Nouns and Adjectives or Adverbs in Two-Blank Sentences - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning
Card 0 of 405
Grandmother Sylvia never spoke ill of anybody that she knew or did not know. This did not prevent her from making remarks about others. She merely pronounced such views in carefully crafted .
Grandmother Sylvia never spoke ill of anybody that she knew or did not know. This did not prevent her from making remarks about others. She merely pronounced such views in carefully crafted .
Tap to see back →
The key here is that Sylvia covered her remarks up. "Euphemisms" are indirect expressions that avoid what would be potentially offensive words. The word comes from two Greek bases. The prefix “eu-” means good and is seen in English words like “eulogy” (good speech, a speech that presents someone else well). The second half comes from “pheme,” meaning to speak, and is seen in English words like “blaspheme” or “blasphemy.”
The key here is that Sylvia covered her remarks up. "Euphemisms" are indirect expressions that avoid what would be potentially offensive words. The word comes from two Greek bases. The prefix “eu-” means good and is seen in English words like “eulogy” (good speech, a speech that presents someone else well). The second half comes from “pheme,” meaning to speak, and is seen in English words like “blaspheme” or “blasphemy.”
Which of the following pairs of words best completes the sentence below?
Although the of students voted for an ice cream party rather than a pizza party, the decision was not .
Which of the following pairs of words best completes the sentence below?
Although the of students voted for an ice cream party rather than a pizza party, the decision was not .
Tap to see back →
"Majority" and "unanimous" is the most likely match. Most of the students voted for the ice cream party, but the decision was not unanimous (meaning 100-percent agreed-upon).
Although "remainder" makes sense in the sentence, "necessary" does not.
Although "classroom" makes sense, "popular" does not. If a classroom full of students voted on the ice cream party, it is unlikely that the decision would not be popular.
The words "youngest" and "immediate," while making sense in the sentence on their own, do not relate in the context of this sentence.
"Majority" and "unanimous" is the most likely match. Most of the students voted for the ice cream party, but the decision was not unanimous (meaning 100-percent agreed-upon).
Although "remainder" makes sense in the sentence, "necessary" does not.
Although "classroom" makes sense, "popular" does not. If a classroom full of students voted on the ice cream party, it is unlikely that the decision would not be popular.
The words "youngest" and "immediate," while making sense in the sentence on their own, do not relate in the context of this sentence.
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
My friend’s argument that might makes right is the very of my belief in a higher law to which we are all .
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
My friend’s argument that might makes right is the very of my belief in a higher law to which we are all .
Tap to see back →
"Antithesis" means the exact opposite, while "beholden" means owing something to another, such as allegiance. A person who argues that power determines what is right and wrong would believe the exact opposite of his or her friend who believes in a higher law to which we must all be loyal.
"Antithesis" means the exact opposite, while "beholden" means owing something to another, such as allegiance. A person who argues that power determines what is right and wrong would believe the exact opposite of his or her friend who believes in a higher law to which we must all be loyal.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
At the slightest , my little brother will start screaming for my mother’s attention. He is such a little ball of anger!
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
At the slightest , my little brother will start screaming for my mother’s attention. He is such a little ball of anger!
Tap to see back →
"Provocation" means something that incites, while "irascible" means easily angered. A little brother who is quick to anger would certainly require little incitement to start screaming for his mother.
"Provocation" means something that incites, while "irascible" means easily angered. A little brother who is quick to anger would certainly require little incitement to start screaming for his mother.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
My father has a for statements; he frequently claims to have invented letters of the alphabet!
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
My father has a for statements; he frequently claims to have invented letters of the alphabet!
Tap to see back →
"Propensity" means inclination, while "grandiose" means characterized by greatness of scope or intent. A man who frequently makes statements like having invented letters of the alphabet would certainly have an inclination for statements of remarkable scope.
"Propensity" means inclination, while "grandiose" means characterized by greatness of scope or intent. A man who frequently makes statements like having invented letters of the alphabet would certainly have an inclination for statements of remarkable scope.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The approached the master with such praise that the old man could not help but be touched by the younger man’s innocence and unreserved straight-forwardness.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The approached the master with such praise that the old man could not help but be touched by the younger man’s innocence and unreserved straight-forwardness.
Tap to see back →
A "novice" is a beginner or someone without training or experience, while "ingenuous" means candid and innocent. Naturally, the master would only be touched by praise that was innocent and candid.
A "novice" is a beginner or someone without training or experience, while "ingenuous" means candid and innocent. Naturally, the master would only be touched by praise that was innocent and candid.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Up high in the belfry, the birds erupted into a disruptive , ruining the recital; everyone who had come to hear the singers left quite .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Up high in the belfry, the birds erupted into a disruptive , ruining the recital; everyone who had come to hear the singers left quite .
Tap to see back →
"Cacophony" means a tremendous, disharmonious noise, while "disgruntled" means upset or not content. Understandably, people who had come to hear music would be upset that a recital was interrupted by a disharmonious noise.
"Cacophony" means a tremendous, disharmonious noise, while "disgruntled" means upset or not content. Understandably, people who had come to hear music would be upset that a recital was interrupted by a disharmonious noise.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The human brain was by far the most popular subject among the biology students, even though it was also the most to study, as they found all of its fascinating.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The human brain was by far the most popular subject among the biology students, even though it was also the most to study, as they found all of its fascinating.
Tap to see back →
That a school subject is popular even though it has another characteristic tells us that characteristic should be negative. "Burdensome" and "strenuous" would both work. This makes the options for the second blank "intricacies" and "prowess." "Intricacies" makes more sense in the context of this sentence, because it indicates complexity, where "prowess" indicates skill.
That a school subject is popular even though it has another characteristic tells us that characteristic should be negative. "Burdensome" and "strenuous" would both work. This makes the options for the second blank "intricacies" and "prowess." "Intricacies" makes more sense in the context of this sentence, because it indicates complexity, where "prowess" indicates skill.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In giving advice to his friend, the naïve young man lisped a number of that he had unquestioningly learned during his childhood. The friend was unconvinced by the reasoning presented in defense of such purportedly profound moral “insights.”
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In giving advice to his friend, the naïve young man lisped a number of that he had unquestioningly learned during his childhood. The friend was unconvinced by the reasoning presented in defense of such purportedly profound moral “insights.”
Tap to see back →
Platitudes are expressions that have been so overused that they really have no meaning—the “wisdom” that really is nothing but repetition of familiar remarks. At best, the reasoning behind the use of such expressions is “surface level deep” or “superficial,” which means lacking depth or profundity—literally “only on the top (super-) layer (-ficial).”
Platitudes are expressions that have been so overused that they really have no meaning—the “wisdom” that really is nothing but repetition of familiar remarks. At best, the reasoning behind the use of such expressions is “surface level deep” or “superficial,” which means lacking depth or profundity—literally “only on the top (super-) layer (-ficial).”
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Thanks to carefully crafted financial devices, the firm’s assets were particularly from any collateral effects of the prices of several key commodities. Even if the prices of these goods fluctuated greatly, the assets would basically be at with their initial values.
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Thanks to carefully crafted financial devices, the firm’s assets were particularly from any collateral effects of the prices of several key commodities. Even if the prices of these goods fluctuated greatly, the assets would basically be at with their initial values.
Tap to see back →
Since the assets were free from interference, they were isolated. The word “insulated” does not merely indicate the process of installing material to prevent energy from being transferred from one area to another. It also can indicate any such isolation of forces. The word is derived from the Latin word “insula,” which means “island.” The English word, “insular,” is similarly derived.
The word “parity”, indicating a state of equality, is derived from the Latin “pars,” meaning equal. The same root is reflected in English words like “disparity,” “pair,” and even “subpar.”
Since the assets were free from interference, they were isolated. The word “insulated” does not merely indicate the process of installing material to prevent energy from being transferred from one area to another. It also can indicate any such isolation of forces. The word is derived from the Latin word “insula,” which means “island.” The English word, “insular,” is similarly derived.
The word “parity”, indicating a state of equality, is derived from the Latin “pars,” meaning equal. The same root is reflected in English words like “disparity,” “pair,” and even “subpar.”
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sebastian’s attitude was quite dark and irritable. Indeed, one could rightly call it . What is more, everyone knew of this disposition because of his constant .
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sebastian’s attitude was quite dark and irritable. Indeed, one could rightly call it . What is more, everyone knew of this disposition because of his constant .
Tap to see back →
The key to getting this question correct is noting the options for the first blank. The sense here is not directly depression but instead is that of being of a bleak and sullen temperament. “Morose” best fits this usage. Although “lamentation” can have the sense of weeping, it also can indicate the expression of sorrow in general, so the word still fits—at least better than the other options, which is all that is needed.
The key to getting this question correct is noting the options for the first blank. The sense here is not directly depression but instead is that of being of a bleak and sullen temperament. “Morose” best fits this usage. Although “lamentation” can have the sense of weeping, it also can indicate the expression of sorrow in general, so the word still fits—at least better than the other options, which is all that is needed.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The small mountain community was basically , for the surrounding mountains served as preventing exit or entry.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The small mountain community was basically , for the surrounding mountains served as preventing exit or entry.
Tap to see back →
If something is “hermetic” it is sealed totally—often in the sense of being air-tight, though (as in our sentence) it can mean that something is sealed from outside influences. If the mountains thus seal the community from outside world, they are “obstructions” in the way of potential passage.
If something is “hermetic” it is sealed totally—often in the sense of being air-tight, though (as in our sentence) it can mean that something is sealed from outside influences. If the mountains thus seal the community from outside world, they are “obstructions” in the way of potential passage.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After many times of being duped by salesmen, Joseph learned to avoid such troubles by being extremely when listening to any made to the purchasing department of his business.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After many times of being duped by salesmen, Joseph learned to avoid such troubles by being extremely when listening to any made to the purchasing department of his business.
Tap to see back →
Someone is "wary" when he or she shows caution in the face of any possibly dangerous situation. Given that he had been duped in the past, it makes sense that Joseph could be said to be wary; however, do not be fooled by the sentence into thinking there should be a negative sense to the second word. There is nothing that implies that any future converse will be negative—even if he is wary. All that we can say is that he is careful when any proposal comes to his company.
Someone is "wary" when he or she shows caution in the face of any possibly dangerous situation. Given that he had been duped in the past, it makes sense that Joseph could be said to be wary; however, do not be fooled by the sentence into thinking there should be a negative sense to the second word. There is nothing that implies that any future converse will be negative—even if he is wary. All that we can say is that he is careful when any proposal comes to his company.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite his original before he had studied, Aaron felt about the upcoming test and knew he would score well.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite his original before he had studied, Aaron felt about the upcoming test and knew he would score well.
Tap to see back →
The two blank words should demonstrate opposing feelings concerning the upcoming test. They should convey that Aaron at first felt unsure that he would do well at first and then believed in his abilities more after he prepared. The only choice that shows this is "misgivings . . . confident."
The two blank words should demonstrate opposing feelings concerning the upcoming test. They should convey that Aaron at first felt unsure that he would do well at first and then believed in his abilities more after he prepared. The only choice that shows this is "misgivings . . . confident."
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Seeking after doing something as as lying to your friends or family should always done if you want forgiveness for such a heinous act.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Seeking after doing something as as lying to your friends or family should always done if you want forgiveness for such a heinous act.
Tap to see back →
The first word should most closely be related to the word “forgiveness” later in the sentence, while the second should be closely related to the word “heinous.” "Absolution . . . reprehensible" is the only answer that fits here.
The first word should most closely be related to the word “forgiveness” later in the sentence, while the second should be closely related to the word “heinous.” "Absolution . . . reprehensible" is the only answer that fits here.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Elizabeth observed every social rule that she had learned growing up, never permitting herself to commit even the mildest of any dictate of these norms.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Elizabeth observed every social rule that she had learned growing up, never permitting herself to commit even the mildest of any dictate of these norms.
Tap to see back →
We cannot say if Elizabeth was “dolorous” in her observation of these rules; however, it is fair to say that obsessive care would lead one to avoiding the mildest breach of conduct; therefore, the best pair is “scrupulously . . . infraction.” (Note that “regularly” just is not quite as strong as “scrupulously”).
A scrupulous person is very attentive to details, often from a fear of doing anything wrong. An "infraction" is a violation. The word is related to other “-fring-” and “-fract-” words like “infringe,” “fracture,” and “fragile”—all related to “breaking” because of their common Latin roots.
We cannot say if Elizabeth was “dolorous” in her observation of these rules; however, it is fair to say that obsessive care would lead one to avoiding the mildest breach of conduct; therefore, the best pair is “scrupulously . . . infraction.” (Note that “regularly” just is not quite as strong as “scrupulously”).
A scrupulous person is very attentive to details, often from a fear of doing anything wrong. An "infraction" is a violation. The word is related to other “-fring-” and “-fract-” words like “infringe,” “fracture,” and “fragile”—all related to “breaking” because of their common Latin roots.
Choose the pair of words that best completes the following sentence.
After he had invested all of his assets in the highly credit markets, Chris became accustomed to living through wild swings of fortune, one week being a complete while being fabulously wealthy the next week.
Choose the pair of words that best completes the following sentence.
After he had invested all of his assets in the highly credit markets, Chris became accustomed to living through wild swings of fortune, one week being a complete while being fabulously wealthy the next week.
Tap to see back →
It is necessary to pay careful attention to both words in this sentence, as there are several tempting options. Based merely on the first blank, it would seem that “erratic,” “variable,” and “mercurial” are all options; however, the second sentence makes a contrast specifically to “fabulously wealthy.”
The word “pauper” fits best in this regard. It is related to words like “poverty,” coming from a related Latin base. The word “erratic” is related to other words like “error” or “errant,” words derived from a Latin base meaning to go astray or mistake. “Erratic” comes more from the go astray meaning (in the sense of wandering).
It is necessary to pay careful attention to both words in this sentence, as there are several tempting options. Based merely on the first blank, it would seem that “erratic,” “variable,” and “mercurial” are all options; however, the second sentence makes a contrast specifically to “fabulously wealthy.”
The word “pauper” fits best in this regard. It is related to words like “poverty,” coming from a related Latin base. The word “erratic” is related to other words like “error” or “errant,” words derived from a Latin base meaning to go astray or mistake. “Erratic” comes more from the go astray meaning (in the sense of wandering).
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the young man believed in the equality of all persons, his outlook did not mesh well with the clear among groups of different persuasions and desires, let alone abilities and financial success.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the young man believed in the equality of all persons, his outlook did not mesh well with the clear among groups of different persuasions and desires, let alone abilities and financial success.
Tap to see back →
So long as you know that “egalitarian” views are those that lead one to judge that all people are equal, you will have an easy time answering this question. Note that the “eg” and the “eq” sounds are actually very close, and that is why this shift occurs in the common base. The second word, “irreducibility” merely means that some given things cannot be explained in terms of another. The “i(r)-” prefix merely indicates a negation of the remaining “reducibility.”
So long as you know that “egalitarian” views are those that lead one to judge that all people are equal, you will have an easy time answering this question. Note that the “eg” and the “eq” sounds are actually very close, and that is why this shift occurs in the common base. The second word, “irreducibility” merely means that some given things cannot be explained in terms of another. The “i(r)-” prefix merely indicates a negation of the remaining “reducibility.”
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although many clubs can remain flexible at the time of their , with the passage of time, they often become as many of their members refuse to alter the original manners of operation.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although many clubs can remain flexible at the time of their , with the passage of time, they often become as many of their members refuse to alter the original manners of operation.
Tap to see back →
The key word is rather inconspicuous: “original.” This helps to give a sense to what precedes the “passage of time.” The “inception” of something is its beginning, and it is related to many “-cep-” and “-cap-” words like “conception,” “reception,” and “exception.” If something is “ossified” it has become hard and inflexible. The meaning is derived from the Latin for bone.
The key word is rather inconspicuous: “original.” This helps to give a sense to what precedes the “passage of time.” The “inception” of something is its beginning, and it is related to many “-cep-” and “-cap-” words like “conception,” “reception,” and “exception.” If something is “ossified” it has become hard and inflexible. The meaning is derived from the Latin for bone.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The acoustics of the large hall made for a spectacular space, echoing the sounds of the concert into a rich of interwoven sounds.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The acoustics of the large hall made for a spectacular space, echoing the sounds of the concert into a rich of interwoven sounds.
Tap to see back →
Although a number of these options seem acceptable at first sight, the word that matches most closely to the first space is “resonant” because the participial clause speaks of how the acoustics of the space “echoed” the sounds. To be “resonant” is to “re + sound” in the sense of making sounds reverberate in an acceptable manner. Likewise, the word “tapestry” well matches the image of “interweaving” used regarding the sounds.
Although a number of these options seem acceptable at first sight, the word that matches most closely to the first space is “resonant” because the participial clause speaks of how the acoustics of the space “echoed” the sounds. To be “resonant” is to “re + sound” in the sense of making sounds reverberate in an acceptable manner. Likewise, the word “tapestry” well matches the image of “interweaving” used regarding the sounds.