ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Sentence Completion

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #215 : One Blank Sentences

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

After their total defeat, the remaining warriors, only a small __________ of the many thousands who fought, retreated to their ships.

Possible Answers:

phalanx

legion

remnant

capillary

rabble

Correct answer:

remnant

Explanation:

Since the warriors were defeated, we should expect only a portion or a remainder of the many thousands retreated to the ships. The word we want should indicate smallness, because not many of the warriors survived. "Phalanx" means a specific type of military formation—this would say something about how the soldiers retreated, not about how many were left. "Rabble" is close, but it means a disorderly mob. "Legion" is the opposite of what we want; it means a very large number. "Capillary" refers to a vein or blood vessel in the body. The best choice is "remnant," which means a fragment or a small remainder.

Example Question #206 : One Blank Sentences

Given that John’s personal life did not match the moral injunctions about which he wrote vehemently, many of John’s friends expected him some day to condemn his own behavior as sheer __________.

Possible Answers:

hypocrisy

oversight

perplexity

irregularity

insensitivity

Correct answer:

hypocrisy

Explanation:

The key thing to note in the initial subordinate clause is that John’s life is “out of harmony” with the moral code that he proclaimed (and indeed enjoined to others) in his writing. When someone’s actions oppose the standards in which they claim to believe, such a person is called a “hypocrite.” John’s friends well expected him to condemn is own “hypocritical” behavior. They must have believed that, given his high moral standards, he would eventually be forced to admit to the immorality of his hypocrisy.

Example Question #132 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The Prime Minister had no time for __________; he wanted his advisors to be honest and uncompromising.

Possible Answers:

theologians

sycophants

rancor 

vagabonds 

merriment

Correct answer:

sycophants

Explanation:

From the context of the question you can infer that the Prime Minister had no time for advisors who were not honest and uncompromising. Of the five possible answer choices only sycophants refers to someone who is dishonest. A sycophant is literally a person who flatters someone powerful for personal gain. Vagabonds are homeless people; merriment refers to great happiness; rancor is resentment; theologians are people who consider the nature of God and religion.

Example Question #133 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

Generally speaking, Peter’s sister’s nagging was really nothing more than an __________, though at times it could nearly enrage him.

Possible Answers:

inconvenience

irritant

immaturity

aggravation

exasperation

Correct answer:

irritant

Explanation:

The sentence implies a contrast between the answer and the word “enrage.” It is not a complete contrast but a case of intensification, for the answer is said to be “nothing more” than something (i.e. something relatively small in comparison with being enraged). While a number of the options pertain to anger, the word “irritant” best captures the sense of “making someone slightly angry.” The word generally is applied to something causing a bodily sore but it also can be applied to people in the sense of being annoying.

Example Question #134 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

Since people were always searching through the town’s garbage, its citizens found it necessary to exercise constant __________ in taking all precautions against leaving personal data in the trash.

Possible Answers:

tedium

reflection

spying

vigilance

fussiness

Correct answer:

vigilance

Explanation:

Since citizens had to take “all precautions,” they had to exercise great care and indeed awareness of any potential personal data that might be placed into the trash. When one exercises awareness, he or she is said to be “vigilant.” The word is related to “vigil,” which is the act of staying awake in order to wait for someone or something. Someone who exercises “vigilance” does not “fall asleep at the wheel”—metaphorically speaking—and does not overlook dangers.

Example Question #135 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

When leading a group, it is necessary to show no __________, for favoring any party or individual can lead to much damage to group morale.

Possible Answers:

oversight

arrogance

partiality

omission

inadequacy

Correct answer:

partiality

Explanation:

The key expression in this sentence is “for favoring any party . . .” The answer must be a word that describes the act of such favoring (which the leader must not show or do). When someone shows partiality or is partial to something, he or she shows a bias in favor of that thing, often for reasons that are not adequate. It often can merely mean “favoritism.” You can think of it as one “taking the part (or side)” of some favored person.

Example Question #136 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

Although the organ was totally destroyed by the arsonist, the court required that he pay an amount equal to its value in __________ for the damage done.

Possible Answers:

criminality

response

guilt

restitution

contrition

Correct answer:

restitution

Explanation:

The key thing to note is that the arsonist must totally repay the value of the organ. When someone restores stolen or damaged property, such a payment is called “restitution.” The “-stit-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for “to stand,” though it takes on the meaning of “returning to a state in which something stood before.” (As you can see, the sense is metaphoric.) This base word is found in many English words like “institute,” “substitute,” and “statue.” Note that “restitution” can also be repaid for general losses and injuries, not merely property damage.

Example Question #221 : One Blank Sentences

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

Reflecting back on his many successes and popularity, the politician found his current exile from public affairs to be the __________ of his entire career.

Possible Answers:

nadir

unraveling

antithesis

ruination

apogee

Correct answer:

nadir

Explanation:

Since the politician’s fortunes had changed so greatly, it is fair to say that he has gone from being “on the top of the world” to being on the “lowest rung.” When one is at his or her “nadir,” he or she is at the lowest point of his or her fortunes or accomplishments. Do not be tempted to think that the best option would be “ruination” or “unraveling,” for while these may indeed be true, the focus of the sentence is clearly on the fact that this is a low point in comparison with the rest of his career.

Example Question #222 : One Blank Sentences

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

Given the thousands of miles that separated the kingdom from its colonies, the ruler found it necessary to appoint a __________ to live and rule them as the royal representative.

Possible Answers:

ambassador

substitute

replacement

regent

viceroy

Correct answer:

viceroy

Explanation:

The key thing to note here is that the appointee is being assigned to a colonial office and that said person will be acting as a representative, not as a replacement. Such a person is called a “viceroy.” The prefix “vice” means “in the place of,” as one sees in the case of “vice president.” The ending “roy” is related to the French for king, “roi,” which ultimately is related to other words from the common Latin base meaning king or ruler, as founding words like “regal,” “reign,” and “interregnum.”

Example Question #252 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

Before you present your __________, you should have some initial evidence in support of your potential research project.

Possible Answers:

recollections

notions

summary

opinions

thesis

Correct answer:

thesis

Explanation:

The pivotal clues for this sentence are “initial evidence” and “potential research project.” This implies that the person has not yet started the project. While perhaps he or she could be presenting "opinions," the general implication is that he or she is undertaking some new research. When we start projects of this sort, we often lay out a thesis or hypothesis, upon which we will further elaborate with the passage of time.

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