ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #2171 : Sat Critical Reading
The __________ knitter predicted the fashion trend toward homemade goods and started an online store, making a lot of money selling the scarves, hats, and mittens that she made.
undiscerning
astute
portable
minute
wholesome
astute
For this sentence, we can infer that the knitter must have been pretty smart to "[predict] the fashion trend toward homemade goods." So, we need to pick out an adjective to describe the knitter that means something like "smart." "Undiscerning," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "undiscerning" means "lacking judgment, insight, or taste," making it the opposite of the word for which we're looking. "Astute," however, is an adjective that means "having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage," and because "astute" best describes the knitter's profitable assessment of the fashion trend, "astute" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1712 : Psat Critical Reading
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
It typically takes years of __________ practicing in order to become a virtuoso piano player.
astringent
austere
animated
anomalous
assiduous
assiduous
The choice that makes the most sense is assiduous: showing great care and perseverance; diligent.
Example Question #961 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ coach was thrown out of the game by the referee.
captious
contentious
arable
arcane
callous
contentious
The choice that makes the most sense is contentious: quarrelsome; causing or likely to cause an argument.
Example Question #962 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ leader’s shaky voice was a signal to the brave troops that they would be on their own for the remainder of the battle.
caustic
cloying
categorical
craven
cavalier
craven
The choice that makes the most sense is craven: contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly.
Example Question #963 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
You should be __________ of the perilous journey that lies ahead.
vicarious
vindictive
wry
wistful
wary
wary
The choice that makes the most sense is wary: feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
Example Question #964 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The inmate stopped the flattery and began to speak with a more __________ tone after he realized the guards would never be coaxed into releasing him.
valedictory
visceral
vituperative
venal
veritable
vituperative
The choice that makes the most sense is vituperative: bitter and abusive; scolding.
Example Question #965 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
Although I enjoyed your essay, it would be better if it were more concise and not as __________.
venial
venal
verbose
veritable
venerable
verbose
The choice that makes the most sense is verbose: using more words than are needed.
Example Question #966 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Pick the best word to complete the sentence.
Children of authoritarian parents are often anxious; they can become __________ easily.
antisocial
sensitive
difficult
stressed
underwhelmed
stressed
The clause that needs filling-in is simply a rephrasing of the first part of the setence—"stressed" is the closest synonym of anxious and therefore makes the most sense in the sentence.
Example Question #967 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Pick the best word to complete the sentence.
The young boy offered her his hand, grinning __________, since he knew it was still covered in mud.
famously
devilishly
awkwardly
mistakenly
playfully
devilishly
The subject of the sentence knows that he is going to cause someone displeasure, therefore he is being mischeivous—"devilish," when used in this context, means the same thing; therefore "devilishly" is the correct answer.
Example Question #161 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Fred's family only realized how __________ he was about failing the math quiz he had studied for when he shouted at the first person to ask him about it.
charismatic
famous
prepared
nimble
touchy
touchy
We can infer that because Fred "shouted at the first person to ask him about [the math quiz he failed]," we need to pick out an adjective to describe Fred that means something like "irritable." "Charismatic" might look like a potentially correct answer, but "charismatic" is an adjective that means "exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others," so it wouldn't make sense in the sentence's context. "Touchy," however, is an adjective that means "oversensitive and irritable" when being used to refer to a person, and because "touchy" best describes Fred's irritable mood, "touchy" is the correct answer.
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