ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1063 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When their father decided to dress like them, his teenage children thought he looked ___________ and hopelessly out of touch.
suave
stylish
sublime
dexterous
ludicrous
ludicrous
The main phrase to pay attention to in this sentence is "hopelessly out of touch." All choices with any sort of positive tone can be ruled out. The correct answer choice needs to indicate that the father looks silly, which is the definition of "ludicrous."
Example Question #1061 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After three months in a hospital bed, he had developed a decidedly __________ appearance.
rosy
vigorous
youthful
gaunt
cherubic
gaunt
Laying in a hospital bed for months will make someone much less healthy-looking. Look for the answer choice that indicates an unhealthiness or sickness. "Gaunt," meaning thin or even bony, is the only answer choice with such a meaning.
Example Question #1062 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While he never actually did anything that was strictly criminal, the police believed the man they had in custody was __________ in a great deal of illegal activities.
compliant
unconvinced
recalcitrant
resistant
hopeless
compliant
The arrested man was never directly involved, but had some connection to illegal activities. The correct answer choice will have a meaning of working with or being linked to such acts. "Compliant," meaning accomodating or involved in, is the only possible answer choice.
Example Question #971 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The excitement the young boy showed over receiving the gift and the fact that he immediately discarded it in favor of his previous present were __________.
inconsistent
evocative
excited
delicious
malicious
inconsistent
"Inconsistent" means lacking agreement or self-contradictory. The fact that this sentence describes two things which are supposed to not agree should lead the reader to look for a choice which expresses some degree of disharmony.
Example Question #972 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The politician related well to a wide variety of people because he had a way of being very __________ in interviews, and even those who disagreed with him felt they could trust him to do what he said.
hostile
candid
careful
confusing
duplicitous
candid
"Candid" means honest and straightforward. The fact that he was recognized as trustworthy gives a strong clue to this. "Duplicitious" is the exact opposite, meaning deliberately deceptive or dishonest.
Example Question #973 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
__________ to his public perception, the actor was actually an amicable person.
Steadfast
Contrary
In accordance
Obscure
Benign
Contrary
The word "contrary" implies a contradiction or opposites in some manner. The word "actually" tips the reader off to the fact that the actor's public and private personas are different and "contrary" is the only choice which reflects that.
Example Question #1063 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The bandmembers knew they were producing a(n) __________ album, and would not receive widespread acclaim for their work.
esoteric
gargantuan
popular
masterful
embellished
esoteric
"Esoteric" means designed or intended for the specially initiated alone. If the band did not expect to find mainstream success, it can be reasonably assumed that their music is either poor or intended for a smaller audience. As no options are available reflecting low quality, it can be assumed that they are playing for a niche market.
Example Question #1064 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Fred's __________ error that led to the motion's defeat was compounded by his refusal to admit that he was responsible.
inconsequential
egregious
nominal
nugatory
incidental
egregious
The correct answer addresses the severity of Fred's error that led to the motion's defeat ("egregious"). The incorrect answers treat Fred's error as minor or minute, which does not follow in the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1071 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Personal computers were an unknown phenomenon thirty years ago, but in today's society, they are fairly __________.
ubiquitous
novel
covert
peculiar
rare
ubiquitous
The correct answer will note how commonplace personal computers are today ("ubiquitous") in comparison to how they were thirty years ago. The incorrect answers treat personal computers as a new, unique, or unknown phenomenon.
Example Question #2011 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
A lover of romance novels and legends of heroes, Samantha maintained a __________ belief that she would one day marry her ideal knight in shining armor.
messianic
down-to-earth
quixotic
pragmatic
mundane
quixotic
The correct answer indicates the unrealistic and impractical nature of Samantha's belief in her future ("quixotic"). The incorrect answers claim that Samantha's belief is realistic ("pragmatic" and "down-to-earth") or normal and unremarkable ("mundane"). "Messianic" somewhat addresses the lack of realism present, but does not work in the context of the sentence.
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