ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Sentence Completion

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #971 : One Blank Sentences

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

Having traveled to many nations, the journalist had a(n) __________ writing style.

Possible Answers:

eclectic

facetious

jubilant

auspicious

innocuous

Correct answer:

eclectic

Explanation:

The key phrase is “having traveled to many nations.” The word “eclectic” means embracing various or different sources.

Example Question #971 : One Blank Sentences

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

The ________ manner in which she gave to charity annoyed her more generous friends.

Possible Answers:

ebullient

parsimonious

inexorable

unlimited

generous

Correct answer:

parsimonious

Explanation:

A simple word replacement helps figure out the answer to this question. As the “more generous friends” are annoyed by the subject’s manner, then go through word by word for all the answer choices. "Parsimonious," which means stingy and tight with money, is the only choice that works.

Example Question #1171 : Sentence Completion

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

The rain clouds overhead were __________, as all of the crops in Kansas were dry and dying.

Possible Answers:

ephemeral

menacing

auspicious

considerate

sedulous

Correct answer:

auspicious

Explanation:

The correct answer here is "auspicious" because the rain clouds were a symbol of something good to come, as they would nourish and save the crops. The rain clouds may have been short-lived ("ephemeral"), but that would not benefit the crops; the rain clouds certainly were not thorough and studious ("sedulous"), and they may have appeared "menacing," but again, their menacing appearance would have no impact on the dry nature of the crops.

Example Question #891 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

It was difficult to identify the __________ thief in the line-up; she did not have any distinguishing characteristics.

Possible Answers:

nondescript

singular

unique

mesmerizing

incomparable

Correct answer:

nondescript

Explanation:

"Nondescript" means lacking distinguishing characteristics. A thief without traits that set her apart would be difficult to identify in a line-up.

Example Question #372 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

He considered himself quite the ladies' man, but most of the women he met found his personality __________.

Possible Answers:

pleasant

agreeable

sensuous

adroit

noxious

Correct answer:

noxious

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence is a good clue that most women's perception of the man are at odds with his own sense of himself as a ladies' man. The correct answer choice is one that indicates some level of offensiveness in his personality. "Noxious," meaning offensive or even poisonous, is the only choice that has any sense of negativity.

Example Question #1011 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

The students looked at one another in a state of confusion, as the teacher's homework instructions were rather vague and __________.

Possible Answers:

obscure

ornary

acquiescent 

obtuse

relinquished

Correct answer:

obscure

Explanation:

Obscure is the only word that is a synonym of "vague." 

Example Question #971 : One Blank Sentences

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

As the director lowered his arms, all one hundred of the Christmas carolers __________ began to sing a lively version of a popular carol in unison.

Possible Answers:

frigidly

simultaneously

intermittenly 

callously

tumultuously

Correct answer:

simultaneously

Explanation:

Only simultaneously means "in unison" or occurring at the same time.

Example Question #972 : One Blank Sentences

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

The burglar must not have been too __________ leaving the scene of the crime; three different neighbors saw him exit the corner house with stolen goods in his arms.

Possible Answers:

surreptitious

cogent

audacious

irreverent

overt

Correct answer:

surreptitious

Explanation:

"Surreptitious" means secretive. Since the burglar was seen by various people, he could not have been too surreptitious. 

Example Question #1172 : Sentence Completion

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

Jaded and __________, the aspiring young journalist decided to abandon his dream career due to the scarcity of writing jobs.

Possible Answers:

despondent

agile

inarticulate

corpulent

relentless

Correct answer:

despondent

Explanation:

"Despondent" means lacking hope. Since the journalist opted to abandon his dream job, he must have been despondent.

Example Question #1173 : Sentence Completion

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

Annette was enthused about pawning what she thought was a solid gold ring, but after some examination, her sister informed her that it was merely a __________ piece of jewelry.

Possible Answers:

mysterious

admonished

ubiquitous

gilded

harangue

Correct answer:

gilded

Explanation:

A gilded piece of jewelry is superficially covered with gold but not gold throughout. 

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