All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #861 : Sentence Completions
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
It took months to __________ myself off of junk food, which I had been eating far too much of.
vegetate
whet
wrench
wean
warble
wean
The sentence suggests that the author was trying to reduce the amount of junk food he was eating. The answer cannot be "warble" because that means to sing like a bird or "whet" because that means to sharpen. It also cannot be "vegetate" because that means to live a sedentary life, to live like a vegetable. That leaves only two possible answer choices. Of the two choices, "wean" is the much better option because it takes into account the gradual nature of the process. "Wrench" means to suddenly snap out of something. "Wean" means to gradually reduce one’s dependence on something.
Example Question #862 : Sentence Completions
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
He did not want to give up his position so he tried to __________ the leaving process for as long as possible.
prolong
benign
dissuade
parity
diminish
prolong
Since he did not want to give up his position, we can infer that he would want to extend the leaving process for as long as possible. The answer choice that most resembles extend is "prolong," which means to try to increase the length of something. To provide further help, "benign" means harmless; "dissuade" means to convince a person to change his or her mind; "diminish" means to reduce; "parity" is the state or existence of equality.
Example Question #863 : Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The group of parents met to discuss the disturbing new video game; since the game gave extra points for attacking innocent bystanders at a baseball game, it seemed to __________ violence against the innocent.
glorify
reflect
indict
disapprove
express
glorify
It is key to note that the parents are disturbed by the video game. Indeed, they seem to be particularly disturbed by the extra points being given for attacking innocent people at a baseball game. This seems to encourage violence against the innocent. Among the options provided, only "glorify" captures this sense of "encouraging." To "glorify" something is to praise or honor that thing. It does seem that this is the case, given the extra points being awarded.
Example Question #864 : Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Although Mary allowed her teenage daughter to do some unacceptable things, this did not necessarily mean that she __________ these actions; she merely knew that immediate scolding would likely lead to more trouble.
reflected
approved
interiorized
condemned
forgot
approved
Mary allows her daughter to do some actions that are really unacceptable. The sentence makes clear, however, that this does not mean that she accepted these actions as being good. She was merely wise enough to know that pushing her daughter on these points would likely lead to rebellion and more trouble. Therefore, it is best to say that she did not approve of them—even though she did allow them.
Example Question #865 : Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The doctor got a parking ticket for parking outside his office, but he decided to __________ the fine because he did not think it was fair.
accept
suffice
entice
dispute
abhor
dispute
The context of the sentence suggests that the doctor is not happy about his parking fine and would therefore likely challenge or argue the ticket. This should lead you to the correct answer choice, which is "dispute." Dispute means argue something as being incorrect or challenge something. To provide further help, "abhor" means hate, "suffice" means be enough for a certain purpose, and "entice" means tempt.
Example Question #866 : Sentence Completions
Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence.
Despite having been a successful politician, Neville Chamberlain is now most remembered for his failed attempts to __________ Germany in 1938; his attempts at conciliation are now ridiculed.
disgrace
bombast
deplore
appease
lament
appease
The second part of the clause suggests that Chamberlain attempted a measure of “conciliation” towards the Germans. “Conciliation” means giving someone a small part of what they want, so they do not take all of it. It is most similar in definition to “appease.” To provide further help, “disgrace” means shame; “bombast” is a type of arrogance; “lament” means to express sadness or pain about something; “deplore” means hate or condemn.
Example Question #867 : Sentence Completions
Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence.
In the circle of life, all animals are born, live, and must one day __________.
banquet
summit
perish
exclude
taunt
perish
From the context of the sentence, it is clear the answer must mean to pass away. The correct answer choice is therefore “perish,” which means to pass away or disappear. To provide further help, the “summit” is the top; “exclude” means not include, leave out; a “banquet” is a feast of food; “taunt” means mock, goad.
Example Question #868 : Sentence Completions
ISEE Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence.
I am very grateful to my teachers for continuously edifying and __________ me.
enlightening
moping
imitating
ousting
mocking
enlightening
The context of the sentence tells us that the author is grateful to his teacher for edifying (instructing and teaching) and something most likely similarly “beneficial” (helpful). The correct answer is therefore “enlightening,” which means showing the light, teaching something important. To provide further help, “mocking” means making fun of; “imitating” means copying; “ousting” means getting rid of; “moping” means sulking, expressing continuous sadness.
Example Question #869 : Sentence Completions
ISEE Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence.
The criminal was swiftly __________, following many phone calls to the police with information as to the criminal’s whereabouts.
tenuous
mythical
undermined
apprehended
comprehended
apprehended
In this sentence the police are alerted to the location of the criminal this suggests he was swiftly caught or captured so the correct answer is “apprehended.” The suffix -prehend is often used in the English language to mean seize, as in “apprehended,” or grasp, as in “comprehend.” To provide further help, “tenuous” means unstable; “mythical” means based on legend; “undermine” means to weaken.
Example Question #870 : Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
After stealing the money to buy books at the school's book fair, the young man __________ a story to deceive his parents about the stolen funds.
fantasized
discussed
undertook
fabricated
recounted
fabricated
Since the young man is said to tell his story in order to deceive, it is safe to assume that he had to "make up" or create the story (instead of merely telling the true facts). The word "fabricate" means "create" and often implies that the creation is being done for the sake of deceiving someone else. In general, "fabrication" means making or manufacturing. However, it almost always has this nuance of deception. None of the other words imply the deception that is clearly indicated in the sentence.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor