All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #541 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The witness was brought forth to __________ against the accused.
concede
lampoon
testify
amend
transgress
testify
The use of the word “witness” suggests that the correct answer is “testify.” “Testify” means to speak out about or bring evidence against in a court of law; “concede” means give up or accept defeat; “amend” means edit; “lampoon” means mock or deride; and “transgress” means misbehave or break the rules.
Example Question #372 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The parents were very angry with the babysitter for __________ the children’s routine by allowing the kids to stay up way past their bedtimes.
reinforcing
permitting
mollifying
investigating
jeopardizing
jeopardizing
The parents are angry with the babysitter because she put the maintenance of the children’s routine in danger. This means that the correct answer is “jeopardizing.” To “jeopardize” means to put in danger, to endanger, or to threaten; “reinforcing” means backing up, improving the defense of, or strengthening; “mollifying” means calming, soothing, or alleviating; "investigating" means exploring or looking into an issue; and "permitting" means allowing.
Example Question #373 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He __________ his son for losing the car keys, asking, “How exactly did this happen?”
chided
lionized
acclaimed
hailed
complimented
chided
It makes sense that the boy’s father would criticize or reprimand his son for losing the car keys, so the correct answer must be “chided.” “Chided” means scold, rebuke, reprimand, or chastise. As for the other answer choices, “lionized” means made into a hero; “complimented” means praised or said something nice about; "acclaimed" means praised openly; “hailed” means praised, lauded, or mentioned the impact of favorably. All four of these incorrect answer choices are loose synonyms of one another.
Example Question #374 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She makes a good impressionist because she is able to __________ the voices and mannerisms of many different types of people.
rout
mimic
exasperate
contravene
agitate
mimic
A good impressionist would be able to copy the voices and mannerisms of people, so the best answer is “mimic,” which means to copy, particularly for the purposes of humor. As for the other answer choices, "contravene" means violate or breach; “rout” means beat completely or destroy in competition; “agitate” means disturb or annoy; and “exasperate” means anger, enrage, or antagonize.
Example Question #376 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He did not wish to own a dog, as he was __________ by memories of being bitten by one as a child.
assured
exposed
censured
swindled
tormented
tormented
The context of the sentence suggests that the man being described has traumatic and horrible memories of being bitten by a dog. This suggests that he was “tormented” by these memories. “Tormented” means emotionally distressed; “exposed” means revealed; “swindled” means tricked out of money; “censured” means expressed one's disapproval of; and “assured” means guaranteed or made to feel confident.
Example Question #377 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The organizers __________ people passionately to come out and support their cause, and everyone took note of their enthusiastic requests.
pardoned
chided
aspired
mourned
exhorted
exhorted
The underlined word describes what the organizers did. Because they did so “passionately” and their purpose was to get people to do something, the best answer is “exhorted.” “Exhorted” means passionately urged. As for the other answer choices, “chided” means censured or rebuked; “aspired” means desired to achieve; “mourned” means expressed great sadness over the loss of; and “pardoned” means officially forgave a wrong.
Example Question #375 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Her theory was __________ by experimental evidence, so she felt finally ready to publish.
impeded
bolstered
implored
disregarded
invalidated
bolstered
Because the subject feels as if she is "finally ready to publish," you know that her theory must have been supported or reinforced by the evidence. So, the correct answer is “bolstered." “Impeded” means slowed down or halted; “disregarded” means ignored; “implored” means begged; and "invalidated" means shown to be false.
Example Question #379 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was frustrated with him for not speaking plainly and openly, yet consistently __________ to a problem.
motioning
compiling
imitating
alluding
feigning
alluding
The subject is frustrated with the man because he does not speak plainly and openly with her, yet he is constantly doing something that relates to a problem. The opposite of speaking plainly and openly is hinting at or suggesting a problem, and this tells you that the correct answer is “alluding.” “Alluding” to something means indirectly hinting at it. As for the other answer choices, “imitating” means copying; “compiling” means gathering or collecting; “feigning” means pretending; and “motioning” means gesturing to indicate something.
Example Question #380 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The university increased its scholarship funding to __________ access for underprivileged kids.
impede
inhabit
resign
facilitate
provoke
facilitate
If the university increased its scholarship funding, this would presumable help underprivileged kids attend the university. So the answer choice must mean help. This leads to the correct answer, “facilitate,” which means to help something happen. As for the other answer choices, “resign” means quit, especially quit one's job; “provoke” means instigate or cause someone to have a negative reaction; “inhabit” means live in; and “impede” means stop the progress of.
Example Question #381 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When he started college, he had very little money, so he had to __________ on the meager income he earned as a busboy.
denigrate
subsist
recede
implore
protrude
subsist
The context of the sentence tells you that the subject had little money and had to survive on his meager income. This should lead you to the answer “subsist,” which means survive on the bare minimum needed. As for the other answer choices, “denigrate” means belittle, criticize unfairly, or make seem less important; “implore” means beg, urge, or encourage; “protrude” means stick out or extend out; and “recede” means retreat or dwindle.
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