Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

We know that the sentence is discussing the moment at which the emperor was most powerful, so we should pick out an answer choice that means something like "height." While "middle" might look like a potentially good answer choice, especially because it is surrounded by "beginning" and "end," "zenith" is the better answer choice. While "zenith" specifically means "the highest point reached by a celestial or other object" or "the point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer," it also means "the time at which something is most powerful or successful." Because "zenith" is closer in meaning to "height" than is "middle," "zenith" is the correct answer.

We know that the subject's family "never criticiz\[es\] her for her shortcomings," so we need to pick out a noun that means something like "shortcomings." Since "foible" means a minor shortcoming, "foibles" is the answer choice best suited to the sentence's context and the correct answer.

We know that the actor missed some direction telling him to enter the scene, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "signal." While "summons" might seem like the correct answer, "cue" fits the context of the sentence better; while "summons" means "an authoritative or urgent call to someone to be present or to do something" or "an order to appear before a judge or magistrate, or the writ containing it," "cue" means "a thing said or done that serves as a signal to an actor or other performer to enter or to begin their speech or performance." Because "cue" best fits the theatrical context of the sentence, "cue" is the correct answer.

When something is done ad hoc, it is performed for this or that purpose, not in a planned, cohesive manner. (The expression comes from Latin meaning “to this \[purpose / end\].”) The implication, therefore, is that the meetings were not planned but merely addressed issues as they arose. Therefore, it did not have any preplanned agenda. The word come from the Latin meaning “things to be done.” It is related to many “act” words like “agent,” “action,” “activity,” and so forth.

Since the second clause speaks of “uncertainties,” anything matching this would be the best choice. Anger and indignation are too strong and specifically refer to something more than mere uncertainty, though uncertainty can often lead people to anger. Do not be tempted to think of immaturity or adolescence, though these are often marked by or related to uncertainty. The best word is “angst” which means “dread” and is often related to one’s realization of the difficulties of life. The word is related to words like “anxious” and “anxiety.”

Since the politician spoke truthfully, it can be said that he spoke with “candor,” meaning frankness. Often, we use the words “candid” and “candidly.” They are derived from the Latin word for white, which developed over time into these English words insofar as they mean clean or pure in the sense of not being “clouded” by half-truths or outright lies.

The correct answer is "anecdote," meaning a short, often amusing story. Speeches, essays, and persuasive pieces often include anecdotes. While "repartee" is also amusing speech, it refers to back-and-forth conversation between people, not a singular person's address.

While it might be said that Donald experienced any one of the emotions given as options for this question, the key point to note is that he approached those whom he had harmed for the sake of asking their forgiveness. When one is “contrite,” he or she is aware of the guilt of past actions. This would likely lead to the desire to beg forgiveness from any offended parties.

The key thing to note here is that Brandon still has two choices that cannot be eliminated. When someone reaches such a state of decision, it is called a “dilemma,” which literally means two premises (as in an argument). The “lemma” portion is used in mathematics to indicate theorem that is used in the middle of a proof (hence functioning like a premise of sorts), while the “di-” (two / double) prefix should be familiar as found in “dichromatic” (made up of two colors) or “diploid” (a cell having two sets of chromosomes).

The key word here is “dishonesty,” for this is the most specific that we can get about Laura’s sickness. There is nothing in the sentence to indicate anything about the specific nature of her ailment. Given that she was fired for dishonesty, the illness must have been a complete story that she made up. Hence, it is best called a “fabrication.” Something “fabricated” is strictly speaking something “manufactured.” When this is applied to human actions, a “fabrication” takes on the additional implication of intention to deceive.

Although one might be tempted to choose almost any of the options, most of all “erudition” and “sophistication,” the sense of the sentence is best met by a word describing one having complete ability to communicate. When someone is “fluent” in a language, he or she is able to utilize it in speaking and / or writing in a totally natural manner. The word comes from the Latin for “to flow,” and one could think of a “fluent speaker” as one from whom words “flow readily.”

This opposition is not a strong "A / not-A" sort of opposition (like kind / unkind). Instead, it is an opposition that is only separated by a “fine line.” It is best to consider two things that might seem to be alike even if they are distinct (and ultimately opposed). When someone is “penurious,” he or she is either very poor or perhaps just very cheap. The former really does not fit well with any of the potential answers, but the latter, stronger option does pair well with “frugality.” When someone is “frugal,” he or she lives simply, though this need not be completely penurious in a negative sense. There is a fine line between the two—and this is what the question demands!

The key word, of course, is “worn,” but you must be careful not consult any knowledge that you might have concerning tea party ceremonies. The sentence itself implies nothing specific about what exquisite items are worn by the participants; therefore, the best option is “garb,” which generally means “clothing,” though often implying that said clothing has a special use. This latter point makes the word even more appropriate for the sentence, though it is really the very general nature of “garb” that makes it more appropriate than any of the specific options.

Since Jeremiah detects injustices being done by those who are in power, the best description for his declarations would be “grievances.” A “grievance” is a reason that one has (perhaps completely in imagination, though perhaps also truly) for registering a complaint for being wronged or “aggrieved.”

The key words here to note are “deceive” and “duplicity.” The implication of the sentence is that although Derrick might not try to be deceptive, he nevertheless is believed to be such. This is implied by the fact that he is considered “duplicitous” which directly means having two sides (or being a “double dealer”), though often meaning “deceitful” (implied in the act of having “two faces”). The best option is “guile,” which means cunning intelligence. Although this is not a direct synonym of “deceitful,” combined with “duplicity,” it functions to capture the sense of someone who is able to work through intelligence to be deceitful.

The key word here is “isolated.” Nothing else in the sentence gives us a particular indication of the old man’s character or the ends to which he wishes to devote his reading, writing, and reflection. The word “hermit,” though often having religious overtones, can mean merely “living a solitary life.”

The opposition between the two sentences is between activity and something else. This can be detected by the parallel construction that speaks of one thing (“on the one hand”) breaking down the body and another (“on the other hand”) breaking down the soul; therefore, the best choice for an opposite to “activity” is “idleness.”

The key expression in this sentence is “for favoring any party . . .” The answer must be a word that describes the act of such favoring (which the leader must not show or do). When someone shows partiality or is partial to something, he or she shows a bias in favor of that thing, often for reasons that are not adequate. It often can merely mean “favoritism.” You can think of it as one “taking the part (or side)” of some favored person.

The key expression is the participial clause “feeling a perpetual state of sadness and depression.” While Isaac might be described in terms of any of the options given for this sentence, this phrase clearly indicates that he was saddened. When someone experience “melancholy,” he or she is sad and thoughtful. The word comes from the old theories of the “humors” (or blood chemicals) that were believed to influence psychological dispositions. Melancholy was believed to be derived from too much “black bile.” Someone who was bad-tempered was called “choleric” or “bilious”—a surprising but understandable relation, given the connection to bile. The word “cholesterol,” literally means “stiff bile” (though that is an inadequate medical definition, of course).

The only thing that can be said about the fifteen people in relation to Theodoric is that they were now “under” his watch or control. When someone is called a “subordinate,” he or she is in a lower position in relation to those who are “over” them. The word literally means “of an order (‘-ordinate’) below (‘sub-’)” or “ordained (i.e. placed or assigned) below another.”