ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #406 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

In the midst of math class, Sarah's mind wandered, but when the student in front of her dropped the stapler he was using, she snapped out of her __________.

Possible Answers:

reverie

anecdote

saga

prologue

soliloquy

Correct answer:

reverie

Explanation:

Since Sarah's mind wandered, it means that she was in a dreamlike state or "reverie." The other choices don't fit nearly as well: a "prologue" is an introduction; a "saga" is an epic story; an "anecdote" is a short story told casually, often in the middle of a larger work; and a "soliloquy" is a monologue in a play during which a character addresses the audience directly without other characters being aware of what he or she is saying.

Example Question #407 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

The __________ chose to concentrate on the positive aspects of every situation.

Possible Answers:

inventor

optimist

tyrant

pessimist

pacifist

Correct answer:

optimist

Explanation:

Since the sentence mentions positivity, it indicates that the person it is referring to is most likely a person who sees everything from a hopeful or happy perspective, also known as an "optimist." None of the other answer choices make sense in the blank: a "pacifist" is someone who refuses to fight and believes there is no good reason to do so; a "pessimist" is someone who sees everything in a negative way; an "inventor" is someone who designs and builds inventions, and a "tyrant" is a domineering leader.

Example Question #408 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

After years of emotional and personal __________, Sally’s life finally regained some peace and calm.

Possible Answers:

elimination

turmoil

disgust

brazenness

shock

Correct answer:

turmoil

Explanation:

The sentence implies a contrast by saying that Sally's life "regained" peace and calm. The implication is that, for a while at least, it did not have such peace. When someone's life is in a state of "turmoil," it is greatly disturbed. Often, you will hear this used in a phrase like "political turmoil," describing upheavals that occur in a country that is experiencing uprisings and protests.

Example Question #409 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

After many days of dry weather, the city received enough __________ to fill the reservoirs for a week.

Possible Answers:

precipitation

gushes

clouds

hail

downpours

Correct answer:

precipitation

Explanation:

For this sentence, you need to be careful that you are not tempted to answer with something that is far too specific based on the provided data. A "reservoir" is some sort of lake or large containment area used for holding water. All that we can tell is that the city finally received some sort of liquid after the period of dry days. Thus, the best answer is the very general term "precipitation," which indicates some sort of liquid that falls to the ground from the clouds. (More generally, "precipitation" is anything that "falls" out of a solution. In chemistry class, you may have seen this phenomenon, when several chemicals are added to make a single "precipitate" appear as a solid in a solution after a reaction. We most frequently use the term to describe when water "falls" from the "solution" that is the air.)

Example Question #410 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

In the science experiment, a __________ was used to measure the pressure in the atmosphere and the results were used to predict atmospheric changes and weather patterns.

Possible Answers:

fathometer

speedometer

barometer

odometer

wattmeter

Correct answer:

barometer

Explanation:

The sentence tells us that whatever instrument is being used measures pressure in the atmosphere. This means the correct answer is a “barometer.” The suffix "-meter" means measurement, so a “fathometer” is used to measure depth; an “odometer” measures distance travelled; a “speedometer” measures speed; a “wattmeter” measures electrical power

Example Question #411 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

There are always going to be __________ to overcome in life; the key is to never give up.

Possible Answers:

managers

obstacles

parity

jubilations

ceremonies

Correct answer:

obstacles

Explanation:

The author tells us that there will always be things to overcome in life and it is important not to give up. The best answer choice is “obstacles,” which are things that need to be overcome, things that get in the way. To provide further help, “parity” means equality; “ceremonies” are formal meetings done for purposes of tradition or ceremony; “jubilations” are happy celebrations.

Example Question #412 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.

The diversity of the United States stems from people with different ethnicities and __________ or beliefs.

Possible Answers:

views

personalities

creeds

characters

backgrounds

Correct answer:

creeds

Explanation:

This sentence indicates that the diversity in the United States is partly due to peoples' beliefs or "creeds." "Creeds"are ethical codes and are what the sentence is referring to in terms of diversity. The other word choices do not mean the same thing and/or don't refer to the same sort of diversity.

Example Question #413 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.

The __________ at the movie theater was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and was a gathering of all of Jessica's close friends.

Possible Answers:

rendezvous

council

assembly

function

conference

Correct answer:

rendezvous

Explanation:

This sentence suggests an informal meeting or "rendezvous" was arranged between Jessica and her friends. A "council" is a panel of people; an "assembly" is a formal grouping of people; a "conference" is a formal meeting; and a "function" is synonymous with "conference."

Example Question #414 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.

The rock overhang was a safe __________ from the pouring rain that soaked everyone in its path.

Possible Answers:

reservation

harbor

precipice

protrusion

haven

Correct answer:

haven

Explanation:

The rock overhang served as shelter from the pouring rain, and therefore it acted as a "haven." The other answer choices mean the following: a "protrusion" is an outgrowth; a "precipice" is a ledge; and a "reservation" is an area of land managed by a certain group of people or a tribe.

Example Question #415 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence. 

Before I decide whether to dress for a hot or cold day each morning, I always read the temperature from the __________ outside my house. 

Possible Answers:

chronometer

fathometer

thermometer

barometer

altimeter

Correct answer:

thermometer

Explanation:

The sentence suggests that the object in question is an instrument used to measure temperatures. This means that the correct answer is “thermometer.” The suffix "-meter" is used in English to refer to something that measures things. So a “barometer” is an instrument that measures pressure; an “altimeter” is an instrument that measures height or altitude; a “chronometer” is an instrument that measures time; a “fathometer” is an instrument that measures depth

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