Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, and Connotation - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning
Card 1 of 505
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The storm was picking up around them and the people onboard were very fearful that the ship would .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The storm was picking up around them and the people onboard were very fearful that the ship would .
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In a storm it is logical that people onboard a boat would be worried about the boat turning over in the water and possibly sinking. The correct answer then is "capsize" which means (of a ship) to turn over in the water. To provide further help, "smitten" means in love with; "economize" means make a decision that will save money; "aggrandize" means increase power, wealth, or status; "elevate" means rise up.
In a storm it is logical that people onboard a boat would be worried about the boat turning over in the water and possibly sinking. The correct answer then is "capsize" which means (of a ship) to turn over in the water. To provide further help, "smitten" means in love with; "economize" means make a decision that will save money; "aggrandize" means increase power, wealth, or status; "elevate" means rise up.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was suffering dramatically in the heat.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was suffering dramatically in the heat.
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You are told that the subject of this sentence was "suffering dramatically" in the heat. The correct answer must therefore reflect that intensity. "Sweltering" means extremely and uncomfortably hot. To provide further help, "obdurate" means stubborn; "frivolous" means pointless; "nimble" means agile, flexible and capable of quick movement; "ambidextrous" means equally skilled at using either the right or left hand.
You are told that the subject of this sentence was "suffering dramatically" in the heat. The correct answer must therefore reflect that intensity. "Sweltering" means extremely and uncomfortably hot. To provide further help, "obdurate" means stubborn; "frivolous" means pointless; "nimble" means agile, flexible and capable of quick movement; "ambidextrous" means equally skilled at using either the right or left hand.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The newspaper's was unusually critical and scathing of the President.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The newspaper's was unusually critical and scathing of the President.
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The use of the words "critical" and "scathing" (harsh, critical, attacking) provide you with the necessary information to solve this problem. Newspaper articles usually should contain no bias or strong judgment, except in "editorials" in which a newspaper's editor is free to express subjectivity and opinion. If the article was "critical" and "scathing" it must have been an editorial.
The use of the words "critical" and "scathing" (harsh, critical, attacking) provide you with the necessary information to solve this problem. Newspaper articles usually should contain no bias or strong judgment, except in "editorials" in which a newspaper's editor is free to express subjectivity and opinion. If the article was "critical" and "scathing" it must have been an editorial.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She turned heads in her new summer dress and people kept coming up to her to tell her how she looked.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She turned heads in her new summer dress and people kept coming up to her to tell her how she looked.
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If the girl kept "turning heads" it makes sense that she looked beautiful, attractive, or "gorgeous." To provide further help, "chivalrous" means noble, honorable; "frantic" means rushed, stressed; "vengeful" means seeking revenge for some wrong done to you; "grumpy" means in a bad mood, moody.
If the girl kept "turning heads" it makes sense that she looked beautiful, attractive, or "gorgeous." To provide further help, "chivalrous" means noble, honorable; "frantic" means rushed, stressed; "vengeful" means seeking revenge for some wrong done to you; "grumpy" means in a bad mood, moody.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Thankfully the poison proved not to be and the girl made a complete recovery.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Thankfully the poison proved not to be and the girl made a complete recovery.
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If the author is "thankful" and the girl made a "complete recovery" then the poison must not have been deadly, likely to cause death, or "lethal." To provide further help, "superb" means excellent; "paltry" means small, an insufficiently little amount of something; "hilarious" means very funny; "muddled" means confused.
If the author is "thankful" and the girl made a "complete recovery" then the poison must not have been deadly, likely to cause death, or "lethal." To provide further help, "superb" means excellent; "paltry" means small, an insufficiently little amount of something; "hilarious" means very funny; "muddled" means confused.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Technology has a habit of quickly becoming ; for example, while many people listen to music digitally today, far fewer people listen to records or cassette tapes, which were popular ways to store music in the past.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Technology has a habit of quickly becoming ; for example, while many people listen to music digitally today, far fewer people listen to records or cassette tapes, which were popular ways to store music in the past.
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We can tell by the sentence's context that we're looking for an adjective that means something like old. While both "elderly" and "obsolete" mean old, "elderly" refers to people, while "obsolete" specifically means out of date. Because "obsolete" fits the context of the sentence best in referring to technologies that are no longer used, it is the best answer.
We can tell by the sentence's context that we're looking for an adjective that means something like old. While both "elderly" and "obsolete" mean old, "elderly" refers to people, while "obsolete" specifically means out of date. Because "obsolete" fits the context of the sentence best in referring to technologies that are no longer used, it is the best answer.
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Sentence Completions: Select the word that best completes the sentence.
Though he worked long hours in the factory, the worker's pay was still not enough to feed his nine children.
Sentence Completions: Select the word that best completes the sentence.
Though he worked long hours in the factory, the worker's pay was still not enough to feed his nine children.
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This sentence starts with the word "though," and since the blank comes after the comma, we know the answer will contradict the first part of the sentence. "Meager" means small, and because "meager" is the word that most correctly completes the sentence, "meager" is the correct answer.
This sentence starts with the word "though," and since the blank comes after the comma, we know the answer will contradict the first part of the sentence. "Meager" means small, and because "meager" is the word that most correctly completes the sentence, "meager" is the correct answer.
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Sentence Completions: Select the word that most best completes the sentence.
When we finally reached the coast, the ocean spread out before us, seeming to go on forever.
Sentence Completions: Select the word that most best completes the sentence.
When we finally reached the coast, the ocean spread out before us, seeming to go on forever.
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"Seeming to go on forever" is the clue in this sentence. The word that most closely means "seeming to go on forever" is "vast," which means immense, so "vast" is the correct answer.
"Seeming to go on forever" is the clue in this sentence. The word that most closely means "seeming to go on forever" is "vast," which means immense, so "vast" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The athlete set a new record when he completed the obstacle course more quickly than anyone at his school had done so before.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The athlete set a new record when he completed the obstacle course more quickly than anyone at his school had done so before.
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One might be tempted to pick "limber," which means flexible. But nothing in this sentence indicates the athlete is flexible. The sentence does tell us that the athlete "completed the obstacle course more quickly than anyone at his school had done so before," however, so we know that the athlete is fast. "Nimble," which means quick, best describes the athlete, so "nimble" is the correct answer.
One might be tempted to pick "limber," which means flexible. But nothing in this sentence indicates the athlete is flexible. The sentence does tell us that the athlete "completed the obstacle course more quickly than anyone at his school had done so before," however, so we know that the athlete is fast. "Nimble," which means quick, best describes the athlete, so "nimble" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Steve was in no hurry and so was content to to his friend's house.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Steve was in no hurry and so was content to to his friend's house.
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From the context of the sentence, you can infer that Steve would be likely to travel slowly to his friend's house; the sentence tells you he "was in no hurry." The answer choice that best captures this slow movement is “amble,” which means walk slowly. To help you, "sprint" means run quickly, and "allay" means calm or diminish and is usually used in the sense of allaying someone's fears or concerns.
From the context of the sentence, you can infer that Steve would be likely to travel slowly to his friend's house; the sentence tells you he "was in no hurry." The answer choice that best captures this slow movement is “amble,” which means walk slowly. To help you, "sprint" means run quickly, and "allay" means calm or diminish and is usually used in the sense of allaying someone's fears or concerns.
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Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Unlike his modest brother Rickard, Vince was extremely , prominently displaying his appearance and stylish clothing.
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Unlike his modest brother Rickard, Vince was extremely , prominently displaying his appearance and stylish clothing.
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In this sentence, Vince is being contrasted to Rickard inasmuch as Rickard is modest and Vince, apparently, is not. Specifically, Vince's immodesty pertains to his concerns about appearance and clothing. Since he is prominently displaying these, he must have a high opinion of his appearance. Such a person is vain—an attitude quite the opposite of that found in a modest person.
In this sentence, Vince is being contrasted to Rickard inasmuch as Rickard is modest and Vince, apparently, is not. Specifically, Vince's immodesty pertains to his concerns about appearance and clothing. Since he is prominently displaying these, he must have a high opinion of his appearance. Such a person is vain—an attitude quite the opposite of that found in a modest person.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After three hours of buzzing around the room, the fly did not merely annoy Brandon; it completely him.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After three hours of buzzing around the room, the fly did not merely annoy Brandon; it completely him.
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The sentence indicates an increase in intensity between being annoyed and the word that we need. Several of the options are relative synonyms for annoy ("vexed," "miffed"). The other options do not adequately express an intensification of anger. However, the word "enraged," though it may seem a bit strong, is indeed the best option.
The sentence indicates an increase in intensity between being annoyed and the word that we need. Several of the options are relative synonyms for annoy ("vexed," "miffed"). The other options do not adequately express an intensification of anger. However, the word "enraged," though it may seem a bit strong, is indeed the best option.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
As the weather cooled, the cold November temperatures gave way to quite temperatures by January.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
As the weather cooled, the cold November temperatures gave way to quite temperatures by January.
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The sentence is setting up a contrast of intensification. The cooling of temperatures is going from being "cold" to being cold_er_. This is the key thing that you need to capture. The word "frigid", strictly speaking, means "very cold." None of the other options are appropriate for conveying intensification. The only other weather-related word, "balmy," means pleasantly warm. This definitely does not fit!
The sentence is setting up a contrast of intensification. The cooling of temperatures is going from being "cold" to being cold_er_. This is the key thing that you need to capture. The word "frigid", strictly speaking, means "very cold." None of the other options are appropriate for conveying intensification. The only other weather-related word, "balmy," means pleasantly warm. This definitely does not fit!
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In crowds and at public functions, Gilbert was quite personable, but in the of his own home, he was quite withdrawn and quiet.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In crowds and at public functions, Gilbert was quite personable, but in the of his own home, he was quite withdrawn and quiet.
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This sentence contrasts how Gilbert acted in public and in private. Therefore, the best option for the sentence would be "privacy," for this describes his home as being the private space in which he was quiet—as opposed to the public space that is mentioned in the first part. The word "privacy" helps to establish the contrast quite clearly.
This sentence contrasts how Gilbert acted in public and in private. Therefore, the best option for the sentence would be "privacy," for this describes his home as being the private space in which he was quiet—as opposed to the public space that is mentioned in the first part. The word "privacy" helps to establish the contrast quite clearly.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old man was not merely sitting on his porch, staring into space; he was carefully the actions of his neighbors, hoping to find clues about who had stolen his lawn gnomes.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old man was not merely sitting on his porch, staring into space; he was carefully the actions of his neighbors, hoping to find clues about who had stolen his lawn gnomes.
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The old man was not just sitting on the porch, empty-headed and doing nothing. He was carefully watching things—observing them with care. He was not necessarily judging his neighbors (at least not yet). All we know is that the sentence is contrasting empty staring to the blank that we have to fill. "Observing" best fits for this—as the old man tries to figure out who stole the lawn decorations.
The old man was not just sitting on the porch, empty-headed and doing nothing. He was carefully watching things—observing them with care. He was not necessarily judging his neighbors (at least not yet). All we know is that the sentence is contrasting empty staring to the blank that we have to fill. "Observing" best fits for this—as the old man tries to figure out who stole the lawn decorations.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although many people like to buy the fanciest versions of appliances, the models are often sufficient for everyday needs.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although many people like to buy the fanciest versions of appliances, the models are often sufficient for everyday needs.
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The key word in this sentence is "sufficient," which helps us understand the contrast being expressed. Although many might want to buy appliances with all the "bells and whistles," it is generally the case that they need one that "works well enough." The best adjective for describing this would be "basic." Words like "cheap" and "worthless" are too negative to match the clue "sufficient."
The key word in this sentence is "sufficient," which helps us understand the contrast being expressed. Although many might want to buy appliances with all the "bells and whistles," it is generally the case that they need one that "works well enough." The best adjective for describing this would be "basic." Words like "cheap" and "worthless" are too negative to match the clue "sufficient."
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Buying two cars was perhaps understandable, but purchasing one hundred cars seemed to be a(n) expense.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Buying two cars was perhaps understandable, but purchasing one hundred cars seemed to be a(n) expense.
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This sentence works by building from a legitimate amount to one that is extremely large and "over the top." The idea is that it is an almost incomprehensible expense to buy and own a hundred cars. Such an expense could be called "extravagant," meaning having no restraint or limits. The word is actually related to the word "vagrant," meaning a wandering person without work. Something "extra-vagrant" wanders around outside of the borders of being acceptable. It is "over the top."
This sentence works by building from a legitimate amount to one that is extremely large and "over the top." The idea is that it is an almost incomprehensible expense to buy and own a hundred cars. Such an expense could be called "extravagant," meaning having no restraint or limits. The word is actually related to the word "vagrant," meaning a wandering person without work. Something "extra-vagrant" wanders around outside of the borders of being acceptable. It is "over the top."
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the detective did not have certain evidence, he did think that his hunch was the most option available for investigation at that time, far better than those offered by his peers.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the detective did not have certain evidence, he did think that his hunch was the most option available for investigation at that time, far better than those offered by his peers.
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The detective thinks that his option is the best available. This does not mean that it is the best and only option. It is not completely certain; it is just better than the others. Also, while it might be "interesting," we are not told that. Therefore, the best answer is "probable", which indicates that the option is likely, even if not certain.
The detective thinks that his option is the best available. This does not mean that it is the best and only option. It is not completely certain; it is just better than the others. Also, while it might be "interesting," we are not told that. Therefore, the best answer is "probable", which indicates that the option is likely, even if not certain.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
On the whale watching tour, the waves caused the boat to rock back and forth; this left several people feeling ill.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
On the whale watching tour, the waves caused the boat to rock back and forth; this left several people feeling ill.
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Since the boat rocked back and forth, it indicates that the waves were violent or turbulent. The key to this question is noting that the waves must have been violent for the passengers to feel ill.
Since the boat rocked back and forth, it indicates that the waves were violent or turbulent. The key to this question is noting that the waves must have been violent for the passengers to feel ill.
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Each question below is made up of a sentence with one blank. Each blank indicates that a word is missing. The sentence is followed by five answer choices. Select the one word that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Wearing a feather boa with her neon colored outfits and dancing around the classroom while she taught every day, the English teacher could best be described as .
Each question below is made up of a sentence with one blank. Each blank indicates that a word is missing. The sentence is followed by five answer choices. Select the one word that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Wearing a feather boa with her neon colored outfits and dancing around the classroom while she taught every day, the English teacher could best be described as .
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Due to her quirky way of dressing and the fact that she dances around the classroom, the English teacher is best described as eccentric or unconventional.
Due to her quirky way of dressing and the fact that she dances around the classroom, the English teacher is best described as eccentric or unconventional.
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