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 #174 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Clara's mother was getting quite __________; she was running around the house trying to find where she had left her car keys and they were very late for school.

Possible Answers:

terrified

frantic

humble

content

thoughtful

Correct answer:

frantic

Explanation:

The children are late for school and their mother can't find her car keys, so it makes sense that the mother would be feeling anxious. This should lead you to the correct answer, which is “frantic.” The word “content” means happy with things as they are; someone who is “thoughtful” is kind and thinks about other people; and “humble” means not boastful about your skills.

Example Question #175 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Eleanor was feeling very aggressive and __________ on the soccer field; she would do whatever it took for her team to score.

Possible Answers:

alive

competitive 

happy

fast

assertive

Correct answer:

competitive 

Explanation:

In this sentence, we know that Eleanor wants her soccer team to score a goal, and that she feels something similar to "aggressive," which precedes the conjunction "and." Therefore, the correct answer will be similar to "aggressive." Here, the most similar word to "aggressive" is "competitive," which is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #687 : Sentence Completions

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

While most chefs make the soup with one tablespoon of salt, Jose made his soup with three tablespoons of salt because he wanted a more __________ taste of salt.

Possible Answers:

intense

complex

useful 

big

delicious

Correct answer:

intense

Explanation:

In this sentence, increasing the salt of the soup will increase how salty its taste is. As a result, the increased salt will make that salty taste more "intense." "Intense" means to be very strong or overt in a particular quality. Therefore, "intense" is the correct answer.

Example Question #688 : Sentence Completions

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

One of my favorite things about Lauren is that she always arrives right on time for her meetings; she is very __________

Possible Answers:

polite

helpful

coordinated

proper

punctual 

Correct answer:

punctual 

Explanation:

"Punctual" means always on time. Given that the sentence describes Lauren as always arriving at the appropriate time for her meetings, "punctual" is the best word that can be used to complete this sentence, given the answer choices.

Example Question #176 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Quasimodo is a character who is very __________, as he has a deformed face, a hunch in his back, and an ugly eye.

Possible Answers:

grotesque

unimportant

miserable

skilled

unlucky

Correct answer:

grotesque

Explanation:

Quasimodo is described as having a deformed face, an ugly eye, and a hunch in his back. These descriptors indicate that he is extremely unattractive. The blank in the sentence should be a word that conveys this information. "Grotesque" means very ugly in appearance. Therefore, it is the best word that can be used to complete the sentence.

Example Question #177 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Many students feel __________ by the professor because he likes to show off his knowledge and often corrects his pupils in ways that make them feel small and insignificant.

Possible Answers:

destroyed

disgruntled

intimidated

shrunk

empowered

Correct answer:

intimidated

Explanation:

When someone is made to feel afraid of another person because of that person's power, the best word descriptor is "intimidated." Given that the students feel afraid of the professor's knowledge (and his tendency to use that knowledge to correct them in ways that make them feel insignificant), "intimidated" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #178 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Whenever I try to have a conversation with Greg, he acts very __________ and distant, often seeming completely uninterested in whatever I have to say.

Possible Answers:

laughable

intrigued

aloof

hesitant

exotic

Correct answer:

aloof

Explanation:

When someone acts uninterested in another person and appears distant, they are acting in a way that is "aloof." This word means not caring about what another person says in a way that is somewhat rude. Given the definition of "aloof" and the context of this sentence, it is the best answer.

Example Question #181 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Gina is very _________ about doing her homework; she always sticks to a set schedule and gets everything done on time.

Possible Answers:

helpful

wise

happy

smart

disciplined

Correct answer:

disciplined

Explanation:

This sentence explains that Gina, in completing her homework, "always sticks to a set schedule." This means that she is very diligent about her work and trains herself to act in a certain way. The best word to describe this is "disciplined," meaning focused and self-motivated. Therefore, "disciplined" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #182 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Much like her incredibly refined mother, Isabel is very __________, always maintaining a ladylike composure.

Possible Answers:

classy

outgoing

mature

gruff

arduous

Correct answer:

classy

Explanation:

Here, the sentence provides a hint as to what the blank is by indicating that Isabel is very much like her mother, and revealing that her mother is "extremely refined." Another word for "refined" is "classy." Given that the blank should be filled with a word very similar in meaning to "refined," the word "classy" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #183 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The band played __________, perfectly in sync with one another and producing a heavenly melody.

Possible Answers:

uniquely

fervently

harmoniously

randomly

joyfully

Correct answer:

harmoniously

Explanation:

Given that the sentence states that the band played in perfect sync with one another, it is indicating that the musicians played in a manner such that their music was in cadence and agreement. "Harmonious" means to be in agreement, without clashing. It is therefore the correct answer.

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