Sentence Completions: Parts of Speech - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

If the subject was able to jump perfectly to catch the ball it makes sense that he was able to expect, foresee where the ball was going to be. The correct answer then is "anticipated." To "anticipate" means to be aware that something is happening right before it happens. Additionally, "hypnotize" means put to sleep; "proliferate" means spread wildly; "sully" means ruin the reputation of; "breach" means get past the barriers of.

If the speaker wanted to be heard it makes sense that he would yell loudly at everyone. The correct answer is therefore "bellowed." Additionally, "scowled" means frowned angrily at; "wafted" means moved slowly through the air, carried by a gentle breeze; "confounded" means confused and surprised; "abolished" means got rid of.

If the child ended up falling to the ground it makes sense that they were trying to either get on, ride, or get off the pony. The correct answer is therefore "dismount" which means get off of, get down from. Additionally, "dovetail" means fit together perfectly; "pilfer" means steal from, plunder; "shun" means ignore, banish; "infuse" means fill with, put into.

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these is an action the king's brother might take with regard to the throne. The correct answer is "usurp" which means take control of, take power from. Additionally, "goad" means encourage, 'egg on'; "succor" means provide relief for; "masticate" means chew; "vex" means confuse and annoy.

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that relates to training through punishment. The correct answer is "disciplined." Additionally, to "endure" means to put up with, to tolerate; "malign" means criticize; "originate" means come from, begin; "compensated" means paid for some work or suffering.

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes people lying about someone, it makes sense that the correct answer is a verb that means to ruin, to spoil, to damage the integrity of. The correct answer is therefore "sully." Additionally, "diffuse" means spread out from a central point; "breach" means pass through a barrier, overcome a fortress; "resort" means turn to; "ingratiate" means make oneself fit in within a new group.

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means pay attention to, or "heed." To "heed" means to listen to a warning or advice. Additionally, "penalize" means punish for some wrongdoing; "embellish" means add detail to, decorate, exaggerate; "meddle" means interfere with; "adjust" means alter, change.

Which of these verbs describes something a group might do in response to the protests of another group? The correct answer is "acquiesce" which means give in to the demands of, accept the conditions of. Additionally, "acclaim" means widely praise; "devastate" means completely destroy; "entice" means tempt, lure and trap; "ransack" means search wildly, destroy in a chaotic manner.

To begin with "secluded" means private, away from others, protected. So, which of these is a verb that describes fixing a boat in one place? The correct answer is "anchored." To "anchor" means to fix in place. Additionally, "squander" means waste; "venerate" means deeply respect; "admonish" means scold, punish, yell at; "confound" means confuse, bewilder.

The officials made a "joint" decision, so they must have talked about a decision together or "conferred." To "confer" either means to give a distinction to or to discuss opinions about. Additionally, "infuse" means inject with, fill with, put into; "dissuade" means convince someone to change their mind; "quell" means subdue, bring to an end, put down; "proliferate" means spread wildly.

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means to stay behind, to wait around. So, the correct answer is "linger." Additionally, "indict" means accuse of committing a crime; "purport" means claim to be, lie about being; "hurtle" means move rapidly and recklessly; "chortle" means laugh, giggle.

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must relate to a bird singing. So, the correct answer is "warbling." To "warble" means to sing like a bird. Additionally, to "efface" means to erase; "falter" means struggle, to be delayed by an obstacle; "monitor" means watch, observe; "bluff" means to trick and lie based on false confidence.

If someone received a warning it would most likely be telling them to stop, cease, abstain from downloading any illegal music. So, the correct answer is to "desist." Additionally, "facilitate" means provide help that allows something to happen; "trudge" means move slowly and ponderously; "alight" means get down from, disembark; "condone" means allow, offer support for.

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must be a verb that describes the hurried, excited movement of a large group of people. The correct answer is therefore "bustled." To "bustle" is to move in an energetic, excited, or hurried manner. Additionally, "beguile" means charm; "retaliate" means fight back; "befuddle" means confuse, bewilder; "stifle" means restrain, smother, hold back.

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means something like pay for, cover the expense of. So, the correct answer is "defray." Additionally, "ensnare" means trap; "enroll" means sign up for, become a member of; "surmount" means overcome, get passed to achieve success; "recite" means speak publicly from memory, speak aloud something being read.

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes an old man's long battle with disease, you are looking for an adjective that means lasting for a long amount of time, happening repeatedly for a long time, eternal. So, the correct answer is "perennial." Additionally, "terse" means concise, brief, to the point; "opaque" means not transparent, not able to be seen through; "ramshackle" means in poor condition, falling down; "intriguing" means interesting, fascinating.

You are told that the sword was recently polished so it makes sense that it would be shining, sparkling in the sunlight. So, the correct answer is "gleaming." Additionally, "consolidate" means bring together, organize into a smaller amount; "mentor" means provide advice and guidance to; "lecture" means speak with authority to an audience about a topic; "depict" means draw, represent, show.

The fact that the group " . . . did not always trust . . . " the man suggests that his judgment must be inconsistent, unreliable, or "erratic." Additionally, "eminent" means famous, well-regarded within a certain area; "predisposed" means already inclined towards liking, preferring because of a previous experience; "hospitable" means welcoming; "winsome" means attractive, charming.

Which of these is an adjective that describes a trait that might embarrass someone if their partner did not possess? The correct answer is being "tactful." "Tactful" means polite, knowing what to say and what not to say. Additionally, "applicable" means relevant, able to be applied to this situation; "abject" means miserable and hopeless; "inept" means not skilled, incapable; "cantankerous" means bad-tempered, grumpy.