ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #261 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

We are running short of time so we will focus only on the __________ facts.

Possible Answers:

chronic

comprehensive

salient

gleaming

adjacent

Correct answer:

salient

Explanation:

If the people in this sentence were running low on time then logically it would make sense for them to focus only on the most important and most relevant facts. The correct answer is therefore "salient," which means most important, relevant. Additionally, "adjacent" means next to; "comprehensive" means covering everything, totally inclusive; "chronic" means (of pain) intense and constant; "gleaming" means shining, polished.

Example Question #262 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The __________ rabbit took several hours to catch.

Possible Answers:

derelict

compatible

elusive

laden

inert

Correct answer:

elusive

Explanation:

The quality of the rabbit being discussed in this sentence is how difficult it is to capture, so the correct answer is "elusive," which means hard to find, hard to catch. Additionally, "compatible" means matching with, capable of fitting with; "derelict" means falling down, in bad condition; "laden" means weighed down with, burdened; "inert" means motionless.

Example Question #263 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The teacher was considered __________ and none of his students picked up on his mistake.

Possible Answers:

mutual

unflinching

distraught

opinionated

infallible

Correct answer:

infallible

Explanation:

If none of the students picked up on his mistake it makes sense that the professor was considered "infallible" or incapable of making mistakes, impeccable, never failing. Additionally, "mutual" means shared, felt equally; "unflinching" means not stopping, not pausing, constant; "distraught" means devastated, feeling miserable and hopeless; "opinionated" means having many opinions and not being afraid to express them.

Example Question #264 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

He looked back with __________ feeling through his old yearbooks.

Possible Answers:

sheepish

sullen

wistful

erratic

dissolute

Correct answer:

wistful

Explanation:

The correct answer to this sentence must relate to a feeling associated with looking back on the past. The correct answer is therefore "wistful," which means feeling regretful or missing the past. Additionally, "erratic" means inconsistent, unreliable; "sheepish" means shy and embarrassed; "dissolute" means having loose morals, depraved; "sullen" means moody, grumpy.

Example Question #265 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The __________ man quickly made his way to the top of his company.

Possible Answers:

predisposed

enterprising

obese

haggard

vain

Correct answer:

enterprising

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that relates to some characteristic that might make a man successful, or quick to rise in a business. The correct answer is therefore "enterprising," which means resourceful, hard working and innovative. Additionally, "predisposed" means previously inclined towards liking; "vain" means self-obsessed, obsessed with one's appearance; "haggard" means showing the physical effects of being exhausted and overworked; "obese" means overweight, very fat.

Example Question #266 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Fearing the potential consequences the inspectors were extremely __________ during their work.

Possible Answers:

specious

incorrigible

blithe

maligned

circumspect

Correct answer:

circumspect

Explanation:

If the inspectors feared the consequences then logically they would have been thoughtful, careful and cautious. So, the correct answer is "circumspect." Additionally, "blithe" means inappropriately cheerful and careless; "specious" means misleading, potentially genuine but actually false; "maligned" means criticized; "incorrigible" means not able to be controlled.

Example Question #267 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The weather looked __________ so they wrapped up warm and prepared for the worst.

Possible Answers:

unbridled

legendary

interminable

bleak

durable

Correct answer:

bleak

Explanation:

You can tell from context that the weather must be pretty bad, so the correct answer is "bleak," which means (of weather) cold and wet and (of a situation) hopeless. Additionally, "durable" means tough, reliable, long lasting; "unbridled" means not restrained, not held back; "interminable" means never ending; "legendary" means treated as legend, awe inspiring.

Example Question #268 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

In spite of terrible hardships the monks undertake the __________ journey twice a year.

Possible Answers:

trivial

oblique

arduous

customary

militant

Correct answer:

arduous

Explanation:

You know from context that the journey "undertaken" (this implies a challenge) by the monks is difficult and grueling, so the correct answer is "arduous," which means tough to accomplish, hard work, challenging. Additionally, "militant" means passionate about something to the point of being violent; "customary" means traditional, polite; "trivial" means insignificant, unimportant; "oblique" means slanting

Example Question #269 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

News of the atrocity left them feeling __________.

Possible Answers:

aghast

tenacious

destitute

genteel

meek

Correct answer:

aghast

Explanation:

An "atrocity" is a terrible act of violence or injustice committed against someone. News of a terrible and horrific thing would likely make a group of people feel "aghast," which means shocked and horrified. Additionally, "destitute" means poor, completely without possessions; "tenacious" means determined, hard working; "genteel" means polite; "meek" means lacking confidence, shy.

Example Question #270 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

They love entertaining their guests and pride themselves on being __________.

Possible Answers:

hospitable

pompous

illiterate

fickle

abject

Correct answer:

hospitable

Explanation:

People who love having guests would probably pride themselves on being welcoming or "hospitable." Additionally, "pompous" means arrogant and self-involved; "fickle" means inconsistent, changeable, unreliable; "abject" means miserable and hopeless; "illiterate" means unable to read or write.

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