ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #521 : Sentence Completions

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

The wizened man offered __________ advice to the young boys in his care.

Possible Answers:

bashful

incorrigible

ambivalent

sage

destitute

Correct answer:

sage

Explanation:

To begin with "wizened" means wrinkled with age. So, the man in question is very old. The correct answer then is likely to mean wise or some other quality associated with old age. The correct answer is therefore "sage," which means wise, knowledgeable. Additionally, "destitute" means completely poor and without possessions; "ambivalent" means not caring one way or the other; "bashful" means shy, easily embarrassed; "incorrigible" means unable to be controlled.

Example Question #522 : Sentence Completions

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

His __________ disregard for the rules cost seven people their lives.

Possible Answers:

unflinching

blithe

lucid

tactful

derelict

Correct answer:

blithe

Explanation:

Which of these adjectives could be used to describe the inappropriately casual indifference that might cause the loss of several lives in an accident? The correct answer is "blithe," which means thoughtless, inappropriately indifferent. Additionally, "lucid" means able to understand clearly; "unflinching" means not wavering, persistent, not stopping; "tactful" means polite, knowing what not to say; "derelict" means in poor condition, falling down, in a state of disrepair.

Example Question #523 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ lioness would not give up the hunt.

Possible Answers:

tenacious

compatible

genteel

elaborate

hospitable

Correct answer:

tenacious

Explanation:

The characteristic of the animal being discussed is it's refusal to give up, so it could best be described as "tenacious," which means determined, persistent. Additionally, "genteel" means polite and refined; "hospitable" means welcoming; "compatible" means able to fit with, a match for; "elaborate" means complex, complicated.

Example Question #524 : Sentence Completions

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

I always knew he was __________, but the way he stares at himself in the mirror is completely narcissistic.

Possible Answers:

erratic

unintelligible

opinionated

vain

enterprising

Correct answer:

vain

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means self-obsessed, obsessed with one's own appearance. So, the correct answer is "vain" which means to be overly concerned with one's own beauty. Additionally, "unintelligible" means incapable of being understood; "erratic" means unreliable, inconsistent; "opinionated" means out-spoken, having and sharing many passionate beliefs; "enterprising" means hard-working and innovative, able to come up with new solutions to problems.

Example Question #525 : Sentence Completions

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

His unhealthy diet has made him __________.

Possible Answers:

obese

congenial

attentive

specious

circumspect

Correct answer:

obese

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that describes someone who has been made unhealthy because of eating bad food. The correct answer is therefore "obese," which means overweight, very fat. Additionally, "circumspect" means thoughtful and cautious; "attentive" means thoughtful and caring; "congenial" means pleasant, agreeable; "specious" means claimed to be true, but based on faulty reasoning.

Example Question #526 : Sentence Completions

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

She was left __________ by the death of her husband.

Possible Answers:

vigilant

distraught

erratic

obese

lucid

Correct answer:

distraught

Explanation:

The lady received terrible news so it makes sense that she would become devastated, emotionally destroyed, deeply upset, or "distraught." Additionally, "obese" means overweight, very fat; "erratic" means unreliable, inconsistent; "lucid" means able to understand, alert; "vigilant" means watchful, observant.

Example Question #527 : Sentence Completions

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

The audience seems to enjoy listening to me speak, it is probably because I am so engaging and __________.

Possible Answers:

intrepid

articulate

perilous

aloof

antagonistic

Correct answer:

articulate

Explanation:

The context of this sentence relates to someone who is enjoyable to listen to, so the correct answer is "articulate" which means well-spoken. Additionally, "perilous" means dangerous; "aloof" means distant, detached, remote, hard to reach emotionally; "intrepid" means adventurous; "antagonistic" means annoying, prone to starting conflict.

Example Question #528 : Sentence Completions

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

__________ to my house is a bar that makes it hard for me to sleep on weekends.

Possible Answers:

Perpendicular

Salient

Stationary

Adjacent

Elusive

Correct answer:

Adjacent

Explanation:

If noise from the bar makes it hard for the speaker to sleep than the bar must be next to or "adjacent" to the speaker's house. Additionally, "salient" means most important, relevant; "stationary" means not moving, fixed in place; "elusive" means hard to capture, hard to find; "perpendicular" means (of a line) at a right angle to another line, the opposite of parallel.

Example Question #529 : Sentence Completions

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

He stood in front of the class without his notes, completely unprepared for the moment, and felt very __________.

Possible Answers:

vain

haggard

mutual

sheepish

jocular

Correct answer:

sheepish

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must mean something like embarrassed, self-conscious, uncomfortable. So, the correct answer is "sheepish." Additionally, "haggard" means having the physical appearance of being exhausted or overworked; "jocular" means amusing, good-natured, cheerful; "vain" means self-obsessed, overly concerned with one's own appearance; "mutual" means shared.

Example Question #530 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ girl can easily touch her toes. 

Possible Answers:

awry 

rigid 

ultimate 

utter 

flexible

Correct answer:

flexible

Explanation:

The girl in question is being described as "flexible," bendy, or supple. Additionally, "rigid" means firm, sturdy, fixed; "awry" means out of place, amiss; "ultimate" means best, greatest; "utter" means totally, completely

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