ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions: Parts of Speech

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The press are trying to reach the __________ author, but he does not want to speak to anyone.

Possible Answers:

hospitable

tenacious

reclusive

inept

lenient

Correct answer:

reclusive

Explanation:

If people are trying to reach the man, but he does not want to speak to anyone, he could reasonably be described as "reclusive," which means solitary, disliking the company of others. Additionally, "tenacious" means hard working, determined; "lenient" means not strict, tolerant; "hospitable" means welcoming; "inept" means not capable, not skilled at.

Example Question #252 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The heart is a(n) __________ part of the human body.

Possible Answers:

sacreligious

indispensable

inert

alien

lucrative

Correct answer:

indispensable

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these words best describes the function or importance of the heart to the human body. The correct answer is "indispensable," which means vital, needed, a part that is needed to make the whole function. Additionally, "inert" means motionless; "lucrative" means profitable; "alien" means foreign, unfamiliar; "sacreligious" means speaking out against God, offending religion.

Example Question #253 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The __________ lake contains many mysteries.

Possible Answers:

elusive

current

stationary

trivial

opaque

Correct answer:

opaque

Explanation:

Which of these answer choices might most likely make a lake seem mysterious? The correct answer is "opaque" which means not transparent, not allowing light to pass through. People would not be able to see below the surface of an "opaque" lake, possibly making it mysterious. Additionally, "stationary" means not moving, in one place; "trivial" means insignificant, unimportant; "elusive" means hard to capture; "current" means happening now, contemporary.

Example Question #254 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The part was not __________ with the whole and had to be sent back.

Possible Answers:

marred

arduous

legendary

compatible

chronic

Correct answer:

compatible

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these adjectives describes why a part might be sent back. If the part did not fit with the whole then this would fit logically, so the correct answer is "incompatible." "Incompatible" means (of two things or people) completely opposed, unable to fit together. Additionally, "marred" means spoiled, ruined; "chronic" means (of pain) constant; "legendary" means treated as a legend, awe-inspiring; "arduous" means hard work, difficult to accomplish.

Example Question #255 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The highway was __________ and they were late for the airport.

Possible Answers:

congested

bleak

spasmodic

flamboyant

adjacent

Correct answer:

congested

Explanation:

Being stuck in traffic would likely make one late for the airport, so to solve this problem you need to determine which of these words relates to being stuck in traffic. The correct answer is "congested," which means blocked up making it hard for things to move. Additionally, "bleak" means dull, dreary or hopeless; "adjacent" means next to; "spasmodic" means occurring intermittently, happening in brief and irregular moments; "flamboyant" means having a colorful and vibrant style.

Example Question #256 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

It is __________ to wear a costume and collect candy on Halloween.

Possible Answers:

abstract

customary

oblique

serene

stagnant

Correct answer:

customary

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means something like traditional, what is commonly done in a society. So, the correct answer is "customary." Additionally, "serene" means calm and peaceful; "oblique" means slanting; "abstract" means theoretical, based on an idea rather than reality; "stagnant" means not moving, not growing.

Example Question #257 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

My younger brother is almost __________ and needs help reading and writing.

Possible Answers:

ebullient

illiterate

intractable

morose

distraught

Correct answer:

illiterate

Explanation:

If the speaker's brother cannot read or write he could be described as "illiterate." "Literate" means capable of reading and writing. Additionally, "morose" means very sad and serious; "intractable" means stubborn, refusing to change one's mind; "distraught" means devastated by, very upset by; ebullient" means very enthusiastic.

Example Question #258 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The teachers struggled to manage the __________ student.

Possible Answers:

poised

incorrigible

attentive

aghast

maligned

Correct answer:

incorrigible

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that relates to someone being hard to control. So, the correct answer is "incorrigible." Additionally, maligned" means much criticized; "aghast" means shocked and horrified; "attentive" means thoughtful and caring; "poised" means calm and under control in a stressful situation.

Example Question #259 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The girl was enthralled by his __________ appearance.

Possible Answers:

unintelligible

rakish

enterprising

sage

condescending

Correct answer:

rakish

Explanation:

To begin with "enthralled" means deeply interested in and attracted to. So, based on the context of this sentence the correct answer is an adjective that describes an attractive characteristic. The correct answer is therefore "rakish," which means charming, dashing, cavalier, attractive but seemingly reckless. Additionally, "enterprising" means hard-working and innovative, able to come up with new ideas to old problems; "condescending" means arrogant, someone who talks down to other people; "sage" means wise; "unintelligible" means incapable of being heard, unable to be understood.

Example Question #260 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

His __________ plan proved too complicated and failed quite spectacularly.

Possible Answers:

instantaneous

embedded

voluminous

elaborate

acrimonious

Correct answer:

elaborate

Explanation:

You are told that this plan is too complicated, so it could reliably be described as "elaborate," which means complex, complicated, involving many steps. Additionally, "voluminous" means large, filling a large space; "embedded" means stuck in, fixed in; "instantaneous" means happening in an instant, occurring in a single moment; "acrimonious" means (of feeling or argument) bitter and long lasting.

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