ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #551 : Sentence Completions

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

The sick girl lay __________ in the hospital room.

Possible Answers:

elusive

adjacent

apocryphal

salient

inert

Correct answer:

inert

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these adjectives might be used to describe how a very sick girl might be lying in a hospital. The correct answer is "inert," which means motionless, not moving. Additionally, "salient" means most important, relevant; "adjacent" means next to; "apocryphal" means (of a story or fact) probably not true; "elusive" means hard to catch, hard to find.

Example Question #552 : Sentence Completions

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

It was a(n) __________ day for the farmers as their produce sold very well at the market.

Possible Answers:

arcane

fruitful

torrid

instantaneous

palatable

Correct answer:

fruitful

Explanation:

If the farmers sold a lot of goods at the market then it could be described as a productive, valuable, beneficial and helpful day for the farmers. The correct answer is therefore "fruitful." Additionally, "arcane" means (of knowledge) privileged and ancient; "instantaneous" means happening instantly, happening right away; "torrid" means very hot or very difficult; "palatable" means tasty, able to be eaten and enjoyed.

Example Question #553 : Sentence Completions

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

The politician delivered a __________ and pithy statement before the assembled media.

Possible Answers:

customary

current

durable

terse

bleak

Correct answer:

terse

Explanation:

To begin with "pithy" means concise, using few words but expressing a witty idea. So, the correct answer must mean something fairly similar to "pithy." The correct answer is "terse" which means brief, concise, to the point. Additionally, "current" means 'up-to-date', modern, contemporary; "durable" means tough and long lasting; "bleak" means hopeless; "customary" means traditional, what is considered polite and a custom within a social group.

Example Question #554 : Sentence Completions

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

Fortunately the material is __________ and can be easily bent back into shape.

Possible Answers:

ductile

compatible

utter

chronic

marred

Correct answer:

ductile

Explanation:

Something that can be easily bent into shape is called "ductile." "Ductile" means pliable, flexible, able to be bent and shaped. Additionally, "marred" means ruined, spoiled; "chronic" means long-lasting, (of an illness) interminable and painful; "utter" means total, complete; "compatible" means able to fit together, able to work together, 'a good match'.

Example Question #555 : Sentence Completions

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

Because he was wearing his seat belt he emerged from the accident __________.

Possible Answers:

alien

congested

unscathed

unbridled

adequate

Correct answer:

unscathed

Explanation:

A seat belt would likely protect someone in the event of an accident and prevent them from getting hurt. So, the correct answer is "unscathed" which means unharmed, without suffering an injury. Additionally, "alien" means foreign and unfamiliar; "adequate" means good enough; "congested" means blocked up, not allowing things to pass through; "unbridled" means not controlled, not restrained, not held back.

Example Question #556 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ car was stuck in the middle of the road and was blocking traffic.

Possible Answers:

ramshackle

stagnant

bleak

durable

sacrilegious

Correct answer:

stagnant

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means something like motionless, stationary, not moving. So, the correct answer is "stagnant." "Stagnant" means not moving, not growing, remaining in one place. Additionally, "sacrilegious" means offensive to religion, blasphemous; "ramshackle" means derelict, in poor condition, (of a building) falling down; "durable" means tough, reliable and long-lasting; "bleak" means hopeless and miserable, gloomy.

Example Question #557 : Sentence Completions

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

The protesters became more and more __________ as the evening got later and the police were fearful of an outbreak of severe violence.

Possible Answers:

vain

indispensable

sheepish

customary

militant

Correct answer:

militant

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that means something like prone to violence, inclined towards aggression. So, the correct answer is "militant" which means so passionate about a cause as to be prone to violence. Additionally, "customary" means what is considered polite and traditional; "indispensable" means essential, vital, needed, cannot be done without; "sheepish" means easily embarrassed, shy; "vain" means self-obsessed, in love with one's own appearance.

Example Question #558 : Sentence Completions

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

He worried that the work was not __________ enough and he would not be able to pay the bills next month.

Possible Answers:

elaborate

antediluvian

gleaming

concise

lucrative

Correct answer:

lucrative

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means something like profitable, money making. So, the correct answer is "lucrative." Something that is "lucrative" is very valuable and makes a lot of money. Additionally, "concise" means brief, terse, 'to the point'; "gleaming" means polished, shining; "antediluvian" means from an ancient time; "elaborate" means complicated, complex.

Example Question #559 : Sentence Completions

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

They did not want to go outside because of the __________ weather.

Possible Answers:

inert

inclement

aghast

destitute

tenacious

Correct answer:

inclement

Explanation:

If the subjects of this sentence did not want to go outside it makes sense that the weather was not favorable. The correct answer is therefore "inclement" which means (of weather) severe. Examples of "inclement weather" are a rain storm, a blizzard, extreme cold etc. Additionally, "tenacious" means determined, persistent, dogged; "destitute" means very poor, without possessions or money; "inert" means stationary, motionless; "aghast" means shocked and horrified.

Example Question #560 : Sentence Completions

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

My dog stood on its hind legs and spoke to me as I stared at it in __________ astonishment.

Possible Answers:

fickle

utter

torrid

pompous

quaint

Correct answer:

utter

Explanation:

A situation in which a dog was able to stand up and speak would, of course, be completely amazing and astonishing. So, the correct answer here is "utter" which means total, complete, absolute. Additionally, "quaint" means cute, appealing, and old-fashioned; "fickle" means inconsistent, someone who is likely to change their mind, unreliable; "torrid" means either very hot or extremely difficult; "pompous" means arrogant and self-obsessed.

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