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 #502 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

In contrast with his brother's daredevil lifestyle, Peter thought his life was quite __________.

Possible Answers:

candid

recalcitrant

mundane

dedicated

municipal

Correct answer:

mundane

Explanation:

The contrast here is between the daredevil lifestyle and one that is not so risky. Likely, Peter found his life to be boring. The word "mundane" comes from the Latin for world. "Mundane" affairs are those that are just part of the normal day-to-day world. They are believed to be boring because they are common. (Sometimes "mundane" concerns are contrasted to ones that are "heavenly" in a religious sense.)

Example Question #503 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Before undertaking any task, it is appropriate to discern whether or not it is __________, for it would be quite frustrating to realize too late that it is utterly impossible to complete.

Possible Answers:

imminent

inevitable

feasible

facile

simplistic

Correct answer:

feasible

Explanation:

The contrast in this sentence is between possible and impossible tasks. It is not necessarily about easy and difficult tasks (though impossible tasks are supremely difficult). Thus, we can eliminate the tempting wrong answers "facile" and "simplistic." The word "feasible" means possible. It can indicate that something is easy, but it means more broadly able to be done. This is its main meaning. Thus, it is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #504 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Rarely can a first class in philosophy deal with the __________ and difficult matters that are discussed in advanced classes. Therefore, professors must always begin by using texts that are relatively understandable to novice philosophy students.

Possible Answers:

agnostic

thorough

impractical

inane

impenetrable

Correct answer:

impenetrable

Explanation:

There are several clues that will help you determine this sentence's answer. First, the first classes are contrasted with advanced classes, which treated more "difficult matters." Also, the second sentence states that professors must start with "understandable" texts. Thus, the blank likely means not understandable. The point is that a first class cannot use difficult and not-understandable texts. Something that is "impenetrable" is very difficult to understand. It is like the mind cannot penetrate through to the meaning.

Example Question #505 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

After looking __________ at the microscope images for several hours, Sean’s eyes were exhausted from the long strain of this concentrated work.

Possible Answers:

fallaciously

intelligently

intently

sagaciously

technically

Correct answer:

intently

Explanation:

The sentence focuses on the fact that Sean had undertaken work that was straining (difficult) and "concentrated." Thus, while his work may well have been "technical," "intelligent," and even wise ("sagacious"), it is best to say that he had been looking through the scope "intently." This means that he had focused attention on the task—something that is very straining and concentrated.

Example Question #506 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Although John long ignored Mary’s requests for help, her __________ inquiries eventually broke down his patience and led him to agree to give her the assistance she wanted.

Possible Answers:

hilarious

abusive

strategic

persistent

occasional

Correct answer:

persistent

Explanation:

Several clues will help you with this sentence. First, we can guess that Mary had requested help for some time. John had "long ignored" her requests. Likewise, we can tell that his patience was broken down by her "inquiries." Now, we can't say whether or not they were abusive inquiries, but it is appropriate to say that they were "long lasting"—she kept asking for a long time, eventually making him lose his patience enough to agree to give her the assistance. Something that "persists" lasts for a long time, no matter what hardships come its way. The trait of being "persistent" describes something that lasts a long time in this manner. This is a good way to describe Mary's inquiries, given the clues in this sentence.

Example Question #507 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

With the increased use of antibiotics, certain forms of bacteria have become extremely __________, able to withstand many of the drugs that at one time were able to kill them rapidly.

Possible Answers:

deadly

resilient 

fatal

lethal

enfeebled

Correct answer:

resilient 

Explanation:

The only clue that you are given in this sentence is that some bacteria have become "able to withstand" drugs. From this, you cannot say that the bacteria has necessarily become more fatal or life-threatening ("deadly"). Even though it is resistant, you cannot guarantee that it is more dangerous. (It likely is, but you cannot go beyond what is directly stated or implied in the sentence.) The word "resilient" means able to withstand difficulties. These forms of bacteria are "resilient" in that they are not as easily killed by drugs.

Example Question #508 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Some people find a large number of options to be __________, making any choice nearly impossible in the face of so many choices.

Possible Answers:

meandering

degenerative

trivial

bewildering

surprising

Correct answer:

bewildering

Explanation:

If you read the sentence directly, the meaning is rather direct. It implies that some people "find a large number of options to be" overwhelming—hence, they cannot make any choices when presented with so many options. When something is "bewildering," it makes someone feel confused. If someone is confused by many options, it would be quite difficult for him or her to make a choice regarding them.

Example Question #509 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Mark had been a(n) __________ friend for many years, always ready to provide help for his close companions whenever they were in need.

Possible Answers:

orderly

exalted

precocious

vivacious

devoted

Correct answer:

devoted

Explanation:

The key characteristic by which Mark is described here is his readiness to "help" his friends. This describes a person who is loyal and generous. Now, you likely know that "vivacious" and "precocious" mean something positive, but "vivacious" means lively and "precocious" means very advanced for a young age. Neither of these are appropriate. "Orderly" and "exalted" do not make sense here, either, for they do not express the idea of loyalty (though "orderly" might make you think this, given that "orderly" things exhibit a kind of regularity). Thus, the best option among those provided is "devoted," which explicitly means loyal.

Example Question #510 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Though many thought Francis was an anarchist with plans to overthrow the government, he was actually quite ready to accept __________ authority that he believed had been lawfully elected.

Possible Answers:

legitimate

political

paternal

substitutionary

collective

Correct answer:

legitimate

Explanation:

The key clue in this sentence is "that he believed had been lawfully elected." This describes the kind of authority that Francis believed to be acceptable. When something is done according to the law or lawfully, it is "legitimate." The word actually comes from the Latin "legis," meaning "of the law." This is the best option among those provided, for it alone implies this kind of legality.

Example Question #511 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ teacher needed much guidance as he began teaching, for his lack of experience required the counsel of those who had taught for many years.

Possible Answers:

young

student

juvenile

substitute

novice

Correct answer:

novice

Explanation:

The key thing to note in this sentence is that the teacher in question lacks experience. Thus, we cannot say anything about his age—whether he is old or young remains unstated. Although it is usually used as a noun, the word "novice" can be used as an adjective to describe someone who is inexperienced. Thus, this teacher is best called a "novice teacher" because he is said to lack experience. The word "novice" comes from the Latin "novus," meaning new. We see this word in other English words like "novel" (an adjective describing something new) and "nova" in "supernova," which describes a kind of new brightness in the sky when a star explodes.

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