All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #602 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Celine decided to __________ distraction by unplugging her internet router, turning off her phone's volume, and not going near the television until she finished her project.
abdicate
solicit
imply
eschew
saturate
eschew
Since Celine got her project done by avoiding distractions, we can infer that we're looking for a verb that means something like "avoid." While "abdicate" may sound like a potentially correct answer because it means "give up," it is specifically used for monarchs and means "to renounce the throne," so it wouldn't work in our sentence's context. "Eschew," however, means "deliberately avoid using; abstain from," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #603 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt gave many explanatory speeches to the American public, hoping to __________ fears over the lengthening economic crisis.
exacerbate
propagate
allay
harmonize
undulate
allay
This question requires a small amount of critical thinking on your part. You likely will conclude that the President would be seeking to remove or help ameliorate the fears of the American people during a depression. This would lead you to the correct answer “allay,” which means to calm or relieve. "Exacerbate" is opposite in meaning and means make something greater or worse; "harmonize" means complement; "propagate" means to spread; and "undulate" means to roll and ripple.
Example Question #604 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Improved study habits helped to __________ the student's grade, for he did much better on the final three exams of the semester.
inculcate
validate
ameliorate
calculate
deliberate
ameliorate
The word "melior" in Latin means better. From this root, we get the word "ameliorate," which means to improve. You can think of it as meaning to make better. Thus, given that the student did much better on his exams, we can say that he ameliorated, or improved, his grade.
Example Question #605 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The lecture was meant to __________ a new series of talks that would occur once every year on the same day.
promulgate
conclude
regale
facilitate
inaugurate
inaugurate
Notice that the series of talks is called "new" in the sentence. Thus, the implication is that the lecture is the first in this new series. The "inauguration" is the beginning or introduction of some new activity. For instance, in the US, a president will give his or her "inaugural address" when he or she begins a term of the presidency. Among the options given here, "inaugurate" is the best, as it indicates such a beginning of the series of talks.
Example Question #606 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The children would not __________ their mother's repeated questions, for they knew that if they continued to answer them, she would continue to make more inquiries.
indulge
belie
query
withstand
aggravate
indulge
The word "indulge" is generally used with regard to things that are desired, especially pleasant things. Thus, we indulge our desire for sweets by eating candy and indulge our curiosity by asking questions about our interests. Someone who is "indulgent" always fills his or her desires. The word can mean more generally to fulfill a desire, whatever it might be. Here, the children are not indulging their mother's questions. She clearly desires to ask them—for if they answer, she will ask even more.
Example Question #607 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The work did not __________ the praise that it had received. The author’s style was extremely simplistic, and his research was lacking in many ways.
recognize
merit
efface
encourage
denigrate
merit
From what is said in the second sentence, we can infer that the work in question did not deserve the praise that it apparently did receive. The word "merit" can be used either as a noun or as a verb. As a noun, it indicates a praiseworthy quality. Thus, we can talk about the "merits" of a given proposal. As a verb, it means "deserving of praise." Hence, this is the correct answer.
Example Question #608 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The extent of the damage caused by the accident was difficult to __________, for although the cars experienced little visible damage, it was quite possible that their engines were significantly damaged by the wreck.
insure
connive
ridicule
lament
assess
assess
The general point of the sentence is that the damage to the cars was not certain based on the external damage. Thus, it was difficult for those looking into it to take full stock of the damage caused. This means that it was difficult for them to judge or estimate such damage. To "assess" something is to make [such] an estimation.
Example Question #609 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After keeping his plan secret for many months, Gregory decided that it was best to __________ to his family his intention to move to Australia.
assert
declare
retell
defend
recount
declare
Although you might think that Gregory would have to assert or defend his desire to move to Australia, all that we know from the sentence is that he kept these plans secret. This means that he has not yet told anyone. A change in this situation would require him to tell them. That is all that you can infer from the sentence. Thus, the best option is simply, "Declare."
Example Question #610 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
John did not know how to __________ the volume of his voice. Without any warning or self-awareness, he would begin shouting, only soon thereafter to whisper so softly that nobody could hear him.
regulate
muffle
amplify
verify
seduce
regulate
The implication of this sentence is that John did not know how to measure his voice volume. He could be obnoxiously loud as well as overly soft—all without warning or even noticing it himself. The word "regulate" comes from the Latin "regula," meaning rule or ruler. Thus, "regulations" in general are measures or rules.
Example Question #611 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
During the large snowstorm, it had become necessary to __________ the scarce resources of water and food so as to guarantee that the family would not exhaust their limited supplies.
concede
bury
suppress
husband
conceal
husband
Given that there were limited supplies, the family had to avoid using them up. When a person is "exhausted," it is like he or she has used up his or her energy; however, the word can be used more generally to indicate the emptying or using up of something.
The family thus had to conserve their resources. To "husband" things is to do this. This kind of care is also called "husbandry," though you might know "husbandry" as indicating the specific kind of farm care done for plants and animals. "Husband" is the only option that indicates such activity of carefully conserving goods.
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