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 #762 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

Eventually the board had to __________ to the demands of the protestors.

Possible Answers:

acquiesce

ransack

entice

devastate

acclaim

Correct answer:

acquiesce

Explanation:

Which of these verbs describes something a group might do in response to the protests of another group? The correct answer is "acquiesce" which means give in to the demands of, accept the conditions of. Additionally, "acclaim" means widely praise; "devastate" means completely destroy; "entice" means tempt, lure and trap; "ransack" means search wildly, destroy in a chaotic manner.

Example Question #763 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The ship was __________ in the secluded harbor.

Possible Answers:

anchored

confounded

squandered

admonished

venerated

Correct answer:

anchored

Explanation:

To begin with "secluded" means private, away from others, protected. So, which of these is a verb that describes fixing a boat in one place? The correct answer is "anchored." To "anchor" means to fix in place. Additionally, "squander" means waste; "venerate" means deeply respect; "admonish" means scold, punish, yell at; "confound" means confuse, bewilder.

Example Question #764 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The two officials __________ briefly before making a joint decision.

Possible Answers:

infused

proliferated

dissuaded

conferred

quelled

Correct answer:

conferred

Explanation:

The officials made a "joint" decision, so they must have talked about a decision together or "conferred." To "confer" either means to give a distinction to or to discuss opinions about. Additionally, "infuse" means inject with, fill with, put into; "dissuade" means convince someone to change their mind; "quell" means subdue, bring to an end, put down; "proliferate" means spread wildly.

Example Question #765 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

She has had to __________ several challenges to achieve success.

Possible Answers:

dismount

surmount

pilfer

heed

bellow

Correct answer:

surmount

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must be a verb that relates to overcoming difficulties, getting past obstacles. The correct answer is therefore "surmount." To "surmount" means to overcome something challenging in order to achieve something. Additionally, "heed" means pay attention to, listen to a warning; "bellow" means shout, yell; "dismount" means get down from; "pilfer" means steal.

Example Question #766 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The rural boys were __________ by the wholesome food they were given and grew up to be robust and muscular.

Possible Answers:

vegetated

nourished

squandered

stifled

endorsed

Correct answer:

nourished

Explanation:

The verb used in this sentence must relate to the beneficial effects of eating healthy food. The correct answer is therefore "nourished." To "nourish" is to provide energy, in the form of food. Additionally, "squander" means waste; "endorse" means publicly support; "vegetate" means live a dull, lazy life; "stifle" means hold back, prevent from doing.

Example Question #771 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He __________ his statement to highlight a certain point.

Possible Answers:

atoned

accented

anchored

alluded

adorned

Correct answer:

accented

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must mean something like highlighted, added emphasis to. So, the correct answer is "accented." To "accent" means to say something in a different tone so as to make the point stand out. Additionally, "adorn" means decorate; "allude" means imply, insinuate, hint at; "anchor" means fix in place, keep something steady; "atone" means seek forgiveness for, make amends for.

Example Question #772 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He is in so much pain and it is impossible to __________ his suffering.

Possible Answers:

bluff

lure

ameliorate

carp

herd

Correct answer:

ameliorate

Explanation:

If the subject is in a lot of pain it makes sense that it would be impossible to relieve, soothe, make better, calm his suffering. So, the correct answer is "ameliorate" which means relieve, lessen the intensity of. Additionally, "herd" means gather, or force, together; "carp" means complain at length about; "bluff" means tell a lie using false confidence; "lure" means attract, tempt.

Example Question #773 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He was able to __________ the process and finish the project two days early.

Possible Answers:

slander

rue

warble

hypnotize

expedite

Correct answer:

expedite

Explanation:

As the man was able to get the project finished early it makes sense to say that he was able to "expedite" the process. To "expedite" means to do something to help the progress of something that makes it quicker, to accelerate the progress of something. Additionally, "rue" means regret; "warble" means sing; "hypnotize" means put to sleep; "slander" means speak out against in a way that is attacking and possibly untrue.

Example Question #774 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

The ceremony was __________ by the antisocial behavior of some of the guests.

Possible Answers:

bustled

germinated

marred

amassed

impaled

Correct answer:

marred

Explanation:

The antisocial behavior of some guests would be likely to spoil, ruin a ceremony, so the correct answer is "marred." Additionally, "impaled" means stabbed; to "bustle" means to move about in a hurried but organized fashion; "amass" means gather, collect; "germinate" means plant and grow.

Example Question #775 : Sentence Completions: Parts Of Speech

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

He used an eraser to __________ the words he had written.

Possible Answers:

commandeer

efface

masticate

defray

abdicate

Correct answer:

efface

Explanation:

As an eraser is being used to do something you can reasonably infer that the correct answer is a verb that means to erase. The correct answer is therefore "efface." Additionally, "abdicate" means renounce control, give up power; "masticate" means chew; "defray" means pay for; "commandeer" means take control of (a vehicle).

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