Context Clues in Word-Based Sentence Completions - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

The sentence contrasts the word describing the colors used in the painting's foreground with the "dull, muted" colors used in its background. This means that we need to pick out a word that means the opposite of "dull" and "muted." "Opaque" and "transparent" each refer to how much light can pass through something—light can't pass through "opaque" objects at all, but lots of light can pass through "transparent" objects, like window panes; neither of these answers can be correct because they are not opposites of "dull" and "muted." Similarly, "speckled" refers to something spotted in appearance and so describes an arrangement of colors, not if they are the opposite of "dull." "Dark" colors can be "dull" and "muted" or rich and vibrant, so "dark" cannot be the correct answer either. This leaves us with the correct answer, "vivid," a word that means bright and lively in appearance. Colors that are "vivid" can be contrasted with colors that are "dull" and "muted."

In this sentence, the words, "by contrast" indicate that there will be a difference between the phrase preceding those words and the adjective that comes afterwards. The opposite of the phrase "good at sports" would be "bad at sports." Someone who is "unathletic," or not athletic, is most likely bad at sports. Therefore, "unathletic" is the correct answer.

Given that Andrea cannot make up her mind, the best word to fill this blank is "indecisive_."_ A tempting wrong choice is "hungry_."_ However, this is not correct, because the sentence doesn't indicate that Andrea has an appetite, only that she is unsure of what she wants to eat. "Mundane" means plain, and is not the correct answer either.

Here, Ariel is being authentic by deciding not to cheat. To be authentic means to be true and honest to oneself. Cheating is the opposite of this. Therefore, authentic is the best answer choice.

Let's divide this sentence into two parts. First, we're told that the teacher usually wanted her days to be "unique and exciting." However, the conjunction "but" lets us know that we're looking for the opposite. In other words, sometimes the teacher looks forward to days that are not unique or exciting. Of the answer choices, a little bit of "variety" is similar to uniqueness; "distinctiveness" can be eliminated for the same reason. Even "amusement" is too close in meaning to "excitement," so we are left with "monotony," a word that refers to repetition of tedious or boring tasks. So, the teacher generally wished for excitement, but occasionally looked forward to a dull or "monotonous" day.

Here, the clue in this sentence is the key phrase "by contrast," which indicates that whatever follows the phrase is the opposite of what came before it. Given that Bob is "generous," and that his sister has a quality that contrasts with his generosity, the blank should be a word that is the opposite of "generous." "Selfish"means never sharing or caring about others, so it is the opposite of "generous" and therefore the correct answer.

You get paid to do your job, so if the author had to get one, it makes sense that he would get more money. The answer is therefore “increase,” which means to go up in amount. It is the opposite of “decrease.” The prefix "in_-_" in this context means up and the prefix "de-" means down. "Inspire” means to get someone to do something by making them feel they want to do it.

From the context, it sounds like the person speaking is afraid of spiders. The word “phobia” means fear, so this is the correct answer. The word “adoration” means love; the word “sorrow” means great sadness; an “attraction” is something you want to go see, like the zoo; and a “demand” is a rude or forceful request for something.

From the context you know that the correct answer must be something similar to the word “family,” this should lead you to the correct answer which is “kin.” “Kin” and “family” are synonyms of one another.

Because the subject’s friends usually start playing basketball without him, it is obvious that he must never or rarely be ready on time. The word “seldom” is the only answer choice that conveys that the subject of the sentence is rarely ready on time; all of the other answer choices emphasize how often he is ready on time, and so don't make sense in the sentence.

To complete this sentence, it is important to note its first word, "unless." This conjunction has a similar meaning to the phrase except when. In other words, Lisa will probably get a good grade on the Spanish test, except when she has done something specific in relation to the required material. So, we're looking for the one verb that would lead Lisa to do poorly. If Lisa "masters" the material, she'll likely earn a good grade, not a poor one; the same goes for "practices" and "completes." Our answer, then, must be "forgets." If Lisa forgets the material, she won't earn that good score on the test.

Given that Andrew's brother was "the most peaceful and nonviolent person he knew" and his brother got into a fight at school, it's most reasonable to infer that Andrew would be shocked by this news. "Speechless" means extremely shocked to the point where you can't say anything, so it is the best answer choice.

An apple becomes mushy when it is too mature. The words that best describes an apple being so old that its texture changes is the word "ripe,"which means fully developed. The stage following ripeness is rottenness.

A night guard is someone whose job it is to watch over something and monitor it. So, the answer you are looking for must be similar in meaning to "job." The correct answer is therefore "task" because this means job, duty, responsibility. To provide further help, an "antidote" is a solution to a poison, medicine; a "disguise" is something you wear to hide yourself.

The teacher wanted the students to be confused so it makes sense that the information given would be confusing. The correct answer is therefore "misleading." "Misleading" means confusing, intended to give someone the wrong idea. To provide further help, "considerable" means a large amount of; "illuminating" means shining a light on, revealing; "depressing" means sad, something that will make you feel sad.

Something that Tom did cost his company lost of money. Additionally you are told that Tom is warned that if he makes another mistake he will be fired. You can therefore determine that the answer must mean something similar to "mistake." The correct answer is therefore "mishap" which means accident. To provide further help, a "rascal" is a troublemaker; "malignant" means dangerous or lethal; a "furlong" is a unit of measurement, one-eighth of a mile.

To begin with "perish" means die. So, if the subjects did not want to die on their journey then it makes logical sense that they would want to have enough, sufficient supplies. The correct answer is therefore "ample," which means enough. Additionally, "anonymous" means unknown, not-named; "imperfect" means not perfect, flawed; "zany" means wacky, silly and crazy; "taut" means tight, as in a "taut" rope.

If the volcano one day erupted, but previously had not been erupting, then it must have been inactive for a period of time. The correct answer is therefore "dormant." Other synonyms of "dormant" include sleeping, resting, inactive. Additionally, "antagonized" means annoyed and provoked into a conflict; "profitable" means capable of making money, in the process of making money; "intelligent" means smart, clever; "addicted" means unable to stop doing something.

You can immediately eliminate "suspected" because the sentence would be structured "He suspected his favorite football team would win . . . " The only other answer choice that makes sense is "expected" which means think will happen. Additionally, "suspected" means have an idea that something is true; "inspected" means analyzed, looked at, examined; "respected" means admired, widely believed to be impressive; "assisted" means helped.

If people always listened to what the old man had to say it makes sense that his opinion was considered important, of great meaning and significance. So, the correct answer is "weighty." "Weighty" can also mean heavy when used to describe an object. Additionally, "jaunty" means happy and cheerful; "jarred" means disturbed, shocked; "infirm" means sick; "foolhardy" means foolish, stupid, silly.