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Meaning-Consistent
Completion

Learn to choose the word that keeps a sentence's meaning whole and sensible from start to finish.

ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning

What is a Sentence Completion?

A sentence completion gives you a sentence with one word missing. Your job is to pick the answer that fits the meaning of the whole sentence.

Why Meaning Matters

Beginning "The rain was heavy..." Ending "...so we stayed inside." Your word goes in between

A good answer connects the beginning to the ending. The whole sentence should make sense and not contradict itself.

Two Words to Know

Context Clue
A hint in the sentence that tells you what kind of word should go in the blank.
Consistent
When everything agrees. A consistent sentence does not say one thing and then the opposite.

The Main Rule

Read all Find the clue Match the meaning

Watch for Signal Words

Same Direction
Words like and, so, because mean the answer agrees with the clue.
Opposite Direction
Words like but, although, however mean the answer flips to the opposite.

Fits the Blank vs. Fits the Meaning

A word can fit the blank grammatically but still be wrong for the meaning. Always check the meaning, not just the grammar.

Steps to Solve

1
Read the whole sentence. Skip the blank and read it all the way through.
2
Find the clue. Look for words that hint at the meaning or direction.
3
Guess your own word before looking at the choices.
4
Test each choice. Read the sentence back with it. Does it keep one clear meaning?

Example 1: Same Direction

Clue: so Max asked for a second bowl. People ask for more when food tastes good.

Example 2: Opposite Direction

Clue: The word Although flips the direction. So the answer is the opposite of hard.

Example 3: Tricky Choices

Choices: quiet, noisy, empty, warm. Only one keeps the meaning whole.

Common Mistakes

✕ Ignoring Signal Words
Missing words like "but" or "although" leads to the opposite answer.
✕ Stopping Too Soon
Picking the first word that "sounds okay" without reading it all back.
✕ Only Checking Grammar
A word can fit the blank but still ruin the meaning.

Quick Summary

Same Direction Opposite Direction
Signal Words and, so, because but, although, however
Answer Agrees? Yes No, it flips
Example Clue "tired, so she slept" "tired, but she ran"

You're Ready!

Remember the steps: read it all, find the clue, guess your word, then test each choice. Now try five questions!

Question 1 of 5

"The garden was full of _____ flowers that smelled wonderful." Which word keeps the meaning?

Question 2 of 5

"Although Sam was nervous, he gave a _____ speech." Which word fits the opposite signal?

Question 3 of 5

"The ice was so _____ that the lake froze completely overnight." Which word keeps the meaning?

Question 4 of 5

"Mia studied hard, so she felt _____ before the big test." Which word agrees with the clue?

Question 5 of 5

"The directions were so _____ that nobody could figure out how to build the toy." Which word keeps the meaning?

Great Work!

You learned how to choose words that keep a sentence's meaning whole. Read the full sentence, find the clue, and match the meaning every time.