers:

supported

pertinent

likely

understandable

improbable

Correct answer:

improbable

Explanation:

It would be nearly impossible for one to see a liger strolling down the streets in New York City, so it is "improbable," a word which means not very likely to occur.

Example Question #268 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

When held in Russia, the Olympics were announced in Russian, the __________ language, as well as in English.

Possible Answers:

foreign

particular

vernacular

anonymous

unusual

Correct answer:

vernacular

Explanation:

"Vernacular" is defined as native and is used to refer specifically to language. (When used as a noun, "vernacular" means native language spoken by ordinary people in a specific place. So, when held in Russia, the Olympics were announced in the country's native language, Russian, and "native" is the correct answer.

Example Question #269 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

With so many angry people, the riot became __________ quickly.

Possible Answers:

Dreamy

Passive

Quiet

Lethargic

Tumultuous

Correct answer:

Tumultuous

Explanation:

"Tumultuous" means highly agitated and loud, and a riot full of angry people could be accurately described as "tumultuous."

Example Question #270 : Sentence Completions

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The ballerina was extremely _________ and could easily bend down and touch her toes.

Possible Answers:

stiff

limber

haggard 

sturdy 

comely 

Correct answer:

limber

Explanation:

The sentence tells you that the blank word must describe how flexible the ballerina is. This should lead you to the correct answer, which is “limber.” "Limber" means agile and flexible. To help you, "sturdy" means strong and reliable, "haggard" means looking like one is exhausted, "comely" means cute and attractive, and "stiff" means not flexible or not easily bent

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