ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Sentence Completion

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1311 : One Blank Sentences

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

The second computer seemed __________ to most of Nicholas’s family, who believed that it would add little benefit to that which he garnered from his already excellent laptop.

Possible Answers:

extreme

redundant

expensive

overbearing

thrifty

Correct answer:

redundant

Explanation:

The key point in this sentence is that Nicholas's new computer did not seem to add any benefit. It seemed to fill the same role as that of his original laptop. It was therefore superfluous. We do not know much about its cost, so "expensive" does not work well. The options "extreme" and "overwhelming" are not really justified by the subordinate clause which describes his family's reaction. Thus, the best option is "redundant," which means superfluous and not creating much additional benefit. A redundant thing is a kind of duplicate that really doesn't change matters—the first thing would be enough.

Example Question #1312 : One Blank Sentences

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

Sebastian was a very __________ boss, expecting much from his workers, whom he believed to be capable of producing excellent products.

Possible Answers:

exacting

tedious

hateful

merciful

bewildering

Correct answer:

exacting

Explanation:

The key thing to note about Sebastian is that he had high expectations of "his workers." Now, this might have been tedious and bewildering for some and even hateful for others. Still, high expectations are not necessarily any of these things. All that we know is that he was demanding with such expectations, and "exacting" means just this.

Example Question #1313 : One Blank Sentences

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

During a growth spurt, children seem to have an endless appetite, __________ eating anything given to them.

Possible Answers:

childishly

unquestioningly

carefully

voraciously

unhealthily

Correct answer:

voraciously

Explanation:

The implication of this sentence is that children "during a growth spurt" will eat heartily and in great quantities. When someone has a voracious appetite, he or she has a seemingly "endless appetite." Thus, it is appropriate to say that such children's eating can be described by the adverb "voraciously."

Example Question #1314 : One Blank Sentences

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

I accidently hit a parked car with my bike and had to offer my __________ apologies to the driver. 

Possible Answers:

morose 

docile 

profuse

garrulous 

laudable 

Correct answer:

profuse

Explanation:

If the speaker of this sentence hit a parked car with his bike it would make sense that he would want to offer his most sincere and abundant apology. The best answer choice here then is "profuse" which means copious and abundant. To provide further help, "docile" means calm; "laudable" means deserving of praise; "morose" means very sad and serious; "garrulous" means talkative

Example Question #1315 : One Blank Sentences

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

His mother advised him not to give money to the homeless man who lived on his block, but his __________ nature took over and he could not help himself. 

Possible Answers:

ebullient 

virulent 

optimistic 

altruistic 

pessimistic 

Correct answer:

altruistic 

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence it is clear that the boy did not listen to his mother and did give money to the homeless man. Giving selflessly to others is an example of "altruism" so this is the correct answer. "Altruistic" means selfless, giving. To provide further help, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "virulent" means strong and powerful

Example Question #1316 : One Blank Sentences

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

The lady is considered __________ because she claims that she can predict the future.

Possible Answers:

antagonistic

abstruse

clairvoyant

contrarian

serendipitous

Correct answer:

clairvoyant

Explanation:

Someone who is able to predict the future is called "clairvoyant." To provide further help, "serendipitous" means owed to good fortune; "antagonistic" means combative, seeking conflict; "contrarian" means someone who disagrees with others often and deliberately; "abstruse" means hard to understand

Example Question #1317 : One Blank Sentences

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

The teacher was beloved by her students and when she retired she was given a certificate attesting to her __________ conduct. 

Possible Answers:

resilient

blithe

meritorious

blasphemous

pedestrian

Correct answer:

meritorious

Explanation:

You are told that the teacher was beloved by her students so when she retired it makes sense that she would be given a certificate that praises her or attests to how good of a teacher she was. The correct answer is therefore "meritorious." "Meritorious" means deserving of praise. To provide further help, "pedestrian" means mediocre; "resilient" means tough, able to deal with setbacks; "blasphemous" means irreverent, using disrespectful language particularly towards God; "blithe" means casual, indifferent.

Example Question #1318 : One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ figure arose and got out of bed. 

Possible Answers:

contrite

disconsolate

assiduous

recumbent

nominal

Correct answer:

recumbent

Explanation:

You are provided very little information in this problem. All you know is that the subject stood up, meaning he was previously lying down. This clue should lead you to the correct answer "recumbent" which means lying flat, lying down. To provide further help, "contrite" means remorseful, feeling sorry for something done; "nominal" means not important, insignificant; "disconsolate" means hopeless; "assiduous" means hard working.

Example Question #1319 : One Blank Sentences

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

The athlete decided to change her training regime after a particularly __________ performance. 

Possible Answers:

pedestrian

luminary

posh

formidable

comely

Correct answer:

pedestrian

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence the underlined word must mean something like bad or average - if the athlete performed well she would not want to change coaches. So, the correct answer is "pedestrian." "Pedestrian" means dull, uninspired, mediocre. To provide further help, "comely" means cute; "luminary" means notable, an important person (and is also a noun, not an adjective, so it cannot be correct here); "posh" means wealthy and refined; , "formidable" means daunting

Example Question #1320 : One Blank Sentences

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

At his retirement party the forty-year employee was given a certificate recognizing his __________ conduct during his years of service.

Possible Answers:

melodious

nefarious

venial

doleful

exemplary

Correct answer:

exemplary

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence it is logical that the man would be given a certificate that reflects his flawless, impeccable, and devoted service during his years at the company. The answer choice that most closely reflects this definition is "exemplary" which means serving as a model, perfect and flawless. To provide further help, "melodious" means harmonious, producing a pleasant sound; "doleful" means sad and pathetic; "venial" means (of a sin) easily forgiven; "nefarious" means wicked, evil, wrong

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