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 #1754 : Sat Critical Reading

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

The sailor was allowed a ten-day __________ in order to attend to the estate of his late father. 

Possible Answers:

furlough

dismissal

recall

exodus

petard

Correct answer:

furlough

Explanation:

The sentence is referencing an allowed break from service, so the appropriate answer choice is “furlough.” 

Example Question #1755 : Sat Critical Reading

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

Richard’s status as a __________ was enhanced by his refusal to join the group’s effort.

Possible Answers:

maverick

devotee

sluggard

follower

participant

Correct answer:

maverick

Explanation:

Richard’s refusal to join the others means he is set apart from the group, which is the opposite meaning of "participant," "follower," "devotee," and unrelated in meaning to the word "sluggard." "Maverick" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1756 : Sat Critical Reading

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

The chef had an _________ to Asian cuisine, and refused to consider any jobs at Japanese restaurants.

Possible Answers:

affinity

auspiciousness

adaptibility

epiphany

aversion

Correct answer:

aversion

Explanation:

The sentence makes it clear that the chef does not like Japanese restaurants, therefore he clearly has a problem with Asian cuisine.  Of the available answer choices, only aversion gives the correct meaning.

Example Question #261 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The professor used a series of __________ in his education class in order to illustrate some difficulties young teachers face with students.

Possible Answers:

vignettes

veneers

lexicons

superlatives

outputs

Correct answer:

vignettes

Explanation:

"Vignettes" (short sketeches) is the only answer that provides an illustration (either via words or otherwise) from which students can learn. "Veneers" is entirely unrelated, as "verneers" means a surface coating or surface appearance that doesn't accurately characterize the whole; "superlatives" may be used in speech, but they do not alone illustrate potential difficulties; and "lexicons" are also related to words, but again, they do not illustrate difficulties.

Example Question #1758 : Sat Critical Reading

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

The cleric’s __________ was off-putting; everyone could see he was only pretending to believe.

Possible Answers:

hypocrisy

sincerity

genuineness

scrupulousness

naivete

Correct answer:

hypocrisy

Explanation:

"Hypocrisy" means affectation or false pretense of behaving in a good way. Naturally, a religious man or woman's affected belief would be unsettling.

Example Question #1759 : Sat Critical Reading

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

Punk music fans seem to enjoy it when their musicians scream __________ at them; they relish being cursed.

Possible Answers:

sweetly

ingratiatingly

maledictions

dulcetly

blessings

Correct answer:

maledictions

Explanation:

"Maledictions" are curses. A punk musician who screams maledictions at his fans is cursing them.

Example Question #1761 : Sat Critical Reading

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

The punk musician’s __________ ingratiated him to his fans; they loved his rudeness.

Possible Answers:

nonchalance

sincerity

insolence

empathy

consideration

Correct answer:

insolence

Explanation:

"Insolence" means rudeness and arrogance, while "ingratiate" means make someone else see you positively.  A performer whose fans love rudeness would bring himself into their good graces by being arrogant and rude.

Example Question #1291 : Psat Critical Reading

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

The chess player found himself in a serious __________ when he lost his most powerful piece early in the game.

Possible Answers:

quandary

caprice

lexicon

provocation

passivity

Correct answer:

quandary

Explanation:

"Quandary" means difficulty or problematic situation. A chess player would be in a difficult situation if he or she lost his or her most powerful piece early on in a game.

Example Question #1292 : Psat Critical Reading

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

The aging professor believed his speeches on immigration laws gave his students a unique perspective, but they mostly viewed him as an out-of-touch __________.

Possible Answers:

champion

hero

testament

bigot

amusement

Correct answer:

bigot

Explanation:

The students view their professor as out of touch, indicating that he is perceived in a negative light. Four of the possible answer choices are very positive. Only "bigot" is sufficiently negative.

Example Question #1293 : Psat Critical Reading

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

The estate owner was well known for being stingy, and some of his contractors were still seeking __________ years after they had completed their work.

Possible Answers:

access

totality

remuneration

comfort

solace

Correct answer:

remuneration

Explanation:

Upon looking at the answer choices, the word that should stick out in the sentence is "stingy," which means being tight with money; therefore, find the answer choice that is related to money or payment. "Remuneration," which specifically means payment for work, is the only choice with such a starkly financial meaning.

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