ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Sentence Completion

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

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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.

Possible Answers:

concede

lampoon

testify

amend

transgress

Correct answer:

testify

Explanation:

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 #373 : 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.

Possible Answers:

reinforcing

jeopardizing

investigating

mollifying

permitting

Correct answer:

jeopardizing

Explanation:

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 #374 : 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?”

Possible Answers:

acclaimed

complimented

chided

hailed

lionized

Correct answer:

chided

Explanation:

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 #375 : 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.

Possible Answers:

agitate

exasperate

contravene

mimic

rout

Correct answer:

mimic

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

assured

exposed

censured

swindled

tormented

Correct answer:

tormented

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

pardoned

chided

aspired

mourned

exhorted

Correct answer:

exhorted

Explanation:

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 #378 : 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.

Possible Answers:

invalidated

disregarded

impeded

bolstered

implored

Correct answer:

bolstered

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

motioning

compiling

imitating

alluding

feigning

Correct answer:

alluding

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

impede

inhabit

resign

facilitate

provoke

Correct answer:

facilitate

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

denigrate

subsist

recede 

implore

protrude

Correct answer:

subsist

Explanation:

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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