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 #416 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She was a kind, compassionate lady who felt great __________ for those who were suffering.

Possible Answers:

fervor

empathy

derision

nostalgia

excitement

Correct answer:

empathy

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, you can assume that the blank word must relate to the compassionate nature of the subject. "Empathy” is the ability to share the feelings of others and best captures the likely attitude of a compassionate person. To provide further help, “derision” means mocking cruelly; “nostalgia” is a feeling of fondness for the past; “fervor” means passion

Example Question #417 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

After the political uprising, the government was overthrown and there was __________ throughout the country.

Possible Answers:

patriarchy

communism

democracy

oligarchy

anarchy

Correct answer:

anarchy

Explanation:

A political state without a government and embracing chaos is called an “anarchy.” To provide further help, “communism” is an economic system where labor, production, and resources are pooled and shared equally; “democracy” is a political system where each individual is able to vote for representatives in government; “oligarchy” is rule by a select, wealthy few; “patriarchy” is a social system where men dominate over women.

Example Question #418 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The friendly __________ of the new girl made her fit in well at her new school and she quickly made friends.

Possible Answers:

demeanor

aura

signals

conduct

symbols

Correct answer:

demeanor

Explanation:

The girl seems to have a friendly appearance and the closest word in meaning to appearance is "demeanor" or exterior expression. "Conduct" refers to behavior; an "aura" is an atmosphere; and "signals" and "symbols" are signs of some degree.

Example Question #419 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ from middle school to high school is indicated by a physical shift from one building to another.

Possible Answers:

development

mobility

transition

adaptation

stagnation

Correct answer:

transition

Explanation:

The physical shift as seen going from middle to high school shows a change or "transition." "Mobility" is movement; "adaptations" are mechanisms used to fit in; "development" is evolution; and "stagnation" is staying the same.

Example Question #420 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The __________ of the mountains from the airplane made them seem small and insignificant, even though they were enormous when seen on land.

Possible Answers:

disclosure

stance

perspective

visibility

interpretation

Correct answer:

perspective

Explanation:

The best word choice is one that indicates the viewpoint from the plane differed from that on land; therefore, the best answer choice is "perspective." The other answer choices mean the following: "visibility" is the ability to be seen; "stance" is a stand taken on an issue; "interpretation" is a translation of something; and "disclosure" is revealing a truth or secret.

Example Question #421 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

A(n) __________ is used to measure the height of something.

Possible Answers:

thermometer

hot-air balloon

fathometer

satellite

altimeter

Correct answer:

altimeter

Explanation:

The prefix alt- means related to height so something that is used to measure height is called an “altimeter.” To provide further help, a “fathometer” measures depth underwater; “thermometer” measures temperature; a “satellite” orbits around a larger body.

Example Question #422 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

In France __________ with a guillotine were not stopped until the 1970s.

Possible Answers:

berating

accusations

reincarnations

processions

decapitations

Correct answer:

decapitations

Explanation:

A “guillotine” is a device used to execute people by chopping off their heads. Another word for chopping off someone’s head is “decapitation.” To provide further help, “processions” are parades; “reincarnations” are things that have died and been reborn as something else; “berating” means yelling at; an “accusation” is a statement that someone did something wrong

Example Question #423 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The canyon's walls were slowly receding from the river due to __________ caused by wind and rain.

Possible Answers:

misuse

erosion

hinderances

fatigue

precipitation

Correct answer:

erosion

Explanation:

The wearing away of rock by natural forces is known as "erosion," so this is the correct answer. The incorrect answer choices mean the following: "hinderances" means things which prevent something from progressing or succeeding; "misuse" means the incorrect use of something; "precipitation" means weather events that involve water falling from the sky such as rain, sleet, and hail; and "fatigue" means extreme tiredness.

Example Question #424 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The experienced writer wanted to receive feedback as if she were unknown, so she decided to write under a __________.

Possible Answers:

synonym

pendulum

pseudonym

antonym

bibliophile

Correct answer:

pseudonym

Explanation:

The information in the sentence suggests that the writer would want her name not to be recognized so that she could receive unbiased feedback. This is called writing under a “pseudonym” or writing under a false name. The prefix "pseudo-" means fake, false and the suffix "-nym" means related to names. To provide further help, a “synonym” is a word that has the same meaning as another word; an “antonym” is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word; a “pendulum” is something that swings back and forth, something that changes between two positions; a “bibliophile” is someone who loves books

Example Question #425 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The receptionist informed them that the hotel currently had no __________, but they were expecting several rooms to be available the following day.

Possible Answers:

celebrations

administrations

vacancies

remonstrations

animosities

Correct answer:

vacancies

Explanation:

The sentence implies that there were no rooms available for the day. In other words, the hotel was full and had no "vacancies,” or openings. To provide further help, “animosities” are hostilities, fighting, bad-feeling; “administrations” are groups of people tasked with managment and organization; “remonstrations” are arguments or complaints

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