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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1294 : Psat Critical Reading

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

Even though he was the least talented member of the team, the coach always started the midfielder as a __________ to assist the team's fortunes.

Possible Answers:

talisman

functionary

hindrance

burden

poison

Correct answer:

talisman

Explanation:

Remember that the correct answer choice is the best choice, not just an answer that can make sense in the sentence. Here, all the choices can make sense, but only "talisman," meaning a kind of lucky charm, fits best with the notion that the coach is assisting his team's fortunes.

Example Question #1295 : Psat Critical Reading

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

This year’s presidential address was criticized for its dry __________ since it iterated the same political notions over and over.

Possible Answers:

paganism

banter

reminiscence

redundancy

monotonous

Correct answer:

redundancy

Explanation:

"Redundancy" means repetition or reiteration of the same ideas.

Example Question #273 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

__________ can be a desirable trait in poetry if the author wants his or her piece to have more than one possible interpretation.

Possible Answers:

Stealth

Premonition

Ambiguity

Foreshadowing

Opulence

Correct answer:

Ambiguity

Explanation:

Since "ambiguity" is the opposite of clarity, an ambiguous poem is one that could have more than one interpretation.

Example Question #274 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The jurors were awed by the assailant’s coldness; he completly lacked __________ for the family members of those he murdered.

Possible Answers:

misery

indulgence

candor

empathy

ingratitude

Correct answer:

empathy

Explanation:

"Coldness," in an emotional sense, is synonymous with a lack of empathy, pity, or compassion.

Example Question #391 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

James was a bit of a(n) __________ on the team, as everyone else seemed to enjoy socializing after games, whereas he preferred going home to be alone.

Possible Answers:

player

dissonance

anomaly

foible

confluence

Correct answer:

anomaly

Explanation:

An "anomaly" is something that varies from the norm, such as staying home while everyone else hangs out together.

Example Question #271 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The children loved spending time with their grandfather, whose favorite __________ was "Always make time to stop and smell the roses."

Possible Answers:

distraction

maxim

scintilla

gargantuan

retribution

Correct answer:

maxim

Explanation:

A "maxim" is a common saying of advice or virtue, such as "stop and smell the roses," which means that it's always a good idea to enjoy the little things in life.

Example Question #272 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Few of the artist’s works examine the __________ of men and women; he prefers to depict their ugliness.

Possible Answers:

frivolity

pulchritude

hideousness

malformation

sobriety

Correct answer:

pulchritude

Explanation:

"Pulchritude" means physical beauty. An artist who prefers to depict ugliness would not depict physical beauty.

Example Question #273 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The model’s once atypical beauty eventually became the __________ by which all subsequent models were judged.

Possible Answers:

paradigm

substandard

quandary

unoriginal

moderate

Correct answer:

paradigm

Explanation:

"Paradigm" means that which serves as a pattern or model. The model's once uncommon beauty eventually became the standard by which the beauty of other models was determined.

Example Question #274 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Because of her incomparable __________, the wicked stepmother easily tricked her new husband in the fairy tale.

Possible Answers:

naivety

guile

frankness

sincerity

artlessness

Correct answer:

guile

Explanation:

"Guile" means deceitful and cunning behavior. A wicked stepmother tricking her husband, like those found in old fairy tales, would certainly brim with guile.

Example Question #1773 : Sat Critical Reading

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

His direct and somewhat offensive speech ably demonstrated a complete lack of __________.

Possible Answers:

boorishness

bluntness

obviousness

nuance

forcefulness

Correct answer:

nuance

Explanation:

The man's direct, offensive speech is placed in contrast with the correct answer choice. Look for the word that is the best antonym for "direct" or "offensive." "Nuance," indicating subtlety or a fine meaning, is the closest antonym among the answer choices.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors