ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Word-Based Sentence Completions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #271 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Just seeing a piece of cake can be a great __________, making someone want to eat it immediately, just because it is sitting there.

Possible Answers:

enjoyment

destruction

pleasure

diet

temptation

Correct answer:

temptation

Explanation:

The sentence is stating that a cake can lure someone into eating just because it is sitting in a visible location. This means that it is tempting. When something is a temptation, it creates a situation that encourages us to do something. Therefore, the smell of a pie could be a temptation to steal the pie. Likewise, the simple fact that a TV is on can be a temptation to sit and watch for hours. 

Example Question #272 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The two people signed a(n) __________ stating that coconuts would be worth five pecans when they traded them.

Possible Answers:

law

corporation

partnership

legality

contract

Correct answer:

contract

Explanation:

Be careful! These people are not forming a business partnership, nor are they legislating a law—at least from what we can tell looking at the details. They are, however, making an agreement. A contract is the kind of agreement that two (or more) people make, explicitly stating the terms of their relationship regarding a particular matter. Here, the two people are agreeing on how they will trade coconuts and pecans.

Example Question #273 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After living with Ronald for ten years, Laura knew that when he had a red face that this was a(n) __________ that he was very angry.

Possible Answers:

irritant

indication

pleasantry

regularity

medication

Correct answer:

indication

Explanation:

This sentence hints that Laura knew that a red face was a sign of Ronald's anger. When something is an indication, it is a sign of something. For example, you could say, "The smell of smoke is an indication that something is burning," or, "Laughter is often an indication of joy."

Example Question #274 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

After hours of searching, Henry finally figured out where he made a(n) __________ in his computation. He then fixed the mistake and went back to his other work.

Possible Answers:

trick

foolishness

surprise

error

legality

Correct answer:

error

Explanation:

For this sentence, you are simply looking for a synonym for "mistake." The word "error" is a very good synonym and is sufficient for answering this correctly.

Example Question #275 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The tortoise had lived in its particular __________ for almost three decades, but the new construction drove it out of its home into an area that was less suitable for it to sustain its life.

Possible Answers:

pond

zoo

preserve

habitat

lake

Correct answer:

habitat

Explanation:

All that we know is that the tortoise is going to a less suitable location for living. This implies that it had been living in a place that was more natural to it. The "habitat" is the natural place for something to live. This is the best synonym, as it is neither too specific (like "pond" or "lake") nor too artificial (like "zoo" or "preserve").

Example Question #276 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Any war is a(n) __________, for everyone should find so much death and destruction to be an unfortunate and saddening event.

Possible Answers:

intrigue

legality

tragedy

solution

dedication

Correct answer:

tragedy

Explanation:

A "tragedy" is something that causes sorrow and sadness. We say that an event is "tragic" when it is the unfortunate cause of bad (and saddening) consequences. This is the idea that is being expressed in this question. The noun "tragedy" is the best choice.

Example Question #277 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Some people thought that Wulfgang was a ____________, ruling over the people with a cruel and merciless will.

Possible Answers:

tyrant

prince

criminal

noble

monarch

Correct answer:

tyrant

Explanation:

Apparently Wulfgang was a rather horrible leader of the people. Now, the best option will be a word that describes such a leader. This is more than being a criminal, which is really too general of a term. (Also, we rarely use the word criminal to describe a kind of leader. It usually applies to individual citizens.) A tyrant is someone who rules cruelly, often for his or her own advantage. This is the only option that expresses both ruling and doing so in a bad and cruel manner.

Example Question #278 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Some people will not accept any testimony from others to prove a fact. Instead, such people want ___________ that immediately shows him or her that the fact is true.

Possible Answers:

inquiries

pictures

reflections

experience

witnesses

Correct answer:

experience

Explanation:

The point of this sentence is that some people want to directly experience things for themselves instead of just finding out about them from others. You might, however, be tricked to think that "pictures" is a fine answer. It is said that some people don't want to receive testimony from others. This could imply that they just don't want to "hear" about it, though pictures would be fine. The general point. however, is that such people do not want any kind of indirect evidence. They want direct experience and nothing else.

Example Question #279 : Word Based Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank.

I cannot hear anything in this __________!

Possible Answers:

animosity

lukewarm

speech

din

glee

Correct answer:

din

Explanation:

The speaker is saying that he cannot hear anything so it makes sense that the correct answer must mean something like a loud and long-lasting noise. The correct answer is therefore "din." Additionally, "animosity" is dislike; "lukewarm" means neither hot nor cold, mild; "glee" means happiness.

Example Question #1 : Verbs

Which of the following words best completes the sentence below?

Since I did not __________ to the directions on the package, the recipe did not turn out as expected.

Possible Answers:

appeal

conserve

adhere

recount

collide

Correct answer:

adhere

Explanation:

"Adhere" is defined as to stick to, or follow the practices of. In the context of this sentence, not sticking to or following the practices of a recipe could result in the recipe not turning out as expected.

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