Parts of Speech in Word-Based Sentence Completions - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

If the sled was hard to steer, it makes sense that Tim might nearly hit or crash into a tree, so you need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "hit." "Collided" is a verb that means impacted while moving, so "collided" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices make sense in the blank: "veered" means turned sharply while moving, and while one might talk about someone on a sled "veering away" from a tree, one would not "veer with" a tree. "Crashed" may look like a good answer, but one does not "crash with" a thing; one "crashes into" a thing. Neither "jumped" (hopped or leapt off of the ground) nor "slid" (glided or skated) make sense in the sentence's blank either.

The subject of this sentence left his bag alone at the airport and then the airport security did something to him. Based on this information you can reasonably infer that the correct answer must mean something like held by the authorities. The correct answer is therefore "detained." "Detained" means held by the authorities against one's will, imprisoned, taken into custody. Additionally, to "maim" means to injure, to wound, to deform; "fostered" means encouraged, promoted, helped the development of; "hoisted" means lifted up above one's head; "inspired" means motivated, to have caused someone to want to do something.

This question is definitely trying to give you a number of wrong options to tempt you into choosing a word that basically sounds right. The astronaut is going to come back home. While this will require relocation, this is not the best option. Likewise, it is possible that his commanders are "recalling" him or her home; however, that is the commanders' action, not his or hers! The simple word "return" is actually the best. It just means "to come back." That is all that is implied by this sentence, so it is all that is needed!

It seems that the shopper has many options for jelly. Therefore, he can think about them for some time. While this would require him to "reflect on" his options, the word "reflect" does not fit into the sentence grammatically. The best option is "consider," which means to think about so that a decision can be made. This is exactly what the shopper must do before buying any one jelly.

Likely, the doctor is making a recommendation to the patient. It really would be a bit of overkill to say that he or she announced it to the patient. Likewise, it is not a matter of the doctor inquiring for the patient to eat more vegetables. The word "inquire" can mean "ask," but it means this in the sense of "to look into." This is not correct. The doctor's recommendation could also be called a suggestion. Thus, "suggested" is the best option.

The sentence is discussing the general tendency for commercials to be a given way. When something "tends" to something, it generally or often does so. For instance, if you were to say, "I tend to go to bed at 10 PM," this would mean that you generally go to bed then. Of course, some times you go to bed earlier or later. This is all that the sentence is trying to say about the tendencies of television commercials.

The general idea is that Elizabeth can't exactly "put her finger" on her reason for thinking that something bad had happened. Nevertheless, she has a "sense" that there was something wrong. To "sense" something does not just mean that you see or smell it. It also can mean that you have some general idea that something is the case. If you think that someone doesn't like your answer to a question, you might say, "I sense that you don't like my answer." This does not mean that you are sure that they don't like it. It just means that you are picking up on something that they are doing or saying that makes you think that they do not like it.

If food was "rotten" (spoiled, no longer edible) then it makes sense that the speaker would have to throw it away. The correct answer then is "discard" which means throw away, get rid of. Additionally, "haul" means carry or transport over long distances; "announce" means say publicly; "annihilate" means completely destroy; "ponder" means think about.

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these words most likely represents something the man would do when faced with a problem. The correct answer then is "locate" which means find the exact location of. Additionally, "retort" means answer back, reply; "tremble" means shake (usually with fear); "exaggerate" means overstate, make more intense; "astonish" means shock, surprise, and inspire awe.

It makes sense that at the end of an evening a campfire would be put out. So, the correct answer is "extinguished." To "extinguish" means to put out a fire. Additionally, "imitated" means copied; "deluded" means fooled, tricked; "lamented" means mourned, expressed sorrow about; "revealed" means shown, taken out of hiding.

You are told that the crabs are moving quickly so the only acceptable answer is the one that reflects this. The correct answer is therefore "scurried." To "scurry" means to move about in a quick and hurried manner. All the other words are loosely synonyms of one another, and they all mean to move slowly.

Seeing as the subjects of this sentence are said to be in love and leaving one another's company it makes sense that they would hug or "embrace." "Embrace" can mean either to hug or to accept an idea. Additionally, "isolated" means alone, separated from others; "complained" means expressed irritation with, moaned; "merged" means came together, blended, combined; "concocted" means made, invented, came up with.

If the subject asked her to teacher to help her understand it stands to reason that she originally could not understand the material. The correct answer is therefore "fathom" which means understand, comprehend. Additionally, "recollect" means recall, remember; "ascend" means go up and "descend" means go down; "restrain" means hold back, tie down.

You are told that the subject is very sad and at a funeral so it would make sense for him not to be able to stop crying. The correct answer is therefore "weeping" which means to cry intensely. Additionally, "giggling" means laughing; "estimating" means guessing; "dodging" means avoiding, getting out of the way of.

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer means something like a reasoned argument. The correct answer is therefore "debate." A "debate" is a formalized discussion in which two people present opposing arguments. Additionally, a "rebellion" is an act of resistance, refusing to follow the rules, or trying to overthrow the government; a "hindrance" is something that gets in the way, an obstacle; an "ailment" is a sickness; an "outcome" is a result.

The speaker of this sentence wants to seem more professional so it makes sense that they would want to change or "alter" their appearance. "Alter" means change, edit, adjust. Additionally, "attend" means be present at, go to; to "accompany" means to go with someone; "attach" means join, connect to; "accommodate" means help, assist, meet the needs of.

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must mean something like chosen, elected, nominated. The correct answer is therefore "appointed." To "appoint" someone means to choose or elect them, to nominate them for a position. Additionally, to "resume" means to continue; to "prevent" means to stop from happening; to "merge" means to blend, to combine, to come together; to "motivate" means to inspire, to cause someone to want to do something.

If the girl carries her blanket everywhere with her it makes sense that she loves it, values it highly, or "cherishes" it." To "cherish" means to love deeply. The other four answer choices are all loosely synonyms of one another, they mean hate. As in, "I detest being cold" or "I abhor the winter because it is so cold."

The subject of this sentence wants to keep working, but he notices that everyone else is tired and wants to stop, therefore he logically gives in, changes his mind and accepts the situation. The correct answer is therefore "relented." To "relent" means to give up, to give in, to accept a situation and stop trying to change it. Additionally, "exaggerate" means make more intense, make worse; "lionize" means praise heavily; "eradicate" means get rid of, destroy; "execute" means kill, kill with the backing of the law.