ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #105 :One Blank Sentences

Harry couldn't keep up with their quick __________; they joked and teased each other constantly.

Possible Answers:

childishness

bravado

propriety

redundance

banter

Correct answer:

banter

Explanation:

Banteris correct because it means to speak playfully or wittily. Joking and teasing (especially when it is quick and witty) can be described as banter.

Example Question #11 :Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

John reluctantly sat down to complete his math homework; Emma, on the other hand, jumped into her chair and attacked the problem sets with__________.

Possible Answers:

malediction

altruism

alacrity

benevolence

apathy

Correct answer:

alacrity

Explanation:

The second half of the sentence contrasts with the first, as we can tell by “on the other hand.” This means that the word in the blank should mean the opposite of reluctance and grudge. The correct answer is “alacrity,” which meanscheerful willingness.

Example Question #202 :One Blank Sentences

每个句子完成问题s made up of a sentence with one or two blanks. One blank indicates that one word is missing. Two blanks indicate that two words are missing. Each sentence is followed by five choices. Select the one word or pair of words that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

At the _____ of her career, the figure skater Tara Lipinski won the Olympic gold medal in individual figure skating.

Possible Answers:

decline

apex

conclusion

plateau

beginning

Correct answer:

apex

Explanation:

Theapexis the best fit in this sentence since Tara Lipinski won the highest medal possible at the height orapexof her career.

Example Question #203 :One Blank Sentences

Each question below is made up of a sentence with one or two blanks. One blank indicates that one word is missing. Two blanks indicate that two words are missing. Each sentence is followed by five choices. Select the one word or pair of words that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The__________between brother and sister was almost too much for their parents to bear on the cross country road trip.

Possible Answers:

pacificity

neutrality

accord

indifference

contention

Correct answer:

contention

Explanation:

The situation suggests that both son and daughter were willfull and had disagreements during the road trip; thus, they hadcontentionbetween them.

Example Question #204 :One Blank Sentences

Each question below is made up of a sentence with one blank. The blank indicates that a word is missing. Each sentence is followed by five choices. Select the one word that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Rather than take the information in the book at face value, it was important to note that the author used heavy sarcasm and _____.

Possible Answers:

satire

allusions

veracity

analogies

synecdoche

Correct answer:

satire

Explanation:

The key to this sentence is noting that the author does not simply write straightforward facts, but he instead uses sarcasm and ridicule orsatire.

Example Question #205 :One Blank Sentences

Each question below is made up of a sentence with one blank. The blank indicates that a word is missing. Each sentence is followed by five choices. Select the one word that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Instead of being candid in his speech, he has __________ in word meanings which require the listener to read between the lines.

Possible Answers:

refutations

traces

treachery

deceptions

nuances

Correct answer:

nuances

Explanation:

If the person isn't candid, it indicates he has subtlety in his speech andnuances在字(词)代表我或影响ngs.

Example Question #206 :One Blank Sentences

When Laura’s boss discovered that her supposed sickness had been a mere __________, he immediately fired her for her dishonesty.

Possible Answers:

headache

discomfort

heartburn

fabrication

dyspepsia

Correct answer:

fabrication

Explanation:

The key word here is “dishonesty,” for this is the most specific that we can get about Laura’s sickness. There is nothing in the sentence to indicate anything about the specific nature of her ailment. Given that she was fired for dishonesty, the illness must have been a complete story that she made up. Hence, it is best called a “fabrication.” Something “fabricated” is strictly speaking something “manufactured.” When this is applied to human actions, a “fabrication” takes on the additional implication of intention to deceive.

Example Question #207 :One Blank Sentences

The afternoon tea luncheon felt as though it were a ceremony with all its own trappings, from the carefully arranged saucers to the exquisite __________ worn by its participants.

Possible Answers:

robes

gloves

hats

fleeces

garb

Correct answer:

garb

Explanation:

关键字,当然是“穿”,但你必须be careful not consult any knowledge that you might have concerning tea party ceremonies. The sentence itself implies nothing specific about what exquisite items are worn by the participants; therefore, the best option is “garb,” which generally means “clothing,” though often implying that said clothing has a special use. This latter point makes the word even more appropriate for the sentence, though it is really the very general nature of “garb” that makes it more appropriate than any of the specific options.

Example Question #208 :One Blank Sentences

Jeremiah seemed always to have a ___________ to declare against the injustices he detected among those in power.

Possible Answers:

problem

grievance

curse

hex

question

Correct answer:

grievance

Explanation:

Since Jeremiah detects injustices being done by those who are in power, the best description for his declarations would be “grievances.” A “grievance” is a reason that one has (perhaps completely in imagination, though perhaps also truly) for registering a complaint for being wronged or “aggrieved.”

Example Question #209 :One Blank Sentences

While, on one hand, too much activity will likely break down the body, it is likewise true, on the other, that too much __________ will break down the soul.

Possible Answers:

thoughtfulness

lust

physicality

lechery

idleness

Correct answer:

idleness

Explanation:

The opposition between the two sentences is between activity and something else. This can be detected by the parallel construction that speaks of one thing (“on the one hand”) breaking down the body and another (“on the other hand”) breaking down the soul; therefore, the best choice for an opposite to “activity” is “idleness.”

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