Sentence Completions: Adjectives and Adverbs

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Sentence Completions: Adjectives and Adverbs

Questions 1 - 10
1

Each sentence completion question 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.

Jennifer is a(n) _____ reader; she frequently reads books and seems to gain a high level of pleasure from reading.

avid

deliberate

repetitive

thoughtful

apathetic

Explanation

Since Jennifer reads frequently and with enthusiasm, she is best described as an avid or devoted reader.

2

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

After doing many crazy things, Bill decided to settle down to a more __________ existence.

sensible

sensitive

scholarly

appreciative

uplifting

Explanation

The key description that we have for Bill is his "crazy" lifestyle. In contrast to this, he has decided at last to "settle down," meaning that he has decided to live a calmer life. When one is "sensible," that person is practical and prudent. A "sensible" set of actions is one that is level-headed—far indeed from being "crazy."

3

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

Although most normal humans need seven or eight hours of sleep, some people have the seemingly __________ ability of functioning well on as little as four hours.

unnatural

pathological

sickly

deadly

tiring

Explanation

The sentence opens by explaining the natural state of human life. Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep (at least according to this sentence). The word "although" indicates a contrast between these "normal" humans and those needing less sleep. While we might think that such sleep patterns lead to sickness, we cannot assume this is what the author wishes to express. All we know is that he or she is contrasting normal and abnormal patterns. Therefore, the safest answer is "unnatural."

4

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

It may take years for the local environment to recover from the __________ destruction caused by local miners.

wanton

opaque

stagnant

unscathed

indispensable

Explanation

Based on the context you know you are looking for a word that relates to the reckless destruction of something. The correct answer is therefore "wanton" which means reckless, random, and cruel. Additionally, "opaque" means not transparent, not able to be seen through; "indispensable" means vital, needed, essential; "stagnant" means not moving, not growing; "unscathed" means unhurt, not wounded by.

5

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

Everyone is wearing red shows; they seem to be __________.

vogue

reactionary

dismal

prohibited

erroneous

Explanation

If everyone is wearing something it could be said to be popular or "vogue." Additionally, "reactionary" means very conservative, wanting the status quo to continue and fiercely opposed to change; "dismal" means of poor quality; "prohibited" means forbidden, not allowed; "erroneous" means incorrect, wrong.

6

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

He was considered notoriously __________ by his friends because he was always changing his mind and never held steadfastly to any opinions.

fickle

reckless

sustained

persistent

constant

Explanation

Someone who is inconsistent and always changing his or her mind is called “fickle.” “Reckless” means behaving and acting without caution or dangerous; “constant” means not changing; “persistent” means dedicated or willing to keep trying to make something work; and “sustained” means long-lasting.

7

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

Rob does not enjoy horror movies because they make him feel very __________.

anxious

excited

bored

enthralled

sad

Explanation

If someone does not like horror movies, the most logical reason would be that those types of movies have an effect that makes him feel "anxious," or worried. Therefore, "anxious"is the correct answer. While scary movies may make someone feel "excited" or "enthralled," those are generally positive characteristics that would cause someone to like a movie, rather than dislike it. Scary movies are not generally characterized as making people "bored" or "sad," so those answer choices are incorrect.

8

Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.

The Joneses are a very ­__________ family; their guests always feel welcomed at their home.

hospitable

miserly

miserable

parsimonious

despicable

Explanation

From the context of the second part of the sentence, you know that the Joneses make their guests feel welcomed. This means they are very “hospitable.” To further help you, "miserly" means _not generous with money; "_parsimonious" means economical with money; "despicable" means evil or wicked.

9

Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.

“This pudding is perfect,” said the warden, “I just cannot get over how __________ it is."

scrumptious

punctual

gregarious

miserly

abhorrent

Explanation

The sentence suggests that the warden has tasted some perfect pudding. The answer choice is therefore likely to mean delicious. The correct answer is “scrumptious,” which means tasty or delicious. To help you, "punctual" means on time, "abhorrent" means gross and unnatural, "miserly" means tight with money, "gregarious" means outgoing and sociable.

10

Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.

Jenny is not an extroverted person; she struggles to make conversation and is generally __________ when out with her family or friends.

taciturn

tenacious

affable

laborious

gregarious

Explanation

The author tells us that Jenny struggles with talking to people and is not extroverted, so we know that the answer choice must describe someone who is shy and quiet. This information tells us that the correct answer is "taciturn" which means quiet, timid, introverted. To provide further help, an "extrovert" is someone who is confident with people and affable; "affable" means friendly, sociable; "tenacious" means determined; "gregarious" means friendly; "laborious" means hard-work, tasking.

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