ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1774 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The professor suspected ____________ when the student's rewritten essay was much better than his previous efforts.
abhorrence
brilliance
tolerance
plagiarism
authenticity
plagiarism
The most important aspect of this sentence is the professor's suspicion of the student's essay. The correct answer needed to convert some sense of wrongdoing. "Plagiarism," the taking of credit for someone else's writing or work, is the only answer choice with such a sense.
Example Question #1775 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The developer's new software garnered a great deal of __________ for the previously unknown young programmer.
ignominy
hatred
infamy
jealousy
renown
renown
This question is an example of finding the best fit among the answer choices, not just a word that makes sense in the sentence, which all the answer choices do. The inclusion of "previously unknown" in the sentence indicate that the correct answer has some meaning of fame for achievements, which is the definition of "renown."
Example Question #1776 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
King Solomon was esteemed for his knowledge and __________, as his knowledge was counter-balanced by a practical wisdom.
ardor
shallowness
indecisiveness
irresoluteness
sapience
sapience
"Sapience" means great wisdom and discernment. King Solomon's knowledge was tempered by his practical wisdom (that is, his "sapience").
Example Question #1777 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was a __________ with the cello, but her exceptional talent came at a heavy price; she had no social life.
hack
iconoclast
clairvoyant
virtuoso
novice
virtuoso
"Virtuoso" means a person with masterly technique, skill, or style. The cellist had masterly technique, skill, or style, but her accomplishment detracted from her relationships with others.
Example Question #363 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although he was noted as an emerging star in his rookie season, the baseball player enjoyed his greatest __________ after his fifth year in the league.
renown
delusion
quagmire
translucence
apathy
renown
The main clue is the word “although,” which suggests a contrast. Here, despite having a strong reputation in his first, rookie season, the baseball player enjoyed his greatest recognition later in his career. Only "renown" fits the definition of having even greater recognition.
Example Question #1778 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The expert sculptor was astonished to see such breathtaking work done by a mere __________.
sophist
ascetic
philistine
chronicler
amateur
amateur
The fact that an expert would be astonished by the work of an individual suggests that it was unexpected. An amateur (the correct choice) completing such breathtaking work would cause this astonishment.
Example Question #401 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
There is a need for more disciplined and stoical soldiers in our army; there are too many __________ among the troops.
bureaucrats
altruists
myrmidons
hedonists
auguries
hedonists
The semicolon indicates there is a supporting connection between what is declared before and after the semicolon. If there is a lack of disciplined and stoical (accepting pain and hardship without complaining) soldiers, then there are probably too many of the opposite types of soldiers currently in the army. Only "hedonists" (pleasure seekers) fits this definition.
Example Question #402 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While losing his job and his title, the politician believed the public __________ was the worst part of his infamous scandal.
censure
approval
approbation
esteem
celebration
censure
The “infamous scandal” and the loss of job and title indicate negativity in the politician’s experience. The only word among the answer choices which has a negative connotation is “censure,” which means expression of disapproval.
Example Question #403 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The politician was always railing against taxes, and was accused of offering a lower tax rate as a simple __________.
mechanism
apparatus
fabrication
falsehood
panacea
panacea
The invocation of simplicity means that the politician’s lower tax rates are never seriously considered or offered with any complexity. “Panacea,” which means cure-all or magical fix, is the only answer with the appropriate sense of lightness to the solution.
Example Question #404 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His sales strategy was considered a __________, and all new hires in the company were taught the method in regular orientation.
paradigm
facsimile
problem
waste
possibility
paradigm
The key element to the sentence is the second clause, which indicates that the sales strategy is something the company wants to share with everyone. There is not an exactly perfect word, but each needs to be read in context. “Paradigm,” meaning model or example, is the best answer available.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
