Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

The phrases “talking down” and “ignorant children” suggest that the coach’s attitude toward his players was one of patronizing superiority. "Condescending" fits this definition.

The semicolon indicates that a supporting relationship between the two thoughts separated by the semicolon. Here, the superhero said even less about his legendary powers. Thus, only "taciturn" (saying little) fits as an answer choice.

The card dealer suspecting that something is not quite right (“amiss”) suggests that the card player exchanged a secret, sneaky glance with his spotter. Only "furtive" meets this definition.

The word “although” indicates a contrast. Here, the art critics consider the artwork is original; therefore, Tom probably concludes the opposite. The phrase “he had seen similar work before” also suggests that the blank means the opposite of being an original. Only "derivative" (imitative) fits this definition.

Although William’s body is likely to be weak and fainting, all that we are told in the sentence is that he needs to be rehydrated (that is, replenished with regard to fluids, particularly water). In such a case, it would be most appropriate to say that a person is “desiccated,” meaning that he or she is lacking fluid. The word comes from the Latin root for “dry,” but it has few recognizable related words in English. The word can also be used to indicate that one lacks passion or energy.

Although the professor’s words are likely endless and perhaps even academic or scholarly, the sentence wishes to indicate that they were a string of lifeless sources, strung together. If something is (literally) dried out, it is said to be desiccated. By extension, the term “desiccated” is applied to anything that lacks “sap” or vitality, even human words.

Although it might seem that a rigid schedule is difficult, we cannot imply that directly. The word “regimented” best fits the needs of this sentence, meaning “strictly organized in a strict schedule.” The word is related to a number of words for “ruling” such as “regal,” “regent,” and “regalia.”

Since the librarian wants information that is accurate in students' papers, she most likely reminds students to choose credible or trustworthy sources.

Since Robert likes to draw attention to himself with large ceremonies, he could be said to act “pompously.” In an older sense, “pomp” or a “pompous display” would merely mean a large and splendid event. However, the word often implies not only a grand style but likewise that it is meant to draw attention to the one showing said style.

"Potable" means suitable for drinking.

"Onerous" means burdensome.

"Tactful" means skillful at not offending others.

"Hackneyed" means clichéd, or worn out by overuse.

"Superficial" means shallow, or lacking depth.

"Florid" means having a red or flushed complexion. It also can mean flowery or ornate.

"Recalcitrant" means defiant or unapologetic.

The subject of the sentence knows that he is going to cause someone displeasure, therefore he is being mischeivous—"devilish," when used in this context, means the same thing; therefore "devilishly" is the correct answer.

Since the soap dries the skin as it does, it must contain some sort of drying agents. The word “siccific” is a rare English word, but it has related parts that should make it somewhat easier to guess. The suffix “-fic,” as well as the related “-fac” and “-fy”, are all found in many words and means “to do” or “to make.” Think of words like “efficacious,” “defect,” “ramify,” “exemplify,” and many others. The “sicc-” portion of the word is derived from the Latin for “dry,” and is found in the word “desiccate,” meaning “to dry out.” It is often used in the past participle form “desiccated,” meaning “dried out.” The word “siccific,” therefore means “something that acts as a drying agent.”

A religion that posits a strict equivalence between God and the world is known as “pantheistic,” meaning “all-god.” The prefix “pan-” means “all” and is found in words like “pantomime” and “panacea” (the latter meaning “all-healing”). The “-theistic” portion of the word means “related to God or gods” and is related to words like “theology” and “atheist” (meaning “no-God”).