Context Clues for Completion - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning
- Choose the word that fits: "His answer was ______; it avoided the question and gave no details." (vague, precise)
- vague. Avoiding the question with no details implies unclear or indefinite, opposite to exact or specific.
- What is an inference context clue, and how does it help determine meaning?
- Meaning inferred from the situation, tone, and outcomes. Inference clues require deducing the word's meaning from the overall context, including surrounding details and implications.
- Which word best completes: "The room was ______ after the storm; water covered the floor." (parched, flooded)
- flooded. Water covering the floor after a storm implies a word meaning overflowed with water, contrasting with dry or arid.
- Which option best completes: "The scientist was ______, refusing to accept claims without proof." (skeptical, gullible)
- skeptical. Refusing claims without proof indicates doubt or disbelief, contrasting with easily accepting without evidence.
- What is an example of a definition context clue that directly explains an unfamiliar word?
- A restatement using "that is," "meaning," or parentheses. This type of clue explicitly defines the word by rephrasing it in simpler terms within the sentence.
- Choose the word that fits: "The soup was ______, lacking salt and flavor." (bland, savory)
- bland. Lacking salt and flavor indicates a word meaning tasteless or dull, contrasting with flavorful or appetizing.
- Which word best completes: "The evidence was ______, leaving no doubt about what happened." (conclusive, ambiguous)
- conclusive. Leaving no doubt suggests definitive or decisive evidence, contrasting with unclear or uncertain.
- Choose the word that fits: "He was ______ about arriving early; he checked the clock repeatedly." (punctual, anxious)
- anxious. Checking the clock repeatedly implies worry or eagerness about timing, rather than simply being on time.
- Which word best completes: "The author's tone was ______, full of grief and longing." (melancholy, jubilant)
- melancholy. Full of grief and longing suggests sad or sorrowful, contrasting with joyful or celebratory.
- Choose the word that fits: "The child was ______, asking questions nonstop." (curious, apathetic)
- curious. Asking questions nonstop implies eager to learn or inquisitive, opposite to indifferent or uninterested.
- Choose the word that fits: "The schedule was ______; it could not be changed." (fixed, tentative)
- fixed. Unable to be changed implies set or permanent, opposite to provisional or uncertain.
- Choose the word that fits: "The instructions were ______, so even beginners could follow them." (clear, obscure)
- clear. Beginners following easily suggests a word meaning easy to understand, opposite to unclear or confusing.
- Which word best completes: "After many delays, the students grew ______ and began to complain." (impatient, content)
- impatient. Growing to complain after delays suggests restless or eager for progress, contrasting with satisfied or pleased.
- Choose the word that fits: "Because it was ______, the plan changed from day to day." (flexible, rigid)
- flexible. Changing from day to day suggests a word meaning adaptable or changeable, opposite to stiff or unyielding.
- What is an example of a synonym context clue that suggests a similar-meaning word nearby?
- A nearby word or phrase with the same meaning. Synonym clues provide a word or phrase nearby that shares the same meaning, helping to clarify the unfamiliar term.
- What is an example of an antonym context clue that signals an opposite meaning?
- A contrast signaled by "but," "however," or "instead". Antonym clues use contrasting words or phrases to imply the opposite meaning, aiding in deducing the unknown word.
- What is an example context clue that uses an example list to reveal meaning?
- Specific instances introduced by "for example" or "such as". Example clues list specific instances that illustrate the meaning of the unfamiliar word through concrete details.
- Which word best completes: "The teacher was ______, praising effort and offering helpful feedback." (encouraging, harsh)
- encouraging. Praising effort and giving feedback suggests supportive or motivating, contrasting with severe or critical.
- Which word best completes: "He spoke in a ______ voice, barely loud enough to hear." (booming, hushed)
- hushed. Barely loud enough to hear indicates a quiet or subdued voice, contrasting with loud or resounding.
- Which word best completes: "She was ______ with her time, donating hours to help others." (generous, miserly)
- generous. Donating hours to help others suggests giving freely, contrasting with stingy or selfish.
- Choose the word that fits: "The athlete was ______; she never missed a practice." (dedicated, indifferent)
- dedicated. Never missing practice implies commitment or devotion, opposite to uninterested or unconcerned.
- Choose the word that fits: "The old bridge looked ______, as if it might collapse." (sturdy, precarious)
- precarious. Looking like it might collapse implies unstable or risky, opposite to strong or stable.
- Choose the word that fits: "Her ______ apology sounded sincere and heartfelt." (contrite, arrogant)
- contrite. A sincere and heartfelt apology suggests remorse or regret, opposite to proud or unapologetic.
- Which word best completes the sentence: "The comedian was ______; every joke was sharp and biting." (witty, insipid)
- witty. Describing jokes as sharp and biting implies a word meaning clever and humorous, opposite to dull or boring.
- Which word best completes the sentence: "Her ______ remarks calmed the angry crowd." (soothing, caustic)
- soothing. The context of calming an angry crowd suggests a word meaning calming or pacifying, contrasting with something irritating.