ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Sentence Completions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #218 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

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

Although they can often seem cliche, __________ serve an important purpose by imparting useful lessons through simple language.

Possible Answers:

disruptions

conundrums

adherents

adages

excursions

Correct answer:

adages

Explanation:

An old saying meant to impart a lesson is known as an "adage." Additionally, an "adherent" is someone who follows something, someone who sticks to the rules or guidelines; a "conundrum" is a problem, a difficulty; a "disruption" is something that hinders the progress of, something that interrupts the progress of and serves as an obstacle; an "excursion" is a leisurely trip.

Example Question #219 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

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

He took advantage of a sudden __________ in the action to have a quick rest.

Possible Answers:

rancor

flux

bounty

lull

residue

Correct answer:

lull

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a brief period of calm in between two periods of intense activity. The correct answer is therefore "lull." Additionally, a "bounty" is a reward, a prize, an abundant supply of something; "flux" is a state of constant change; "rancor" is bitterness, resentfulness, spite, long-standing hatred; "residue" is what is left behind when the bulk of something is removed.

Example Question #220 : Sentence Completions: Nouns

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

The two parties had reached a(n) __________ and for a time it seemed like any progress would be impossible.

Possible Answers:

indifference

deportment

impasse

commodity

acumen

Correct answer:

impasse

Explanation:

A situation in which two parties cannot make progress due to disagreement is called an "impasse." Another word for "impasse" is "deadlock." Additionally, "acumen" is skill, ability; "deportment" is behavior, character, personality; "indifference" is apathy, a lack of caring one way or the other; a "commodity" is something of value, worth owning.

Example Question #811 : Sentence Completions

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

A(n) __________ broke out on the bus because the passenger refused to pay his fare.

Possible Answers:

edifice

specter

vocation

altercation

ditty

Correct answer:

altercation

Explanation:

A situation where a passenger on a bus refuses to pay his fare would likely result in a conflict, confrontation, an argument. So, the correct answer is "altercation." Additionally, a "ditty" is a playful, short song; a "vocation" is an occupation, a job; an "edifice" is a building, or the side of a building; a "specter" is a ghost, a phantom.

Example Question #812 : Sentence Completions

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

The school usually attained extremely high test scores, so the teachers naturally viewed it as a(n) __________ when the students scored much worse than usual last year.

Possible Answers:

aberration

feint

dissent

potential

objection

Correct answer:

aberration

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes a departure from the norm, an anomaly, a deviation from what is expected. Also, usually the word "aberration" suggests that whatever departure from the norm that has occurred was unwelcome. Additionally, "dissent" is disagreement with authority, refusal to follow the rules; "potential" is possible ability; a "feint" is a trick, a deceptive attack meant to distract from the main attack; an "objection" is a point of disagreement, some issue raised in opposition to something.

Example Question #813 : Sentence Completions

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

He was found guilty of __________ and sentenced to two years in prison.

Possible Answers:

ferment

banter

semblance

lassitude

perjury

Correct answer:

perjury

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you need to determine which of these is a noun that describes a crime for which someone might be imprisoned. The correct answer is "perjury" which is lying under oath, lying in court. Additionally, "lassitude" is a state of exhaustion or weariness; "ferment" is a state of agitated excitement and passion; "semblance" means likeness, having the appearance of something else; "banter" is playful teasing, making fun of someone in a friendly manner.

Example Question #814 : Sentence Completions

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

There were many __________ on the course, but he kept his composure and stayed out of trouble.

Possible Answers:

catacombs

editors

hazards

hearths

docks

Correct answer:

hazards

Explanation:

The context of this sentence suggests that the correct answer is a noun that means dangers, things to be wary of. So, the correct answer is "hazards." A "hazard" is a danger, an obstacle. Things can also be "hazardous," which means dangerous, unsafe. Additionally, a "hearth" is either a fireplace or a spiritual home; a "dock" is a port, a harbor, a place for ships to anchor; an "editor" is someone who reads other people's work and edits it; a "catacomb" is an underground cemetery, a crypt.

Example Question #815 : Sentence Completions

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

She distracted the __________ so that the prisoners of war could escape.

Possible Answers:

refugee

academic

merchant

sentry

hermit

Correct answer:

sentry

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a noun that means something like watchman, guard, military guard. So, the correct answer is "sentry." Additionally, a "refugee" is someone who flees danger in their own country to seek safety in another country; an "academic" is someone who studies, learns, and teachers for a living, a professor; a "hermit" is a person living alone who avoids human contact; a "merchant" is a trader, someone who sells goods for a living.

Example Question #816 : Sentence Completions

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

The audience could see through his __________ and knew not to take him seriously.

Possible Answers:

umbrage

tome

brutality

frailty

bombast

Correct answer:

bombast

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that you are looking for a noun that means something like insincere talk that should not be taken seriously or accepted as true. The correct answer is therefore "bombast." Someone who is "bombastic" is pompous and sounding smarter than they actually are. Additionally, "umbrage" is offense; a "tome" is a lengthy book; "frailty" is weakness; "brutality" is violence and cruelty.

Example Question #817 : Sentence Completions

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

After she finished her book, Henrietta gave it to Nigel so that he could give her recommendations regarding _____________ that needed to be made to improve the text.

Possible Answers:

revisions

publications

details

interrogations

locutions

Correct answer:

revisions

Explanation:

The general idea of this sentence is that Nigel is going to recommend some changes to the book. Whenever we change a text (or anything that we make) so as to improve its overall quality, we make "revisions" to the text. Really, any kind of general change of something can be called revisions. Hence, there can be revised styles of cars and revisions in the color of a line of clothes.

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