ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #374 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The country club's members considered the club's ability to choose its own members an __________ right, and refused any attempts to have them change its bylaws.

Possible Answers:

unimportant

inconsequential

inconsistent

inviolable

appropriate

Correct answer:

inviolable

Explanation:

The country club wanted nothing to happen to their bylaws, and wanted to defend them at all costs. "Inconsistent," "unimportant," "appropriate," and "inconsequential" all have too light a meaning.

Example Question #375 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Historians often struggle with how much __________ evidence to use, as fewer data points can be outweighed by the power of the story being told.

Possible Answers:

byzantine

anecdotal

quantitative

outdated

circumstantial

Correct answer:

anecdotal

Explanation:

The key word for this sentence is in the last phrase, “story.” Of all the answer choices, only “anecdotal” means from a story.

Example Question #376 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The fact he was __________ was a pleasant surprise to her when she asked him to assemble furniture.

Possible Answers:

oafish

clumsy

inept

dexterous

bumbling

Correct answer:

dexterous

Explanation:

The task he needed to accomplish, assembling furniture, indicates he was skillful. “Clumsy,” “oafish,” "bumbling," and “inept” all mean, to some degree, the exact opposite. “Dexterous,” indicating skill with one’s hands, is correct.

Example Question #377 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Her speech was often loaded with __________ words such as "like" or "whatever," which were unnecessary for her point to be made.

Possible Answers:

extraneous

automatic

automatic

precise

mechanical

Correct answer:

extraneous

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence indicates the correct answer is a synonym of “unnecessary.” “Precise” and “subtle” are antonyms, while “automatic” and "mechanical" is not a direct synonym.

Example Question #381 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The preacher’s sermons were frequently nothing more than __________ babbling, leaving the parishioners confused.

Possible Answers:

exacting

engaging

incoherent

factual

clarifying

Correct answer:

incoherent

Explanation:

The correct choice leads to confusion in the parishioners. “Exacting,” “clarifying,” and “factual” all indicate a lack of confusion, while "engaging" means interesting and exciting. Only “incoherent” means anything related to confusion.

Example Question #2440 : Sat Critical Reading

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

The old mansion was added to many times over the years with additions that created hallways and rooms in strange places, giving the place a __________ quality.

Possible Answers:

edifying

labyrinthine

harmonious

rustic

quaint

Correct answer:

labyrinthine

Explanation:

The mansion's many additions and strange hallways make the mansion confusing and imposing. "Labyrinthine," which means maze-like, is the best fit of all the answer choices. All the other choices have connotations of simplicity or ease.

Example Question #382 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The costume was fairly extravagant, __________ with sequins and feathers on the jacket.

Possible Answers:

understated

replete

subtle

rustic

moderated

Correct answer:

replete

Explanation:

The costume is called "extravagant," which indicates that the jacket is over-the-top and has a good amount of sequins and feathers. "Understated," "subtle," and "moderated" all have a sense of showing restraint, while "rustic" means pleasantly old-fashioned and simple. Only "replete," meaning full and covered, provides the appropriate meaning to the sentence.

Example Question #383 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

He was suspicious of his sons' claims and desired something __________ to prove the car really had begun falling apart on its own.

Possible Answers:

transient

contestable

tangible

ephemeral

subtle

Correct answer:

tangible

Explanation:

The father does not believe his sons' story about the car, presumably because he desired something less anecdotal. "Transient" and "ephemeral" both have a sense of passing quickly, while "subtle" and "contestable" mean something is less than solid evidence. Only "tangible," meaning able to be held and touched, provides the correct meaning to the sentence.

Example Question #1971 : Psat Critical Reading

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

Having been raised in the suburbs, Benjamin had no experience of the __________ poverty that so many suffer.

Possible Answers:

avid

covetous

enviable

abject

rapacious

Correct answer:

abject

Explanation:

"Abject" means wretched and pitiful. The poverty from which people suffer is wretched.

Example Question #933 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The clinic kept an __________ environment, even though maintaining the cleanliness was actually rather expensive.

Possible Answers:

obscene

filthy

inhospitable

antiseptic

derivative

Correct answer:

antiseptic

Explanation:

"Antiseptic" means clean and sterile. The clinic maintained cleanliness even though it cost more.

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