All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence Completions: Select the word that most best completes the sentence.
Akin
Jolly
Zany
Steadfast
Steadfast
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
It was not surprising to learn that Donald had written many books about ancient Greece; he was well known as an__________scholar.
Absent
Enigmatic
Expansive
Erudite
Exultant
Erudite
Since Donald has "written many books about Greece," we can infer that he knows a lot about that topic. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something likeknowledgeable. The word that best fits the sentence's blank is "erudite," which meanslearnedand scholarly. As for the other answer choices, "absent" meansnot presentormissing, "enigmatic" meansmysterious, "expansive" meansextensiveor大的ive, and "exultant" meanstriumphantordelighted.
Example Question #11 :Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The king showed no compassion to the treasonous prisoners; then again, he was always known for his___________side.
greagarious
intelligent
ruthless
supple
benevolent
ruthless
From the context of the sentence, you know that the blank word must describe the king’s lack of mercy and compassion. The correct answer is therefore “ruthless," which meansshowing no mercyorviolent. To help you, "benevolent" meansgood-natured, "supple" meansflexible, "intelligent" meanssmart, and "gregarious" meanssociable.
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The boss had announced that the meeting was going to be__________;不过,他很惊讶地看到他的几个新兴市场ployees arrive dressed in their pajamas and without anything for taking notes.
brief
settled
concise
informal
sparse
informal
The key thing for this sentence is to note the boss' surprise. The word "still" in the second independent clause meansnevertheless. This adverb indicates that even though the boss announced the meeting was going to be X, he was surprised that people came to it in such a very casual manner. You are looking for a synonym for "casual." "Informal" works well to this end.
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Although it might be hard to believe, many very radical beliefs were at one time very__________opinions, held by most people.
wise
rural
questionable
civic
moderate
moderate
"Radical" opinions are ones that arevery daring and bold, often held by very few people. The word literally meanscut to the root, as though you were to hold an opinion that is "uprooted" from all that is commonly believed by society. Generally speaking, "radical" implies something very innovative and even bold (for good or ill). In contrast to such opinions, "moderate" ones are"middle of the road"oraverage. Indeed, in political parties, the "moderates" are precisely those people who are said to avoid radical positions.
Example Question #2 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
Since he hated all forms of change, Brandon preferred__________answers to life’s problems instead of new and bold solutions.
unconventional
meek
traditional
forgotten
questionable
traditional
The key "trigger" word is "instead." This indicates a contrast between Brandon's preferences and the thing following "instead of." In contrast to "new and bold" solutions, Brandon must like "older, tested solutions." When something is "traditional," it is the sort of thing that has been "handed down" from past generations. It contrasts with the "new and the bold" by being "old and familiar."
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence completions: Fill in the gap(s) in this sentence.
It is late at night and I am walking alone; as a result, I feel__________and keep checking the sidewalk behind me.
rage
effusive
enamored
passive
wary
wary
The sentence suggests that the author is feeling nervous walking home alone at night. The answer choice that most closely resembles nervous is “wary,” which meansnervous and cautious. To further help you, "enamored" meansin love with;"passive" meansrestrained or not aggressive;"rage" meansanger;"effusive" meansdemonstrative.
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The boy broke several rules during recess and was expecting to get admonished by his teacher; however, in the end, the teacher felt sorry for the boy and was__________.
diabolical
lenient
ominous
immaculate
severe
lenient
The context of this sentence suggests that the teacher should have been inclined to punish the boy for breaking the rules, but instead decided to be tolerant and patient. When someone has good reason to be angry, but decides instead not to yell, we call this person "lenient." To provide further help, "severe" meansintenseorextreme, "diabolical" meansevil, "immaculate" meansspotlessorperfect, and "ominous" meanssuggesting dangerorthreatening.
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Sentence completions: Fill in the blank(s) to complete the sentence.
Ryan was not my first choice for lab partner, but he gets the work done and is certainly more__________than some of the other students in the class.
competent
anonymous
obtuse
thickheaded
perennial
competent
From the context of the sentence, you know that Ryan iscapable, but not spectacularat his studies. This is similar in meaning to “competent,” which meanscapable, but not the best. To provide further help, “obtuse” meansdull, not sharp;“anonymous” meansunknown;“perennial” meansoccurring regularly, constant.
Example Question #1 :Sentence Completions: Context Clues
Todd's faults were not as __________ as many of his friends thought, for his apparently terrible character traits were, in fact, minor character flaws.
censured
blatant
grave
belittled
fanciful
grave
If you were merely filling in the blank for this sentence without looking at the options provided, you would likely write: "Todd's faults were not as bad . . ." The second clause (after "for") implies that Todd only has minor character flaws, not major ones (even if the latter appears to be the case). The word "grave" does not only mean "a burial place." It is also can be used as an adjective meaning "serious." This use of the word comes from the Latin for "heavy" (as well as "serious") and is related to the word "gravity."
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