ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #277 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her __________ for driving sports cars harmed both her bank account and her personal safety.
proclivity
incongruity
ambivalence
hatred
abhorrence
proclivity
To find the answer, look at the way the sentence is structured. Her driving habit was something she did despite the fact she was potentially harming herself, indicating the habit was something she could not help. “Proclivity,” meaning a strong tendency towards something, is the only answer choice that indicates such a meaning.
Example Question #277 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Once cordial, in recent years their relationship had developed a strong __________.
antagonism
friendship
affection
ambivalence
fondness
antagonism
The opening phrase, “Once cordial,” indicates that the appropriate answer choice must be an antonym to “cordial,” which means warmth and good feeling. Of all the answer choices, only “antagonism” conveys the appropriate meaning of rivalry or even hatred.
Example Question #291 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite attempts to appear serious and respected, most medical professionals viewed the pharmaceutical salesman often came off as a __________.
chimera
magnate
impresario
charlatan
entrepreneur
charlatan
The “despite” at the beginning of the sentence is the best clue as to the correct answer. With that word beginning the sentence, look for a word meaning that conveys a meaning different than “serious and respected.” “Charlatan,” which means an impostor or fake, is the best answer.
Example Question #292 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He was considered a bit of a(n) __________ by his friends, and this was brought up every time he skipped a social event to stay home and read.
paragon
plethora
recluse
circumlocution
extrovert
recluse
That this individual stays home from social outings gives a strong hint that he may prefer being alone. This is what it means to be a "recluse."
Example Question #293 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
To sailors, a red sky has always been a __________ of harsh weather to come.
reprieve
epicure
nuance
harbinger
pariah
harbinger
The red sky is a warning or a sign, so we need a word that fits the definition of something that could be considered a warning. "Harbinger" is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #294 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
At the beginning of her lecture, the professor pulled out an old __________ and read several passages in an ancient language.
consensus
eulogy
conflagration
tome
volume
tome
A "tome" is a large book, something a professor would use to begin a lecture.
Example Question #295 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Mike fell down the stairs last night and awoke the whole neighborhood with the __________ that he created.
coercion
vertigo
dolt
harangue
clamor
clamor
Falling down the stairs and awaking the neighborhood implies that there was a lot of loud noise, and so "clamor" is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #296 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Deborah has always been a(n) __________; she has always composed her music independent of tradition and popular trends.
maverick
conformist
conservative
adherent
follower
maverick
A "maverick" is an independent, non-conformist person. A composer who does not follow past or present trends is surely a non-conformist, a maverick.
Example Question #297 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ waited his turn as the more experienced skydivers exited the plane.
transcendent
unabashed
neophyte
polyglot
extemporaneous
neophyte
A "neophyte" is someone who is inexperienced in a certain field. Logically, a skydiver who waited for the more experienced to jump would be regarded as a relative novice, a neophyte.
Example Question #298 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The young priest experienced great __________ at the sight of the suffering in his village.
diffidence
timidity
sobriquet
pathos
apathy
pathos
"Pathos" means an emotion of sympathy. Certainly, a young priest would feel great sympathy at the sight of suffering in his own village.
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