ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #801 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ keeps building before the climatic performance, but the organizers are worried things might get out of hand.

Possible Answers:

lull

malice

dishonesty

banter

ferment

Correct answer:

ferment

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that means a state of agitation and excitement that might lead to trouble or violence. The correct answer is therefore "ferment." Additionally, "malice" is spite, ill will; "banter" is playful teasing between friends; a "lull" is a period of relative calm; "dishonesty" is a lack of honesty, not telling the truth.

Example Question #802 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ of the lion was terrifying and the small girl backed away nervously from its cage.

Possible Answers:

ego

sanity

ferocity

dedication

tolerance

Correct answer:

ferocity

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these is a quality that the girl might find scary. The correct answer is "ferocity," which means fierceness, the level of violence in something. Additionally, "tolerance" means patience, acceptance; "sanity" means the ability to think in a reasonable and rational manner, not being crazy; "ego" means self-image, self-worth, what someone thinks about themselves; "dedication" is commitment to a cause, determination to stick with something.

Example Question #803 : Sentence Completions

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

He worked hard at his job, but was only paid a small __________.

Possible Answers:

adoration

edifice

income

altercation

jaunt

Correct answer:

income

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that means money paid for work. The correct answer is "income." Additionally, "adoration" is great love and affection; an "altercation" is a fight, a dispute; an "edifice" is a building; a "jaunt" is a brief, relaxed trip.

Example Question #804 : Sentence Completions

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

His longstanding __________ evaporated after she showed him such loving kindness.

Possible Answers:

candor

clarity

rancor

infatuation

pride

Correct answer:

rancor

Explanation:

The feelings that the man had must have been negative and intense if they only "evaporated" (vanished) after a gesture of extreme kindness. The correct answer is therefore "rancor" which means long-lasting bitterness and spite, anger and hatred and resentment. Additionally, "candor" means honesty, frankness; "infatuation" is a deep feeling of love and obsession; "clarity" is how clear something is; "pride" is self-respect.

Example Question #805 : Sentence Completions

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

The company was in a state of __________ and the workers did not know if they were going to lose their jobs or not.

Possible Answers:

liberty

submission

flux

inflation

discovery

Correct answer:

flux

Explanation:

The situation described above sounds uncertain and unstable, as if the company was in a state of constant change or uncertainty. The correct answer is therefore "flux." A "flux" is a state of constant change. Additionally, "discovery" means finding; "submission" means a state of being controlled; "liberty" is freedom; "inflation" is the increase of prices over time.

Example Question #581 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Leaders of several nations attended the __________.

Possible Answers:

harmony

felony

frivolity

summit

debris

Correct answer:

summit

Explanation:

Whilst a "summit" usually means the top of something (like a mountain), in this instance it is being used to mean a meeting between heads of state. Additionally, a "felony" is a crime; "debris" is refuse, trash, bits of material left over after an accident; "harmony" is a state of peace and serenity; "frivolity" is a state of lightheartedness, a situation that is not serious.

Example Question #582 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

They felt that they were on the __________ of a breakthrough so they stayed up all night working.

Possible Answers:

verge

envy

adage

lull

perjury

Correct answer:

verge

Explanation:

If the subjects of this sentence decided to stay up all night it makes sense that they felt they were close to a breakthrough or on the edge of a breakthrough. The correct answer then is "verge." The "verge" of something is the edge, the border. Additionally, an "adage" is an old saying meant to impart some lesson; "envy" means jealousy, wanting what someone else has; a "lull" is a period of relative calm in between two periods of intense activity, a respite, an interval; "perjury" is the action of lying when under oath, lying in court.

Example Question #583 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

I found his __________ refreshing and was upset that I had to stop talking to him.

Possible Answers:

apprehension

insanity

brutality

candor

wariness

Correct answer:

candor

Explanation:

The context of this sentence tells you that the correct answer is a noun that describes a quality that the speaker of this sentence finds agreeable in another person. The correct answer is therefore "candor" because this is the only positive word. "Candor" is honesty and openness, frankness. Additionally, "insanity" is a state of not being sane, mental illness; "wariness" is lack of trust, concern and caution; "apprehension" is anxiety, concern, worry, fear about something happening; "brutality" is tremendous cruelty and violence.

Example Question #584 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

I think my doctor is a(n) __________; he does not seem to know what he is doing.

Possible Answers:

philanthropist

priest

quack

brigand

miser

Correct answer:

quack

Explanation:

A doctor that does not know what they are doing (a phony doctor) is known as a "quack." Additionally, a "miser" is someone who is stingy with money, someone who does not want to spend money; a "philanthropist" is someone who gives to charity; a "priest" is a religious leader in some forms of Christianity; a "brigand" is a pirate, a gang-member.

Example Question #585 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She was very excited to go off to college and greeted the end of senior year with __________.

Possible Answers:

affirmation

solitude

alacrity

ferocity

contemplation

Correct answer:

alacrity

Explanation:

In this sentence the subject is eager to go to college so it makes sense that she would greet the end of high school with eagerness, willingness, readiness, or "alacrity." Additionally, "contemplation" is a state of introspection and thinking deeply about something; "ferocity" is fierceness; "solitude" is the state of being alone; "affirmation" is the action of affirming something, the action of stating something is true and offering support for it.

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