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 #121 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

As a(n) __________ of fine cuisine, he was able to differentiate between authentic flavors of international foods and mimicked flavors.

Possible Answers:

authority

prodigy

critic

connoisseur

virtuoso

Correct answer:

connoisseur

Explanation:

Since he was familiar with food and the sentence indicates he is an expert, the best answer choice is connoisseur.

Example Question #122 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The actor missed his __________ and entered the scene a bit later than planned, but luckily it didn't affect the plot of the play.

Possible Answers:

jump

cue

project

tardiness

summons

Correct answer:

cue

Explanation:

We know that the actor missed some direction telling him to enter the scene, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "signal." While "summons" might seem like the correct answer, "cue" fits the context of the sentence better; while "summons" means "an authoritative or urgent call to someone to be present or to do something" or "an order to appear before a judge or magistrate, or the writ containing it," "cue" means "a thing said or done that serves as a signal to an actor or other performer to enter or to begin their speech or performance." Because "cue" best fits the theatrical context of the sentence, "cue" is the correct answer.

Example Question #123 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The meetings had no preplanned __________, so topics would arise each week in an ad hoc manner depending on the questions raised by the attendees.

Possible Answers:

agenda

extent

locale

intention

scope

Correct answer:

agenda

Explanation:

When something is done ad hoc, it is performed for this or that purpose, not in a planned, cohesive manner. (The expression comes from Latin meaning “to this [purpose / end].”) The implication, therefore, is that the meetings were not planned but merely addressed issues as they arose. Therefore, it did not have any preplanned agenda. The word come from the Latin meaning “things to be done.” It is related to many “act” words like “agent,” “action,” “activity,” and so forth.

Example Question #124 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Although some people can read a foreign language adequately, few have achieved the __________ necessary for speaking the language in its native land.

Possible Answers:

scholarship

sophistication

fluency

education

erudition

Correct answer:

fluency

Explanation:

Although one might be tempted to choose almost any of the options, most of all “erudition” and “sophistication,” the sense of the sentence is best met by a word describing one having complete ability to communicate. When someone is “fluent” in a language, he or she is able to utilize it in speaking and / or writing in a totally natural manner. The word comes from the Latin for “to flow,” and one could think of a “fluent speaker” as one from whom words “flow readily.”

Example Question #125 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Having been given a promotion, Theodoric had fifteen new __________ who answered to him.

Possible Answers:

workers

subordinates

officers

laborers

managers

Correct answer:

subordinates

Explanation:

The only thing that can be said about the fifteen people in relation to Theodoric is that they were now “under” his watch or control. When someone is called a “subordinate,” he or she is in a lower position in relation to those who are “over” them. The word literally means “of an order (‘-ordinate’) below (‘sub-’)” or “ordained (i.e. placed or assigned) below another.”

Example Question #126 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Although she experienced numerous defeats, Imelda ultimately achieved her goal through her unflagging __________.

Possible Answers:

prosperity

ethic

perseverance

adoption

success

Correct answer:

perseverance

Explanation:

When someone is “unflagging,” he or she is tireless. Someone is said to be “flagging,” when he or she is tiring, a word that is related to the “flapping” sort of hanging that one finds in the case of a cloth flag on display; therefore, the best description of Imelda (in the face of the numerous defeats) is that she continued onward in spite of the disappointments. Thus, she “persevered” or had “perseverance.”

Example Question #127 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Dana was aware of her tendency to make vague statements, so she worked to develop __________ in her writing style.

Possible Answers:

precision

erudition

humility

simplicity

plainness

Correct answer:

precision

Explanation:

The opposition in this sentence is between “vagueness” and “non-vagueness.” Therefore, the best choice is not merely “simplicity” or even “plainness,” but instead “precision.” When someone is precise (or shows precision), he or she does or writes “just enough” in order to communicate everything that is needed. This means that such language will not be vague or diffuse but rather is direct and plain. The word literally means “to cut short” or “to cut in advance.” It is related to “scissors” as well as “incision.”

Example Question #128 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

After trying for months to convince Oliver to change his opinions, his wife accepted his __________ and ceased her attempts.

Possible Answers:

arrogance

complacency

satisfaction

contentment

obduracy

Correct answer:

obduracy

Explanation:

The key expression here is “to change his opinions.” Since Oliver’s wife failed to lead him to change these, it could be said that he was stubbornly clinging on to his ways and options. When someone is “obdurate,” he or she is stubborn in refusing to change in these ways. The word comes from the Latin for “hard” found in English words like “durability” and “endurance.” The expression “to harden one’s heart” is similar in meaning to “obdurate.”

Example Question #111 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

When the class began to mock and laugh at Francis, he recoiled in horror, for he could not bear the embarrassment of such __________.

Possible Answers:

declamation

ridicule

attention

atrocities

joking

Correct answer:

ridicule

Explanation:

The key expression here is “mock and laugh.” Since it is implied that Francis cannot bear such things, the best to say that he could not bear “ridicule.” The word means “to mock, deride, and / or laugh at.” It comes from the Latin for “to laugh” and is found in English words like “ridiculous,” “risible,” and “derision.” In particular, “deride” carries the added sense of mockery, not merely laugher.

Example Question #112 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Much of the audience was pleased with Jennifer's __________, saying that it was a great introduction to the forum.

Possible Answers:

dissonance

fugitive

malediction

pariah

preamble

Correct answer:

preamble

Explanation:

The second half of the sentence tells us that Jennifer gave some kind of introduction. "Preamble" is the answer choice that means an introductory statement.

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