ISEE Upper Level Verbal : One-Blank Sentences

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #622 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The missionary went to central Africa to __________, but found that the natives had already been converted to Christianity. 

Possible Answers:

demonize

prattle

postulate

proselytize

embezzle

Correct answer:

proselytize

Explanation:

The context of this sentence tells you that the correct answer must mean something like to preach, to try to convert. The correct answer is therefore "proselytize." To provide further help, "demonize" means characterize as wicked; "postulate" means guess at, suggest a theory; "prattle" means talk aimlessly; "embezzle" means steal money from within an organization

Example Question #623 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

After a long and bitter winter, spring finally arrived and the plants began to __________

Possible Answers:

abate

germinate 

allocate 

inoculate 

inundate 

Correct answer:

germinate 

Explanation:

In spring plants tend to grow. Based on the context of this sentence you know that the answer you are looking for must mean something like to grow, to sprout. The correct answer is therefore "germinate." To "germinate" means to grow, to sprout upwards and is used to describe the growth of plants. To provide further help, "inundate" means flood, overwhelm; "abate" means stop or pause; "allocate" means assign to; "inoculate" means vaccinate, provide medicine to prevent the outbreak of a disease

Example Question #624 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

During the war many items were __________ so as to ensure that there was enough to go around.

Possible Answers:

flouted

imbued

rationed

agitated

shirked

Correct answer:

rationed

Explanation:

In this sentence you are told that something was done to items (like food or clothing) during the war so as to ensure that everyone had enough of what they needed. To "ration" is to permit each person to have only a fixed amount of something so as to ensure everyone has enough of what they need. To provide further help, "shirked" means avoided, dodged responsibility; "agitated" means disturbed or annoyed; "flouted" means ignored, particularly with regard to ignoring rules; "imbued" means filled with

Example Question #625 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

When we arrived in the United States our dog had to be __________ to ensure that he was not carrying any dangerous diseases.

Possible Answers:

juxtaposed

quarantined

entreated

garbled

harangued

Correct answer:

quarantined

Explanation:

In this sentence you are told that the speaker's dog was put somewhere to ensure that he was not bringing diseases into the country. To "quarantine" means to imprison or impose restrictions on someone or something to prevent the spread of diseases. To provide further help, "entreated" means urged, begged and encouraged; "garbled" means mixed up (and is also an adjective, not a verb as is required by the sentence); "juxtaposed" means compared; "harangued" means scolded, yelled at

Example Question #626 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The flower is __________ in the sun so my daughter is going to water it and move it into the shade. 

Possible Answers:

smitten 

scampering 

yielding 

embarking 

wilting 

Correct answer:

wilting 

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these words can best be used to describe a flower that is being made weak from heat and lack of water. The correct answer is therefore "wilting." To "wilt" means to become weak from the heat. Although "yielding" (which means surrendering, giving way to) might be a somewhat accurate answer, it is not as strong as "wilting." To provide further help, "embarking" means going on a journey, getting on a ship; "smitten" means in love with; "scampering" means darting, rushing, running about

Example Question #627 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

She was able to ___________ me of my wishful thinking using careful, logical arguments.

Possible Answers:

transpire 

abet

reconcile 

impute 

disabuse

Correct answer:

disabuse

Explanation:

The fact that the woman was "able" to convince the man using logic suggests she was able to persuade the man of the fanciful nature of his wishful thinking. To "disabuse" means to persuade or convince someone that his or her way of thinking is mistaken or wishful. To provide further help, "reconcile" means bring back together, make peace; "abet" means aid, help; "impute" means attribute to; "transpire" means happen, take place, occur

Example Question #628 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The wall had been in a state of disrepair for several years and finally a team of engineers was summoned to _________ it. 

Possible Answers:

buttress

enervate 

extol 

bequeath 

tantalize 

Correct answer:

buttress

Explanation:

You are told that the wall is in poor condition ("a state of disrepair") so it makes sense that the engineers would be brought in to reinforce, support it. The correct answer then is "buttress," which means strengthen, support, reinforce. Additionally, "bequeath" means to leave to someone (like in a will); "tantalize" means tease; "enervate" means weaken; "extol" means praise

Example Question #791 : One Blank Sentences

Throughout his school career, Joseph __________ all the traits of a good pupil: punctuality, tact, and work ethic.

Possible Answers:

discussed

displayed

epitomized

relayed

illustrated

Correct answer:

epitomized

Explanation:

The implication of these two sentences is that Joseph “gathers together” all the appropriate states of a good student. Something is called “the epitome” when it is the perfect example of a given class of things. When someone or something “shows forth” the perfect example, it is said to “epitomize” such perfection.

Example Question #1 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Filbert was an exceptionally __________ young man, noticing many details that his peers completely overlooked.

Possible Answers:

erudite

scholarly

perceptive

sophisticated

intellectual

Correct answer:

perceptive

Explanation:

The key clue to this sentence is the description found in the participial clause, "noticing many details . . ." All of the wrong answers focus on being intellectual or learned in some manner. While such a person likely will notice details more easily, the sense of this sentence only requires that we describe Filbert as someone who actually sees the details. A "perceptive" person does just that. The word can be used in many senses, all generally describing someone who notices details—be they physical, moral, conceptual, and so forth. Clearly, it is related to the verb "to perceive"—hence, it means (roughly) being able to perceive something.

Example Question #1 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The lawyer searched through the records feverishly, hoping to find any __________ evidence that might prove his client’s innocence.

Possible Answers:

trivial

visual

arbitrary

exculpatory

written

Correct answer:

exculpatory

Explanation:

This sentence does not indicate anything about the specific type of evidence being sought. Therefore, “written” and “visual” are immediately out of the question. Likewise, no lawyer would want "trivial" (unimportant) evidence, nor would he want to bring forth arbitrary evidence that was just random. However, he certainly wants evidence that proves innocence. Something is “exculpatory” when it does just that. The word literally means “out of-fault” ("ex" + "culpatory"). The word “culprit” is related to the “-culpatory” portion of the word, and both words come from the Latin "culpa," meaning fault.

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