Sentence Completions: Context Clues - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
All of the flowers in the garden during the drought, some bending almost to the ground, but they look a lot healthier since last night's rainstorm.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
All of the flowers in the garden during the drought, some bending almost to the ground, but they look a lot healthier since last night's rainstorm.
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We can tell from the sentence that we're looking for a verb that means something like bent. While "wilted" and "broke" each seem like possible options, "broke" is too strong of a word for the sentence's context, since then we wouldn't be able to explain how the flowers were able to recover after the rainstorm. "Wilted," however, refers to plants and means drooped; because of this, it best fits the context of the sentence and is the correct answer.
We can tell from the sentence that we're looking for a verb that means something like bent. While "wilted" and "broke" each seem like possible options, "broke" is too strong of a word for the sentence's context, since then we wouldn't be able to explain how the flowers were able to recover after the rainstorm. "Wilted," however, refers to plants and means drooped; because of this, it best fits the context of the sentence and is the correct answer.
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When the detective caught the criminal, the criminal tried to pretend he knew nothing about the crime he'd committed, but the detective told him to with the false story and confess.
When the detective caught the criminal, the criminal tried to pretend he knew nothing about the crime he'd committed, but the detective told him to with the false story and confess.
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We can tell from the context of the sentence that the detective wants the criminal to stop trying to lie to him since he knows the truth, so we need to pick out a verb that conveys that. While "ignore," "avoid," or "delete" might each all seem like potentially correct answers because they all are words with negative connotations, only "dispense," which in this context means "manage without; get rid of," fits the context of the sentence. So, "dispense" is the correct answer.
We can tell from the context of the sentence that the detective wants the criminal to stop trying to lie to him since he knows the truth, so we need to pick out a verb that conveys that. While "ignore," "avoid," or "delete" might each all seem like potentially correct answers because they all are words with negative connotations, only "dispense," which in this context means "manage without; get rid of," fits the context of the sentence. So, "dispense" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The vice principal rushed to the lunch room to the food fight, but by the time he restored order, mashed potatoes had been splattered on the ceiling and gravy coated the floor.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The vice principal rushed to the lunch room to the food fight, but by the time he restored order, mashed potatoes had been splattered on the ceiling and gravy coated the floor.
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We can infer from the subject of the sentence that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "stop." "Start" and "encourage" are antonyms of the word we're looking for, so neither of them can be the correct answer. While "pause" might look like a good answer, "pause" implies only a temporary stop, and it seems pretty unlikely that the vice principal would let the food fight start up again. The best answer choice is "quell," a verb that in this context means "put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force."
We can infer from the subject of the sentence that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "stop." "Start" and "encourage" are antonyms of the word we're looking for, so neither of them can be the correct answer. While "pause" might look like a good answer, "pause" implies only a temporary stop, and it seems pretty unlikely that the vice principal would let the food fight start up again. The best answer choice is "quell," a verb that in this context means "put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force."
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Many museum visitors prefer realistic works of art that clearly depict recognizable figures and objects to works comprised of streaks of paint and abstract lines.
Many museum visitors prefer realistic works of art that clearly depict recognizable figures and objects to works comprised of streaks of paint and abstract lines.
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We can infer from the sentence's context that we need to pick out a word for the first blank that means something like "not realistic," because the type of art that the blank describes is being contrasted against "art which clearly depicts recognizable figures and objects." Given that, the best answer choice is "amorphous," an adjective that means "without a clearly defined shape or form."
We can infer from the sentence's context that we need to pick out a word for the first blank that means something like "not realistic," because the type of art that the blank describes is being contrasted against "art which clearly depicts recognizable figures and objects." Given that, the best answer choice is "amorphous," an adjective that means "without a clearly defined shape or form."
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sally showing up to school on Friday with no dramatic change in her appearance the rumors that she had died her hair bright pink for the school play that was premiering that night.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sally showing up to school on Friday with no dramatic change in her appearance the rumors that she had died her hair bright pink for the school play that was premiering that night.
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We can infer that because Sally did not show up to school on Friday with her hair died pink, that it stopped the rumors that she had died her hair. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "stopped." Neither "encouraged" nor "confirmed" can be the correct answer, because Sally did nothing to support the rumors that she had died her hair pink, so neither answer choice makes sense in the sentence's context. "Quash," however, means "put an end to; suppress," so "quashed" is the answer choice that best describes what happened to the rumors, and because "quashed" best fits the context of the sentence, it is the correct answer.
We can infer that because Sally did not show up to school on Friday with her hair died pink, that it stopped the rumors that she had died her hair. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "stopped." Neither "encouraged" nor "confirmed" can be the correct answer, because Sally did nothing to support the rumors that she had died her hair pink, so neither answer choice makes sense in the sentence's context. "Quash," however, means "put an end to; suppress," so "quashed" is the answer choice that best describes what happened to the rumors, and because "quashed" best fits the context of the sentence, it is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Certain dinosaurs like the velociraptor were small and speedy, but others, like the brontosaurus, were enormous, slow, and .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Certain dinosaurs like the velociraptor were small and speedy, but others, like the brontosaurus, were enormous, slow, and .
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The structure of the sentence sets up a contrast between the two dinosaurs, so we can infer that we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "enormous" or "slow" and is the opposite of "small" and "speedy." "Swift," then, cannot be the correct answer because "swift" is a synonym of "speedy," and the sentence already tells us that the brontosaurus was "slow." "Lumbering," however, is a great word to describe the brontosaurus, because "lumbering" means "moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way." Because "lumbering" is the answer choice that best describes the "enormous" and "slow" brontosaurus, "lumbering" is the correct answer.
The structure of the sentence sets up a contrast between the two dinosaurs, so we can infer that we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "enormous" or "slow" and is the opposite of "small" and "speedy." "Swift," then, cannot be the correct answer because "swift" is a synonym of "speedy," and the sentence already tells us that the brontosaurus was "slow." "Lumbering," however, is a great word to describe the brontosaurus, because "lumbering" means "moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way." Because "lumbering" is the answer choice that best describes the "enormous" and "slow" brontosaurus, "lumbering" is the correct answer.
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Jenna does not like spicy foods, so she was ordering the nachos because they came topped with hot salsa, hot sauce, and jalapeño peppers, and ordered a plain cheese quesadilla instead.
Jenna does not like spicy foods, so she was ordering the nachos because they came topped with hot salsa, hot sauce, and jalapeño peppers, and ordered a plain cheese quesadilla instead.
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We know that "Jenna does not like spicy foods" and "ordered a plain cheese quesadilla instead" because the nachos were topped with so many spicy ingredients. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that describes Jenna's action of ordering a different dish. "Dreading" might look like a potentially correct answer, but it doesn't quite make sense in the sentence's context; why would someone dread ordering one dish if they could just decide to order something else? Jenna clearly didn't have to order the nachos - no one made her. So, "dreading" can't be the correct answer. "Dissuade," however, is a verb that means "persuade someone not to take a particular course of action," and because "dissuaded from" best describes Jenna's actions of avoiding the spicy nachos in favor of a less-spicy quesadilla, "dissuaded from" is the correct answer.
We know that "Jenna does not like spicy foods" and "ordered a plain cheese quesadilla instead" because the nachos were topped with so many spicy ingredients. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that describes Jenna's action of ordering a different dish. "Dreading" might look like a potentially correct answer, but it doesn't quite make sense in the sentence's context; why would someone dread ordering one dish if they could just decide to order something else? Jenna clearly didn't have to order the nachos - no one made her. So, "dreading" can't be the correct answer. "Dissuade," however, is a verb that means "persuade someone not to take a particular course of action," and because "dissuaded from" best describes Jenna's actions of avoiding the spicy nachos in favor of a less-spicy quesadilla, "dissuaded from" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While many students gathered huge piles of books to flip through in the library, Gary chose one interesting one and slowly it.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While many students gathered huge piles of books to flip through in the library, Gary chose one interesting one and slowly it.
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Because of the comparative structure of the sentence, we can tell that we need to pick out a verb that has to do with reading and books, but means the opposite of "flip through." So, "skimmed" cannot be the correct answer because to "skim" a book means "to read (something) quickly or cursorily so as to note only the important points," and that is not what Gary is doing in the sentence, since he is going "slowly." "Peruse," however, is a verb that means either "read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way" or "examine carefully or at length," and because it best describes Gary's actions in the sentence, "peruse" is the correct answer.
Because of the comparative structure of the sentence, we can tell that we need to pick out a verb that has to do with reading and books, but means the opposite of "flip through." So, "skimmed" cannot be the correct answer because to "skim" a book means "to read (something) quickly or cursorily so as to note only the important points," and that is not what Gary is doing in the sentence, since he is going "slowly." "Peruse," however, is a verb that means either "read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way" or "examine carefully or at length," and because it best describes Gary's actions in the sentence, "peruse" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old man claimed to be a of rare treasures, but Gareth thought that he was more aptly described as a seller of other people's old junk.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old man claimed to be a of rare treasures, but Gareth thought that he was more aptly described as a seller of other people's old junk.
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We can infer from the structure of the sentence that we need to pick out a noun that means something like "seller," because "Gareth thought that he was more aptly described as a seller of other people's old junk." "Discarder," then, cannot be the correct answer, because a seller wouldn't discard his merchandise. "Purveyor," however, is a noun that means "a person who sells or deals in particular goods," and because "purveyor" best describes the seller in the sentence, "purveyor" is the correct answer.
We can infer from the structure of the sentence that we need to pick out a noun that means something like "seller," because "Gareth thought that he was more aptly described as a seller of other people's old junk." "Discarder," then, cannot be the correct answer, because a seller wouldn't discard his merchandise. "Purveyor," however, is a noun that means "a person who sells or deals in particular goods," and because "purveyor" best describes the seller in the sentence, "purveyor" is the correct answer.
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Even though he had practiced his Spanish presentation for hours the night before, Jeffrey when he got up in front of the class, saying nothing for almost a full minute before he calmed his fear of public speaking and began his presentation.
Even though he had practiced his Spanish presentation for hours the night before, Jeffrey when he got up in front of the class, saying nothing for almost a full minute before he calmed his fear of public speaking and began his presentation.
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We can infer that because the word in the blank occurred "even though" Jeffrey "had practiced his Spanish presentation for hours," we need to pick out a word that means something like "froze" or "was afraid." "Persevered," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "persevere" means "continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success," and wouldn't make sense as describing Jeffrey "saying nothing for almost a full minute." "Quail," however, is a word that when used as a verb, means "feel or show fear or apprehension," and because "quailed" best describes how Jeffrey froze with fear when he got up in front of the class, "quailed" is the correct answer.
We can infer that because the word in the blank occurred "even though" Jeffrey "had practiced his Spanish presentation for hours," we need to pick out a word that means something like "froze" or "was afraid." "Persevered," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "persevere" means "continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success," and wouldn't make sense as describing Jeffrey "saying nothing for almost a full minute." "Quail," however, is a word that when used as a verb, means "feel or show fear or apprehension," and because "quailed" best describes how Jeffrey froze with fear when he got up in front of the class, "quailed" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Toby was initially suspected of being the one who ate most of the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies when no one was looking, but he was when his little brother wandered into the room chewing on the last cookie with chocolate smeared around his mouth.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Toby was initially suspected of being the one who ate most of the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies when no one was looking, but he was when his little brother wandered into the room chewing on the last cookie with chocolate smeared around his mouth.
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We can infer that because Toby's little brother clearly ate the cookies, that Toby was proven innocent when his little brother wandered into the room. So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "proven innocent" for the blank. "Convicted," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "convicted" means "declared to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law," and Toby was not guilty. "Vindicated," however, is a verb that means either "cleared (someone) of blame or suspicion" or "showed or proved to be right, reasonable, or justified," and because "vindicated" best describes how Toby was cleared of suspicion when it was discovered that his brother had eaten the cookies, "vindicated" is the correct answer.
We can infer that because Toby's little brother clearly ate the cookies, that Toby was proven innocent when his little brother wandered into the room. So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "proven innocent" for the blank. "Convicted," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "convicted" means "declared to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law," and Toby was not guilty. "Vindicated," however, is a verb that means either "cleared (someone) of blame or suspicion" or "showed or proved to be right, reasonable, or justified," and because "vindicated" best describes how Toby was cleared of suspicion when it was discovered that his brother had eaten the cookies, "vindicated" is the correct answer.
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Sentence Completions: Select the word that most best completes the sentence.
Some of the marathon runners stopped to drink water or tie their shoes, but she remained , never breaking her pace of seven-minute miles.
Sentence Completions: Select the word that most best completes the sentence.
Some of the marathon runners stopped to drink water or tie their shoes, but she remained , never breaking her pace of seven-minute miles.
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The sentence compares one particular marathon runner to the other runners in the race. They stopped, but she did not. Therefore, she was "steadfast," which means firm and unwavering. None of the other potential answer choices make sense in the blank, so "steadfast" is the correct answer.
The sentence compares one particular marathon runner to the other runners in the race. They stopped, but she did not. Therefore, she was "steadfast," which means firm and unwavering. None of the other potential answer choices make sense in the blank, so "steadfast" is the correct answer.
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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.
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.
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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 like knowledgeable. The word that best fits the sentence's blank is "erudite," which means learned and scholarly. As for the other answer choices, "absent" means not present or missing, "enigmatic" means mysterious, "expansive" means extensive or communicative, and "exultant" means triumphant or delighted.
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 like knowledgeable. The word that best fits the sentence's blank is "erudite," which means learned and scholarly. As for the other answer choices, "absent" means not present or missing, "enigmatic" means mysterious, "expansive" means extensive or communicative, and "exultant" means triumphant or delighted.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The baked chicken was not to the toddler, who spit it out and screamed for pizza.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The baked chicken was not to the toddler, who spit it out and screamed for pizza.
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"Palatable" means acceptable to the taste. The todler found the baked chicken inedible (unacceptable to the taste). The wrong answers are antonyms of "palatable," and while they may initially look correct, the "not" in the sentence tells us that we need to pick out a word that means "tasting good" or at least "acceptable to the taste," not "tasting bad."
"Palatable" means acceptable to the taste. The todler found the baked chicken inedible (unacceptable to the taste). The wrong answers are antonyms of "palatable," and while they may initially look correct, the "not" in the sentence tells us that we need to pick out a word that means "tasting good" or at least "acceptable to the taste," not "tasting bad."
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Skeptical scientists predicted that the researcher's experiments would fail, but the researcher herself felt .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Skeptical scientists predicted that the researcher's experiments would fail, but the researcher herself felt .
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Since the researcher disagrees with the skepticism of the scientists, she would be "optimistic" - hopeful and confident - about her experiments. None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "indifferent" means apathetic, "doubtful" means skeptical, "expressive" means expressing emotion, and "poor" means lacking money.
Since the researcher disagrees with the skepticism of the scientists, she would be "optimistic" - hopeful and confident - about her experiments. None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "indifferent" means apathetic, "doubtful" means skeptical, "expressive" means expressing emotion, and "poor" means lacking money.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The magician amazed the spectators by making the rabbit disappear, although it was merely under the table.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The magician amazed the spectators by making the rabbit disappear, although it was merely under the table.
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In order to appear to have disappared, the rabbit must be hidden from sight under the table. The correct answer is "concealed," which is a synonym of "hidden." None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "discovered," when used as an adjective, is an antonym of "concealed" and means revealed or exposed; "compiled" means put together; "drenched" means soaked; and "visible" is another antonym of "concealed," and means able to be seen.
In order to appear to have disappared, the rabbit must be hidden from sight under the table. The correct answer is "concealed," which is a synonym of "hidden." None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "discovered," when used as an adjective, is an antonym of "concealed" and means revealed or exposed; "compiled" means put together; "drenched" means soaked; and "visible" is another antonym of "concealed," and means able to be seen.
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Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The book, despite rejection from some critics, met almost universal when it was first published.
Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The book, despite rejection from some critics, met almost universal when it was first published.
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Since the book received something that is the opposite of rejection from some critics, the correct choice is "acclaim", which means praise. None of the other answer choices have anything to do with the sentence's context: "frenzy" means panic, "parapet" refers to a short wall that encloses a raised part of a building, "lull" means pause or respite, and "criticism" means censure or denunciation.
Since the book received something that is the opposite of rejection from some critics, the correct choice is "acclaim", which means praise. None of the other answer choices have anything to do with the sentence's context: "frenzy" means panic, "parapet" refers to a short wall that encloses a raised part of a building, "lull" means pause or respite, and "criticism" means censure or denunciation.
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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.
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.
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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 means showing no mercy or violent. To help you, "benevolent" means good-natured, "supple" means flexible, "intelligent" means smart, and "gregarious" means sociable.
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 means showing no mercy or violent. To help you, "benevolent" means good-natured, "supple" means flexible, "intelligent" means smart, and "gregarious" means sociable.
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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.
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.
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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 means nervous and cautious. To further help you, "enamored" means in love with; "passive" means restrained or not aggressive; "rage" means anger; "effusive" means demonstrative.
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 means nervous and cautious. To further help you, "enamored" means in love with; "passive" means restrained or not aggressive; "rage" means anger; "effusive" means demonstrative.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
It was far from a(n) situation; we were surrounded by enemies on all sides and running low on food and water.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
It was far from a(n) situation; we were surrounded by enemies on all sides and running low on food and water.
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The situation described in the second clause is very negative, which means the blank word must mean something opposite to the negative situation. The correct answer is "ideal,” which means perfect. To further help you, "fruitful" and "abundant" are two words that both describe something there is plenty of.
The situation described in the second clause is very negative, which means the blank word must mean something opposite to the negative situation. The correct answer is "ideal,” which means perfect. To further help you, "fruitful" and "abundant" are two words that both describe something there is plenty of.
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