ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #481 : Sentence Completions

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

It is __________ to wear a costume and collect candy on Halloween.

Possible Answers:

oblique

customary

serene

stagnant

abstract

Correct answer:

customary

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means something like traditional, what is commonly done in a society. So, the correct answer is "customary." Additionally, "serene" means calm and peaceful; "oblique" means slanting; "abstract" means theoretical, based on an idea rather than reality; "stagnant" means not moving, not growing.

Example Question #482 : Sentence Completions

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

My younger brother is almost __________ and needs help reading and writing.

Possible Answers:

illiterate

intractable

ebullient

morose

distraught

Correct answer:

illiterate

Explanation:

If the speaker's brother cannot read or write he could be described as "illiterate." "Literate" means capable of reading and writing. Additionally, "morose" means very sad and serious; "intractable" means stubborn, refusing to change one's mind; "distraught" means devastated by, very upset by; ebullient" means very enthusiastic.

Example Question #483 : Sentence Completions

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

The teachers struggled to manage the __________ student.

Possible Answers:

poised

maligned

attentive

aghast

incorrigible

Correct answer:

incorrigible

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that relates to someone being hard to control. So, the correct answer is "incorrigible." Additionally, maligned" means much criticized; "aghast" means shocked and horrified; "attentive" means thoughtful and caring; "poised" means calm and under control in a stressful situation.

Example Question #484 : Sentence Completions

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

The girl was enthralled by his __________ appearance.

Possible Answers:

condescending

unintelligible

rakish

sage

enterprising

Correct answer:

rakish

Explanation:

To begin with "enthralled" means deeply interested in and attracted to. So, based on the context of this sentence the correct answer is an adjective that describes an attractive characteristic. The correct answer is therefore "rakish," which means charming, dashing, cavalier, attractive but seemingly reckless. Additionally, "enterprising" means hard-working and innovative, able to come up with new ideas to old problems; "condescending" means arrogant, someone who talks down to other people; "sage" means wise; "unintelligible" means incapable of being heard, unable to be understood.

Example Question #485 : Sentence Completions

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

His __________ plan proved too complicated and failed quite spectacularly.

Possible Answers:

instantaneous

voluminous

elaborate

acrimonious

embedded

Correct answer:

elaborate

Explanation:

You are told that this plan is too complicated, so it could reliably be described as "elaborate," which means complex, complicated, involving many steps. Additionally, "voluminous" means large, filling a large space; "embedded" means stuck in, fixed in; "instantaneous" means happening in an instant, occurring in a single moment; "acrimonious" means (of feeling or argument) bitter and long lasting.

Example Question #261 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

We are running short of time so we will focus only on the __________ facts.

Possible Answers:

chronic

gleaming

adjacent

comprehensive

salient

Correct answer:

salient

Explanation:

If the people in this sentence were running low on time then logically it would make sense for them to focus only on the most important and most relevant facts. The correct answer is therefore "salient," which means most important, relevant. Additionally, "adjacent" means next to; "comprehensive" means covering everything, totally inclusive; "chronic" means (of pain) intense and constant; "gleaming" means shining, polished.

Example Question #262 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ rabbit took several hours to catch.

Possible Answers:

inert

elusive

compatible

derelict

laden

Correct answer:

elusive

Explanation:

The quality of the rabbit being discussed in this sentence is how difficult it is to capture, so the correct answer is "elusive," which means hard to find, hard to catch. Additionally, "compatible" means matching with, capable of fitting with; "derelict" means falling down, in bad condition; "laden" means weighed down with, burdened; "inert" means motionless.

Example Question #263 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The teacher was considered __________ and none of his students picked up on his mistake.

Possible Answers:

distraught

infallible

mutual

unflinching

opinionated

Correct answer:

infallible

Explanation:

If none of the students picked up on his mistake it makes sense that the professor was considered "infallible" or incapable of making mistakes, impeccable, never failing. Additionally, "mutual" means shared, felt equally; "unflinching" means not stopping, not pausing, constant; "distraught" means devastated, feeling miserable and hopeless; "opinionated" means having many opinions and not being afraid to express them.

Example Question #264 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He looked back with __________ feeling through his old yearbooks.

Possible Answers:

sheepish

wistful

sullen

erratic

dissolute

Correct answer:

wistful

Explanation:

The correct answer to this sentence must relate to a feeling associated with looking back on the past. The correct answer is therefore "wistful," which means feeling regretful or missing the past. Additionally, "erratic" means inconsistent, unreliable; "sheepish" means shy and embarrassed; "dissolute" means having loose morals, depraved; "sullen" means moody, grumpy.

Example Question #265 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ man quickly made his way to the top of his company.

Possible Answers:

obese

haggard

enterprising

predisposed

vain

Correct answer:

enterprising

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that relates to some characteristic that might make a man successful, or quick to rise in a business. The correct answer is therefore "enterprising," which means resourceful, hard working and innovative. Additionally, "predisposed" means previously inclined towards liking; "vain" means self-obsessed, obsessed with one's appearance; "haggard" means showing the physical effects of being exhausted and overworked; "obese" means overweight, very fat.

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