Nouns in One-Blank Sentences - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

"Kudos" means congratulations or praise. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order. "Acumen" means ability to understand or reason, acuity, or ingenuity. "Maxim" means a saying or a proverb.

This question asks for a word that means that Julie had the ability to do well. The word closest in meaning to ability is competence.

"Probity" means honesty or integrity. "Philanthropy" means charity or generosity . "Guile" means slyness or cleverness. "Efficacy" means effectiveness or productiveness. "Anachronism" means error in time placement.

People with doctorate degrees have had a large amount of education and knowledge. This would mean that they have an expertise in studying the brain. (The prefix "neuro" means brain).

Since the girl is afraid of the dark, it would be very important to bring a flashlight on Halloween. This importance is stressed by the sentence's use of "absolute." The only answer choice that conveys this sense of importance is "necessity," making it the correct answer.

Richard’s refusal to join the others means he is set apart from the group, which is the opposite meaning of "participant," "follower," "devotee," and unrelated in meaning to the word "sluggard." "Maverick" is the correct answer.

The sentence makes it clear that the chef does not like Japanese restaurants, therefore he clearly has a problem with Asian cuisine. Of the available answer choices, only aversion gives the correct meaning.

The key word here is “formalized action.” A “ritual” is not merely a religious action but instead can apply to any kind of sequence of actions that are done according to a certain prescribed order. The word is related to other words like “rite” and “ritualistic.”

The activities were clearly stopped by the principal to make the groups behave. Encouragement, valuation, and endorsement do not fit the sentence, while approbation is not quite strong enough. Only "moratorium" means placing a full stop on activities.

The actions resulting from his athletic experiences indicate he was clumsy. Only “maladroitness” means clumsy, while all the other choices are antonyms for "clumsy."

While all the answer choices indicate some measure of ill feeling, only “animosity” indicates the correct seriousness. “Antipathy” and “coolness” indicate a carelessness, while “impatience” does not have an appropriate level of seriousness. "Harmony" means the exact opposite of ill feeling.

Since the sentence is not general about the kind of math problem involved, the best answer will be that one which is most general. Therefore, the option “elements” best fits, for it can mean merely “the smallest part” of something, unable to be broken down any further. This can apply to anything, not merely the so-called chemical elements. All of the other options imply more specificity than is needed here.

Although the sentence might seem strange, still it clearly states that Patrick had never experienced love at all; therefore, he cannot merely be said to have no opinion or assessment of it but instead must be said to have “no idea at all” concerning it. To this end, the word “conception” is the best option, for it can mean a “mental idea.” The word often is used to describe the process of becoming pregnant, but its older philosophical usage aligns more directly with the notion of the mind being united with the thing known, as is reflected in the literal translation from Latin: “to take (-ception) with (con-).”

The opening phrase, “Once cordial,” indicates that the appropriate answer choice must be an antonym to “cordial,” which means warmth and good feeling. Of all the answer choices, only “antagonism” conveys the appropriate meaning of rivalry or even hatred.

Since the deed is described as being courageous, we know that Odo was not insane in his undertaking. Likewise, it does not make much sense to say that he showed his great fame or honor by undertaking the task, though he might have gained fame and honor thereby; therefore, “valor” is the best option, for it means “great courage” particularly when one has to face a dangerous situation. It comes from the Latin meaning “to be well, strong, or healthy” and is found in English words like “prevail,” “invalid,” and “valid.”

"Negligence" is a noun which means act of choosing not to (neglecting to) do something. Here, it is clear that not tending the garden is what has led it to become chaotic.

“Enfranchisement” means the granting of voting rights to a group of people. Since Susan B. Anthony was a "suffragist," someone who fought for women’s right to vote, "enfranchisement" is the only logical answer choice.

"Vignettes" (short sketeches) is the only answer that provides an illustration (either via words or otherwise) from which students can learn. "Veneers" is entirely unrelated, as "verneers" means a surface coating or surface appearance that doesn't accurately characterize the whole; "superlatives" may be used in speech, but they do not alone illustrate potential difficulties; and "lexicons" are also related to words, but again, they do not illustrate difficulties.

Because she missed classes from illness, the correct answer needs to indicate that in its context and tone. While “accidents,” "trials," and “coincidences” fit somewhat, none have the appropriate indication of illness. “Fortunes” should be dismissed immediately, as it is a positive word.