ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Sentence Completion

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Sentence Completion

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

Unlike her unruly brother who was always being punished by the school's principal, Lauren had a student record that was utterly __________.

Possible Answers:

scholastic

substantial

immaculate

balanced

sophisticated

Correct answer:

immaculate

Explanation:

The implication of this sentence is that Lauren's brother had a student record that reflected his many punishments. Her record is contrasted to this, as we can tell by the use of the word "unlike" at the beginning of the sentence. We sometimes speak of a record with nothing bad on it as being "clean." The word "immaculate" means without spot, blemish, or flaw. A somewhat familiar use of this word is found in the Catholic religion's holiday called, "The Immaculate Conception." It is so named because of their belief that Jesus's mother was born without sin—i.e. was "clean."

Example Question #72 : Sentence Completion

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

Although Hildegard was a very strict parent, her husband Willibrord was very __________ with his children, allowing them to eat fudge for dinner and play in the mud for hours without end.

Possible Answers:

merciful

lenient

compassionate

amazing

kind

Correct answer:

lenient

Explanation:

Pay attention to the use of the conjunction "although." This indicates that there is a contrast between Hildegard and Willibrord. In particular, the contrast is being made between her strictness and his attitude. The point is that he is much less "strict," and the only word that primarily indicates such a "looser" attitude is "lenient," which can mean permissive. Clearly, he permits his children to do a number of things that Hildegard would not likely allow.

Example Question #73 : Sentence Completion

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

Although the punishment had seemed quite mild, it was __________ for Cajetan who had an irrational fear of baking bread. 

Possible Answers:

distasteful

unkind

tormenting

irritating

laconic

Correct answer:

tormenting

Explanation:

Two things must be noted in order to get this question correct. First, note the use of the conjunction "although." This means that there will be a contrast between the apparent mildness of the punishment and Cajetan's response. Secondly, note that he has an irrational fear of baking bread (which must be somehow related to the punishment). Only the word "tormenting" expresses what must have been a very strong emotional reaction on the part of Cajetan. 

Example Question #74 : Sentence Completion

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

Although Dunstan did not have a(n) __________ talent for learning languages, with much devoted work, he developed his skills to such a degree that he was an expert in numerous ancient languages.

Possible Answers:

thorough

regular

innate

noted

enormous

Correct answer:

innate

Explanation:

Note carefully the contrast implied in the sentence. Dunstan's talent is compared to the "devoted work" that he undertook. He eventually because quite talented in "ancient languages." Thus, he did not lack the capacity to develop these skills to a high degree, but he had to work hard at becoming accomplished at them. Thus, he did not have a natural or inborn skill at them. This is exactly what is meant by the adjective "innate." Something that is innate is literally inborn. The "-nate" portion of the word comes from the same roots not only as "natural" but also "nativity" and "native." They come from the Latin for birth.

Example Question #75 : Sentence Completion

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

Although exhaustion is most often associated with physical exertion, emotional stress can also cause great __________ in those experiencing it for extended periods of time.

Possible Answers:

frustration

discontent

illness

weariness

confusion

Correct answer:

weariness

Explanation:

The only clue that you have in this sentence is the use of the word "exhaustion" in the introductory clause. The general idea being asserted is that while "exhaustion" is generally associated with physical work, emotional stress can also cause great tiredness (exhaustion) as well. The only option that expresses the idea of being tired is "weariness," so this word is the correct answer.

Example Question #76 : Sentence Completion

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

He was far too __________ for his own good and people often took advantage of him. 

Possible Answers:

pessimistic 

credulous 

scornful 

frosty 

optimistic 

Correct answer:

credulous 

Explanation:

To solve this sentence you are looking for the answer choice that best describes a characteristic that would make it easy for people to take advantage of someone. Someone who is "frosty" is cold and unfeeling so this does not make sense. Neither does "scornful" which means feeling derision, mocking; "pessimistic" means feeling that bad things will happen; whereas "optimistic" means feeling that good things will happen. None of these answer choices really makes sense, so the correct answer must be "credulous" which means naive, too easily tricked into believing things

Example Question #77 : Sentence Completion

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

She was well into her ninety-first year before she stopped running every morning; she had always been a __________ woman. 

Possible Answers:

gaunt 

inflexible 

robust 

desirable 

antiquated 

Correct answer:

robust 

Explanation:

An old woman who is still running every day at ninety is in remarkably good health. Someone who is very healthy can be said to be "robust." To provide further help, "antiquated" means ancient, outdated; "inflexible" means not flexible; "desirable" means wanted; "gaunt" means very skinny, like a skeleton

Example Question #78 : Sentence Completion

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

The lifeguard rushed into the waves and dragged the women onto the shore, after several minutes he was able to __________ her.

Possible Answers:

resuscitate 

obliterate 

undulate 

obdurate 

mediate 

Correct answer:

resuscitate 

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence you can reasonably infer that the lifeguard was able to "revive" the woman after rescuing her from the water. To bring someone back to life by helping them to breath again is to "resuscitate." To provide further help, "undulate" means wave; "obdurate" means stubborn; "obliterate" means destroy; "mediate" means act as a moderator in an argument

Example Question #79 : Sentence Completion

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

She committed __________ when she lied before the courtroom. 

Possible Answers:

perjury 

heresey 

suicide 

altruism 

deviancy 

Correct answer:

perjury 

Explanation:

The act of lying under oath or in court is known as "perjury." To provide further help, "heresey" is an act against the faith; "deviancy" is antisocial behavior or immorality; "altruism" is selflessness, charity. Since the meaning here is specifically confined to "the courtroom," "perjury is by far the most precise answer.

Example Question #80 : Sentence Completion

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

By providing the criminal with a place to hide from the police the young family became __________ in his crimes. 

Possible Answers:

complicit 

deleterious 

implicit 

outlandish 

blameless

Correct answer:

complicit 

Explanation:

To be "complicit" means to be involved with, to be involved with the crimes of someone else through association. When the family in this sentence provided shelter to the criminal they helped him hide from the police and thus became "complicit" in his crimes. To provide further help, "implicit" means implied, suggested; "deleterious" means harmful; "blameless" means not responsible for; "outlandish" means luxurious and ridiculous.

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