Verbs - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning
Card 1 of 1140
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
One percussionist's job was to strike the gong at a specific point during the symphony, and let it so that the sound continued for a long time.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
One percussionist's job was to strike the gong at a specific point during the symphony, and let it so that the sound continued for a long time.
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We can infer from the sentence that the percussionist let the gong continue to make noise at a certain point in the symphony, so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that means something like "make noise." "Quiet," then, cannot be the correct answer, because as a verb, "quiet" means "make or become silent, calm, or still," which does not describe the gong in the sentence as the gong continues to make noise. "Resonate," however, is a verb that means "produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound," or in other words, "to continue to produce a loud, clear, deep sound for a long time." Because "resonate" is the answer choice that best describes the gong's continual noisemaking in the sentence and best fits the context of the sentence, "resonate" is the correct answer.
We can infer from the sentence that the percussionist let the gong continue to make noise at a certain point in the symphony, so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that means something like "make noise." "Quiet," then, cannot be the correct answer, because as a verb, "quiet" means "make or become silent, calm, or still," which does not describe the gong in the sentence as the gong continues to make noise. "Resonate," however, is a verb that means "produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound," or in other words, "to continue to produce a loud, clear, deep sound for a long time." Because "resonate" is the answer choice that best describes the gong's continual noisemaking in the sentence and best fits the context of the sentence, "resonate" is the correct answer.
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When the student realized that he forgot his homework at home, he a story that involved the wind blowing his completed homework out of his hands on the way to school, several trucks running over it in the road, and then a pack of wild wolves tearing its pages apart; needless to say, his teacher didn't believe him.
When the student realized that he forgot his homework at home, he a story that involved the wind blowing his completed homework out of his hands on the way to school, several trucks running over it in the road, and then a pack of wild wolves tearing its pages apart; needless to say, his teacher didn't believe him.
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We can infer from the sentence that the student made up the story about how his homework got lost, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "made up" or "invented" and can refer to stories. While "iterated" may look like a potentially correct answer because it can have to do with speech, "iterate" means "perform or utter repeatedly," so it doesn't fit the context of the sentence because we aren't told that the student repeated his story. So, "iterated" cannot be the correct answer. "Concocted," however, means "created or devised," and is specifically used of stories or plans. Because "concocted" is the answer choice that best describes the student making up the story and best fits the context of the sentence, "concocted" is the correct answer.
We can infer from the sentence that the student made up the story about how his homework got lost, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "made up" or "invented" and can refer to stories. While "iterated" may look like a potentially correct answer because it can have to do with speech, "iterate" means "perform or utter repeatedly," so it doesn't fit the context of the sentence because we aren't told that the student repeated his story. So, "iterated" cannot be the correct answer. "Concocted," however, means "created or devised," and is specifically used of stories or plans. Because "concocted" is the answer choice that best describes the student making up the story and best fits the context of the sentence, "concocted" is the correct answer.
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The child her security blanket and took it with her wherever she went, snuggling it every so often to convey how much she treasured it.
The child her security blanket and took it with her wherever she went, snuggling it every so often to convey how much she treasured it.
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We can infer from the sentence that the child really liked her security blanket, because she "took it wherever she went" and "snuggl\[ed\] it every so often to convey how much she treasured it." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that means something like "treasured." "Despised" cannot be the correct answer, then, because despised means "felt contempt or a deep repugnance for," making it an antonym of "treasured." "Cherished," however, is a verb that can mean "hold something dear," and because "cherished" is the answer choice that best describes the child's attachment to her security blanket, it is the correct answer.
We can infer from the sentence that the child really liked her security blanket, because she "took it wherever she went" and "snuggl\[ed\] it every so often to convey how much she treasured it." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that means something like "treasured." "Despised" cannot be the correct answer, then, because despised means "felt contempt or a deep repugnance for," making it an antonym of "treasured." "Cherished," however, is a verb that can mean "hold something dear," and because "cherished" is the answer choice that best describes the child's attachment to her security blanket, it is the correct answer.
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The spy managed to the secrets out of the governor by flattering him.
The spy managed to the secrets out of the governor by flattering him.
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We need to pick out a word that means something like "coax," because we know that the spy used flattery to get the governor to tell him the secrets. "Wheedle" is a verb that means "employ endearments or flattery to persuade someone to do something or give one something," and when used with an object ("wheedle something out of") like in the sentence, "coax or persuade someone to say or give something." Of the possible answer choices, "wheedle" best describes how the spy used flattery to obtain the secrets from the governor, so "wheedle" is the correct answer.
We need to pick out a word that means something like "coax," because we know that the spy used flattery to get the governor to tell him the secrets. "Wheedle" is a verb that means "employ endearments or flattery to persuade someone to do something or give one something," and when used with an object ("wheedle something out of") like in the sentence, "coax or persuade someone to say or give something." Of the possible answer choices, "wheedle" best describes how the spy used flattery to obtain the secrets from the governor, so "wheedle" is the correct answer.
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The jetpack the stuntman high into the sky, and straight into a cloud.
The jetpack the stuntman high into the sky, and straight into a cloud.
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We can infer from the sentence that we need to pick out an answer choice that describes movement and means something like "flew" or "took," because the stuntman's jetpack takes him "high into the sky, and straight into a cloud." So, "sank" cannot be the correct answer, because while it describes movement, "sank" specifically describes downward movement, which wouldn't make sense in the sentence's context. "Propelled," however, is a verb that means "drove, pushed, or caused to move in a particular direction, typically forward," and because "propelled" best describes the how the stuntman's jetpack caused him to move into the sky, "propelled" is the correct answer.
We can infer from the sentence that we need to pick out an answer choice that describes movement and means something like "flew" or "took," because the stuntman's jetpack takes him "high into the sky, and straight into a cloud." So, "sank" cannot be the correct answer, because while it describes movement, "sank" specifically describes downward movement, which wouldn't make sense in the sentence's context. "Propelled," however, is a verb that means "drove, pushed, or caused to move in a particular direction, typically forward," and because "propelled" best describes the how the stuntman's jetpack caused him to move into the sky, "propelled" is the correct answer.
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Part of the janitor's job is to the physical appearance of the building, and includes tasks like watering the flowers, mowing the front lawn, and removing weeds from the stone path.
Part of the janitor's job is to the physical appearance of the building, and includes tasks like watering the flowers, mowing the front lawn, and removing weeds from the stone path.
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We know that the janitor's job involves "tasks like watering the flowers, mowing the front lawn, and removing weeds from the stone path," so we can infer that he keeps the building in good condition. So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "keep in good condition." That means that "ruin" cannot be the correct answer, because "ruin" is an antonym of "keep in good condition." "Maintain," however, is a verb that means "keep (a building, machine, or road) in good condition or in working order by checking or repairing it regularly," and because "maintain" best describes the janitor's job, "maintain" is the correct answer.
We know that the janitor's job involves "tasks like watering the flowers, mowing the front lawn, and removing weeds from the stone path," so we can infer that he keeps the building in good condition. So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "keep in good condition." That means that "ruin" cannot be the correct answer, because "ruin" is an antonym of "keep in good condition." "Maintain," however, is a verb that means "keep (a building, machine, or road) in good condition or in working order by checking or repairing it regularly," and because "maintain" best describes the janitor's job, "maintain" is the correct answer.
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The reason the race car driver did not win that race is because his car for ten seconds at the starting line, or at least that's what his fans say.
The reason the race car driver did not win that race is because his car for ten seconds at the starting line, or at least that's what his fans say.
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We can infer that the race car driver's car paused for ten seconds at the starting line, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "paused." "Drove" and "zoomed" may each be words associated with racing and cars, but neither can be the correct answer because they are each an antonym of "paused." "Stalled," however, is a verb that when used of a motor vehicle or its engine, means "stop running, typically because of an overload on the engine." So, "stalled" is the correct answer because it best fits the context of the sentence.
We can infer that the race car driver's car paused for ten seconds at the starting line, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "paused." "Drove" and "zoomed" may each be words associated with racing and cars, but neither can be the correct answer because they are each an antonym of "paused." "Stalled," however, is a verb that when used of a motor vehicle or its engine, means "stop running, typically because of an overload on the engine." So, "stalled" is the correct answer because it best fits the context of the sentence.
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Science fiction stories often involve robots who are so advanced that they can with humans and not miss even the most subtle social cues during the conversation.
Science fiction stories often involve robots who are so advanced that they can with humans and not miss even the most subtle social cues during the conversation.
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Because of the phrase "during the conversation," we can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "have a conversation with." "Ignore," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "ignore" is an antonym of "have a conversation with." "Interact," however, is a verb that means "act in such a way as to have an effect on another; act reciprocally," or in other words, "to talk or do things with other people," so "interact" is the correct answer because it best describes how the robots can converse with humans and best fits the context of the sentence.
Because of the phrase "during the conversation," we can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "have a conversation with." "Ignore," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "ignore" is an antonym of "have a conversation with." "Interact," however, is a verb that means "act in such a way as to have an effect on another; act reciprocally," or in other words, "to talk or do things with other people," so "interact" is the correct answer because it best describes how the robots can converse with humans and best fits the context of the sentence.
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Jaime rushed his cat to the vet when he thought it had all of his Halloween candy, but it turned out that it was his sister, not his cat, who had eaten it when he wasn't looking, so his cat was just fine.
Jaime rushed his cat to the vet when he thought it had all of his Halloween candy, but it turned out that it was his sister, not his cat, who had eaten it when he wasn't looking, so his cat was just fine.
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We can infer that Jaime thought that his cat had eaten all of his Halloween candy, because "it turned out that it was his sister, not his cat, who had eaten it." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "ate." "Coughed up," then, cannot be the correct answer because "coughed up" is an antonym of "ate." "Ingested," however, means "took (food, drink, or another substance) into the body by swallowing or absorbing it," and because "ingested" best describe how Jaime thought his cat ate his Halloween candy, "ingested" is the correct answer.
We can infer that Jaime thought that his cat had eaten all of his Halloween candy, because "it turned out that it was his sister, not his cat, who had eaten it." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "ate." "Coughed up," then, cannot be the correct answer because "coughed up" is an antonym of "ate." "Ingested," however, means "took (food, drink, or another substance) into the body by swallowing or absorbing it," and because "ingested" best describe how Jaime thought his cat ate his Halloween candy, "ingested" is the correct answer.
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Lauren was sad to find that the party she had been looking forward to attending was due to the snowstorm, but she thought it was a smart idea to cancel it until then next week so no one got in a car accident on the icy roads.
Lauren was sad to find that the party she had been looking forward to attending was due to the snowstorm, but she thought it was a smart idea to cancel it until then next week so no one got in a car accident on the icy roads.
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We know that the party Lauren was excited about was canceled until the next week because of the weather, so we need to pick out a verb that means "reschedule for a later date." "Held," then, cannot be the correct answer, because if the party had been held, it would not have been canceled, and we know it was canceled. "Postponed," however, is a verb that means "caused or arranged for (something) to take place at a time later than that first scheduled," and because "postponed" best describes how the party was rescheduled, "postponed" is the correct answer.
We know that the party Lauren was excited about was canceled until the next week because of the weather, so we need to pick out a verb that means "reschedule for a later date." "Held," then, cannot be the correct answer, because if the party had been held, it would not have been canceled, and we know it was canceled. "Postponed," however, is a verb that means "caused or arranged for (something) to take place at a time later than that first scheduled," and because "postponed" best describes how the party was rescheduled, "postponed" is the correct answer.
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Certain birds first eat insects or fish and then return to their nests to what they have eaten so that their young can eat what they've coughed up.
Certain birds first eat insects or fish and then return to their nests to what they have eaten so that their young can eat what they've coughed up.
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We can infer from the sentence that we need to pick out a verb that means something like "cough up something that has been eaten." So, "imbibe" cannot be the correct answer because "imbibe" means "drink," and the sentence is talking about food, and specifically a bird coughing food back up after it has eaten it. "Regurgitate," a verb that means "bring (swallowed food) up again to the mouth," best describes how the birds cough up food they have eaten to feed their young, so "regurgitate" is the correct answer.
We can infer from the sentence that we need to pick out a verb that means something like "cough up something that has been eaten." So, "imbibe" cannot be the correct answer because "imbibe" means "drink," and the sentence is talking about food, and specifically a bird coughing food back up after it has eaten it. "Regurgitate," a verb that means "bring (swallowed food) up again to the mouth," best describes how the birds cough up food they have eaten to feed their young, so "regurgitate" is the correct answer.
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The two students asked for permission to one science project together instead of generating two individual projects while each worked by herself.
The two students asked for permission to one science project together instead of generating two individual projects while each worked by herself.
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We know that the word that fits the blank describes a science project that the students want to work on together, so we need to pick out a word that can refer to academic projects and means "work together on something." While "collaborate on" and "copy" could both be used in relation to academic projects, "copy" cannot be the correct answer because copying a project would be cheating, and so we can infer that the students wouldn't ask their teacher's permission to cheat. However, "collaborate on" makes sense in the sentence's context because "collaborate" means "work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something," so "collaborate" is the correct answer.
We know that the word that fits the blank describes a science project that the students want to work on together, so we need to pick out a word that can refer to academic projects and means "work together on something." While "collaborate on" and "copy" could both be used in relation to academic projects, "copy" cannot be the correct answer because copying a project would be cheating, and so we can infer that the students wouldn't ask their teacher's permission to cheat. However, "collaborate on" makes sense in the sentence's context because "collaborate" means "work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something," so "collaborate" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
After Nigel accidentally smashed his sister's sandcastle, he her for his mistake by offering her half of his ice cream sandwich as an apology.
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
After Nigel accidentally smashed his sister's sandcastle, he her for his mistake by offering her half of his ice cream sandwich as an apology.
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We know that Nigel "offer\[ed\] his sister half of his ice cream sandwich as an apology," so we need to pick out a word for the blank that means something like "gave something to someone in order to apologize." "Compensated" is a verb that means ": to give money or something else of value to someone in return for something (such as work) or as payment for something lost or damaged," so it is the correct answer because it best fits the sentence's context.
We know that Nigel "offer\[ed\] his sister half of his ice cream sandwich as an apology," so we need to pick out a word for the blank that means something like "gave something to someone in order to apologize." "Compensated" is a verb that means ": to give money or something else of value to someone in return for something (such as work) or as payment for something lost or damaged," so it is the correct answer because it best fits the sentence's context.
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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.
The car forward when the new driver put his foot on the gas pedal.
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.
The car forward when the new driver put his foot on the gas pedal.
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The key to this sentence is noting that the driver was new and therefore presumably jerky in his movements. Thus, the new driver probably lurched foward.
The key to this sentence is noting that the driver was new and therefore presumably jerky in his movements. Thus, the new driver probably lurched foward.
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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.
Intimidated by her competitors and unwilling to continue on as a candidate for class president of the senior class, Jen her candidacy.
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.
Intimidated by her competitors and unwilling to continue on as a candidate for class president of the senior class, Jen her candidacy.
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Since Jen did not wish to continue as a candidate, this means that she withdrew her candidacy.
Since Jen did not wish to continue as a candidate, this means that she withdrew her candidacy.
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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.
In order to her brother in the game of hide and seek, Lena strategized beforehand.
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.
In order to her brother in the game of hide and seek, Lena strategized beforehand.
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Lena wants to win the game of hide and seek and therefore wants to deceive or outwit her brother.
Lena wants to win the game of hide and seek and therefore wants to deceive or outwit her brother.
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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.
In order to---that she would do well on the exam, Theresa diligently studied the course material.
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.
In order to---that she would do well on the exam, Theresa diligently studied the course material.
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In this sentence, the key is finding the best answer choice; in this case, she wants to ensure or make sure she does well on the exam, therefore she extensively studies for the exam.
In this sentence, the key is finding the best answer choice; in this case, she wants to ensure or make sure she does well on the exam, therefore she extensively studies for the exam.
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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.
In order to---herself from the sun and keep herself from getting a sunburn, she wore a wide-brimmed sun hat at the beach.
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.
In order to---herself from the sun and keep herself from getting a sunburn, she wore a wide-brimmed sun hat at the beach.
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The only accurate choice among the answer choices is shield since it means to protect. Since she doesn't want a sunburn, she needs to shield herself from the sun.
The only accurate choice among the answer choices is shield since it means to protect. Since she doesn't want a sunburn, she needs to shield herself from the sun.
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Because people think that Judy so closely a famous movie star, she is often stopped and asked for autographs because people mistake her for her famous counterpart.
Because people think that Judy so closely a famous movie star, she is often stopped and asked for autographs because people mistake her for her famous counterpart.
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We can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "looks like," because Judy is often "asked for autographs because people mistake her for her famous counterpart." "Resembles" is a verb which means "has qualities or features, especially those of appearance, in common with someone or something; looks or seems like." "Resembles" is the correct answer because it best fits the context of the sentence.
We can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "looks like," because Judy is often "asked for autographs because people mistake her for her famous counterpart." "Resembles" is a verb which means "has qualities or features, especially those of appearance, in common with someone or something; looks or seems like." "Resembles" is the correct answer because it best fits the context of the sentence.
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Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
Melissa carefully over the edge of the well in an attempt to see how deep it went into the earth, but she couldn't see the bottom.
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
Melissa carefully over the edge of the well in an attempt to see how deep it went into the earth, but she couldn't see the bottom.
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Because we know that whatever Melissa did, it was part of "an attempt to see how deep \[the well\] went into the earth, but she couldn't see the bottom," we can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice that has something to do with sight and specifically means "looked." "Peered," a verb that means "looked keenly or with difficulty at someone or something," best fits the context of the sentence, so it is the correct answer.
Because we know that whatever Melissa did, it was part of "an attempt to see how deep \[the well\] went into the earth, but she couldn't see the bottom," we can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice that has something to do with sight and specifically means "looked." "Peered," a verb that means "looked keenly or with difficulty at someone or something," best fits the context of the sentence, so it is the correct answer.
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