Word-Based Sentence Completions

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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Word-Based Sentence Completions

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

Marshall was                        to discover that he scored poorly on his math exam, given that he had studied extensively and done very well on practice tests.

shocked

annoyed

outraged

unimpressed

horrified

Explanation

Given the context of the sentence, we know that Marshall had studied a lot for his test, and scored well on practice exams, but still scored poorly. This difference between his expectations and reality would cause him to be very surprised, or "shocked." While he might be upset, the words "outraged" and "horrified" are too strong, and "annoyed" is too weak. "Unimpressed" is not appropriate. Therefore, "surprised" is the best answer.

2

Select the word that best completes the sentence.

Frogs can live on land as well as in water, which makes them                         .

Amphibious

Ambidextrous

Versatile

Aquatic

Mammals

Explanation

Animals that are amphibious can inhabit land and water. Therefore the best answer choice here is amphibious.

The only other answer choice that might work is versatile, yet that is not specific enough here, and therefore not the best answer choice.

3

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

She hurt herself when she jumped into the pool because it was much too                       .

shallow

broad

convenient

opaque

supreme

Explanation

You would hurt yourself if you jumped into a pool and there was not much water there. When water is not deep, it's called “shallow.” “Supreme” means the best.

4

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

The new statue was quite                       , drawing the attention of almost everyone who walked through the park.

intriguing

massive

expensive

profound

determined

Explanation

All that we know about the statue is that it is drawing people's attention. It might have been very "expensive," or it might have been very large ("massive"); however, we just don't know those details. All that we know is that the statue seems to be very interesting. When something is "intriguing," it draws attention and interest. Among the options provided, the word "intriguing" is the only one that expresses this general idea of being interesting.

5

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

Bill owed his friend some money, when Bill did not pay this led to a(n)                       .

dispute

accord

vague

demonstration

frequent

Explanation

Bill owes his friend some money, but does not pay him. From this information you can determine that this would likely lead to an argument or a fight. The correct answer is therefore "dispute" which means argument, a disagreement over something. To provide further help, "frequent" means happening often; "accord" means agreement; "vague" means unclear; a "demonstration" is a protest, a showing of some thing or some feeling.

6

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

The new statue was quite                       , drawing the attention of almost everyone who walked through the park.

intriguing

massive

expensive

profound

determined

Explanation

All that we know about the statue is that it is drawing people's attention. It might have been very "expensive," or it might have been very large ("massive"); however, we just don't know those details. All that we know is that the statue seems to be very interesting. When something is "intriguing," it draws attention and interest. Among the options provided, the word "intriguing" is the only one that expresses this general idea of being interesting.

7

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

In contrast with her very                          sister, Regina always created plans for her day and followed them carefully.

impulsive

experienced

youthful

irrational

intense

Explanation

This sentence clearly is contrasting Regina and her sister. Regina is a careful planner who seems to set out to do exactly what she plans. From what we can tell, she does not deviate from these plans. A person who is impulsive is just the opposite of this. He or she follows his or her impulses (wishes or desires), often going from one thing to the next without much explanation. Now, this can seem to be irrational, but these two words are not quite the same. An irrational person can also be someone who just can't "think straight" because he or she is angry. An impulsive person is a closer contrast to Regina's personality.

8

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

Bill owed his friend some money, when Bill did not pay this led to a(n)                       .

dispute

accord

vague

demonstration

frequent

Explanation

Bill owes his friend some money, but does not pay him. From this information you can determine that this would likely lead to an argument or a fight. The correct answer is therefore "dispute" which means argument, a disagreement over something. To provide further help, "frequent" means happening often; "accord" means agreement; "vague" means unclear; a "demonstration" is a protest, a showing of some thing or some feeling.

9

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

Marshall was                        to discover that he scored poorly on his math exam, given that he had studied extensively and done very well on practice tests.

shocked

annoyed

outraged

unimpressed

horrified

Explanation

Given the context of the sentence, we know that Marshall had studied a lot for his test, and scored well on practice exams, but still scored poorly. This difference between his expectations and reality would cause him to be very surprised, or "shocked." While he might be upset, the words "outraged" and "horrified" are too strong, and "annoyed" is too weak. "Unimpressed" is not appropriate. Therefore, "surprised" is the best answer.

10

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

The speech, which lasted for nearly two hours, was very                       .

wordy

lame

intense

hilarious

complimentary

Explanation

A speech that is nearly two hours long would contain a lot of words, so one could accurately describe it as being "wordy," which means long or containing a lot of words and is used to describe written works or speeches.

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