ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #963 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Cedric has been exceptionally __________ in his stock market trading; before the market crashed, he sold most of his assets.

Possible Answers:

prescient

frugal

spendthrift

profligate

injudicious

Correct answer:

prescient

Explanation:

The correct answer refers to how Cedric has great foresight in his stock market trading ("prescient"), demonstrated when he sold his shares before they lost most of their value. The incorrect answers either refer to Cedric as lacking good judgment ("injudicious"), being unnecessarily prone to spending wastefully ("spendthrift" and "profligate"), or being unwilling to take possible risks ("frugal").

Example Question #1092 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The politician’s speeches had a(n) __________ quality, which tended to put his audience to sleep.

Possible Answers:

salubrious

engaging

rapacious

loquacious

droning

Correct answer:

droning

Explanation:

As the politician’s speeches put his audience to sleep, the correct answer will be the one that is most synonymous with boring, dull, or sleep-inducing. "Rapacious," "salubrious," and "engaging" all have quite positive connotations, while "loquacious," meaning wordy, does not fit well.

Example Question #1093 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The two boxers glared __________ at one another before the fight; it was apparent to all in the audience that the two were not fond of one another.

Possible Answers:

cordially

amicably

contemptuously

innocently

superficially

Correct answer:

contemptuously

Explanation:

The context of the sentence describes how the two boxers disliked one another and the use of the word “glared” suggests that the look exchanged between the two boxers was hostile. This leads to the correct answer “contemptuously” which means derisively or lacking respect. Amicably and cordially both refer to friendliness and politeness; superficially describes something down without depth and not profound.

Example Question #421 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Stephen’s __________ nature often got him into trouble; he just could not keep his thoughts and ideas to himself.

Possible Answers:

loopy 

serendipitous

explosive 

garrulous

terse

Correct answer:

garrulous

Explanation:

The second clause in the sentence describes how Stephen could not help from sharing his thoughts out loud; therefore you know the correct answer must describe some talkative quality of Stephen. This means that the correct answer is “garrulous” which means chatty or talkative. Serendipitous refers to the accidental discovery of some good fortune; terse means brief; loopy means crazy or absurd.

Example Question #422 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The sound of a high-pitched dog whistle is __________ to most humans; however some can still hear it loud and clear.

Possible Answers:

expressive 

suggestive 

forgiving 

inaudible 

indicative

Correct answer:

inaudible 

Explanation:

The use of the conjunction “however” tells you that the second clause is different in meaning to the first clause. The second clause describes how some people can still hear dog whistles “loud and clear” so you know that the first blank must describe the inability to hear. The correct answer is therefore inaudible (which means impossible to hear).

Example Question #423 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

All of Derek’s friends speak fondly of his friendship and consider him a kind and __________ man.

Possible Answers:

fortuitous

succulent 

distant 

robust 

amiable

Correct answer:

amiable

Explanation:

From the context of the question you know that the description of Derek has to be positive and related to kindness. Of the possible answer choices only amiable closely resembles the required meaning of the blank. "Amiable" means friendly and pleasant company. "Distant" means aloof; "robust" means strong; "succulent" means delicious; "fortuitous" means lucky.

Example Question #424 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Having just been called __________ by her friends, Carrie proved them right by storming out of the room.

Possible Answers:

jubilant

haughty 

courageous 

histrionic

negligible

Correct answer:

histrionic

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence you know that whatever Carrie was called by her friends she must have proved it right when she stormed out of the room. Storming out of a room is a dramatic response so the blank word must closely resemble a dramatic action. Jubilant means joyous; courageous means brave; haughty means condescending or proud; negligible means insignificant. Those answer choices are all incorrect. The correct answer is histrionic which means overdramatic or theatrical.

Example Question #425 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

It would be foolish to describe the invention of the cotton gin as __________ because it changed the economic and social situation in the South.

Possible Answers:

negligible

apoplectic

wondrous

indulgent 

comely 

Correct answer:

negligible

Explanation:

The second clause of this sentence emphasizes how the economic and social situation of the South was changed by the invention of the cotton gin. Therefore it would appear to be foolish to describe its invention as insignificant. Of the five answer choices negligible is by far the best match. Negligible means insignificant; indulgent means tolerant; apoplectic means overcome with anger; wondrous means inspirational; comely describes something cute.

Example Question #426 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The mythology and magical legend surrounding the former Russian minister Rasputin caused him to be perceived somewhat __________ during his lifetime.

Possible Answers:

sardonically 

wistfully 

lazily 

magnanimously

preternaturally

Correct answer:

preternaturally

Explanation:

From the context of this sentence you know that Rasputin must be perceived as something otherworldly, magical or unnatural. Of the five answer choices preternaturally is by far the best answer. It means exceeding what is common in nature or supernatural. Sardonically means sarcastically; wistfully refers to looking back with sorrowful appreciation to the past; magnanimously refers to a noble-spirited, generous individual.

Example Question #427 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Winston Churchill’s contemporaries spent many a __________ evening in his company; he was considered knowledgeable and pleasant to be around.

Possible Answers:

cautious 

meticulous 

convivial

mercenary 

endangered 

Correct answer:

convivial

Explanation:

The second clause in the sentence describes Winston Churchill as knowledgeable and pleasant to be around. From this information you can infer that the blank word must describe some amiable or positive quality about Churchill. Of the five answer choices only convivial describes fits comfortable. Convivial means enjoyable company or pleasant. Meticulous refers to someone who is precise and extremely careful; mercenary means doing something for money; cautious means careful; endangered means threatened.

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