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 #281 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The dinner was __________, but not exceptional.

Possible Answers:

adequate

ultimate

abstract

terse

perennial

Correct answer:

adequate

Explanation:

To begin with "exceptional" means well above average, so good as to be unusual. So, based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that is not as intense as "exceptional" that could be used to describe someone enjoying a meal. The correct answer is "adequate," which means good enough. Additionally, "terse" means brief, to the point; "ultimate" means best, greatest; "perennial" means occurring at regular intervals for a long time; "abstract" means theoretical, existing as an idea rather than as reality.

Example Question #282 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The meeting was incredibly boring and seemed __________.

Possible Answers:

interminable

customary

militant

legendary

wanton

Correct answer:

interminable

Explanation:

If the meeting was very boring for the speaker then it makes sense that it might seem endless, boundless, never ending, or "interminable." Additionally, "legendary" means having the status of a legend, awe inspiring; "customary" means traditional, polite; "wanton" means random, reckless, and destructive; "militant" means passionate about a cause to the point of taking up violence.

Example Question #283 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The fossils of some __________ animals were found in a riverbed just south of here.

Possible Answers:

antediluvian

utter

comprehensive

adjacent

inclement

Correct answer:

antediluvian

Explanation:

Seeing as it takes many thousands of years for fossils to form the correct adjective here should relate to something from an era long ago. The correct answer is therefore "antediluvian" which means, literally, from a time before the biblical flood of Noah, but is generally used to mean from a distant era in the past. Additionally, "adjacent" means next to; "utter" means completely, totally; "comprehensive" means covering all areas; "inclement" means (of weather) severe.

Example Question #284 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The pain is __________ and she requires constant medical care.

Possible Answers:

elusive

chronic

palatable

elaborate

flamboyant

Correct answer:

chronic

Explanation:

If the subject of this sentence needs constant medical care it stands to reason that the pain she experiences might be (of pain or illness) long lasting or constantly recurring. So, the correct answer is "chronic." Additionally, "elusive" means hard to find, hard to catch; "palatable" means tasty, able to be eaten; "flamboyant" means (of a style) colorful and vibrant; "elaborate" means complex and complicated.

Example Question #285 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The situation went __________ when we missed our connecting flight.

Possible Answers:

torrid

awry

inert

arcane

embedded

Correct answer:

awry

Explanation:

The context of this sentence describes a plan gone wrong, a situation gone amiss. So, the correct answer is "awry" which means gone wrong, amiss, out of place. Additionally, "inert" means motionless; "embedded" means fixed within something; "arcane" means (of knowledge) ancient and privileged; "torrid" means (of weather) unbearably hot or (of a situation) terrible.

Example Question #286 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

My bag is hard to carry because it is __________ with books.

Possible Answers:

supple

instantaneous

aghast

laden

acrimonious

Correct answer:

laden

Explanation:

Based on the context you know that the correct answer means something like weighed down with, burdened with. So, the correct answer is "laden." Additionally, "instantaneous" means occurring in a single moment, happening in an instant; "supple" means bendy, flexible; "acrimonious" means bitter and resentful dispute; "aghast" means shocked, horrified and surprised.

Example Question #287 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

He was remarkably __________ and refused to partake in the delicious feast.

Possible Answers:

lenient

pompous

abstemious

robust

tactful

Correct answer:

abstemious

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence is demonstrating his self-disciplined lifestyle by refusing to join in the feast. He is not being self-indulgent, so he could best be described as "abstemious," which means to abstain from some desire. Additionally, "lenient" means not strict, tolerant; "pompous" means arrogant and self-obsessed; "robust" means strong and healthy; "tactful" means polite, knowing what not to say.

Example Question #288 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

There were __________ outbreaks of rain throughout the summer, until the last two months when it rained nonstop from dawn to dusk.

Possible Answers:

durable

congested

bleak

spasmodic

conspicuous

Correct answer:

spasmodic

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that could be used to describe the irregular, intermittent sporadic occurrences of rainfall. The correct answer is therefore "spasmodic," which means happening in short, irregular bursts. Additionally, "durable" means reliable, long lasting, not easily broken; "conspicuous" means easily noticeable; "congested" means blocked up, prevented from moving; "bleak" means (of weather) wet and cold and (of a situation) hopeless.

Example Question #289 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The family lived in the __________ house in spite of its many problems.

Possible Answers:

ramshackle

alien

lucrative

unscathed

indispensable

Correct answer:

ramshackle

Explanation:

The house is described as having many problems so it could probably be described using the adjective "ramshackle" which means (of a building) in a state of disrepair. Additionally, "unscathed" means uninjured, unhurt by; "lucrative" means profitable; "alien" means unfamiliar, foreign and exotic; "indispensable" means vital, essential, needed.

Example Question #290 : Sentence Completions: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The __________ little cottage fits in perfectly in the picturesque village.

Possible Answers:

concise

salient

marred

quaint

apocryphal

Correct answer:

quaint

Explanation:

If the cottage fits perfectly with the picturesque village then the cottage itself must have similar qualities. The correct answer is therefore "quaint," which means cute, attractive, and old-fashioned. Additionally, "apocryphal" means most likely untrue, of doubtful authenticity; "marred" means spoiled, ruined; "concise" means briefly stated, to the point; "salient" means most important, relevant.

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