40 Verbal Reasoning questions — 20 synonym, 20 sentence completion — in the ISEE's own four-option format. Every answer is explained, and every question links to its word's full study page.
Choose the best synonym for the word “horrifying”:
C — terrifying. “horrifying” means adj. causing horror or shock. Study “horrifying” →
The two strong young boys began to ______ playfully on the soft green grass.
A — wrestle. “wrestle” means v. to struggle physically with someone, trying to throw or force them to the ground. Study “wrestle” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “misconception”:
A — misunderstanding. “misconception” means n. a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding. Study “misconception” →
Regular ______ keeps the old family car running smoothly for years.
D — maintenance. “maintenance” means n. the process of keeping something in good condition. Study “maintenance” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “intimidating”:
D — menacing. “intimidating” means adj. making you feel frightened or nervous. Study “intimidating” →
Not a single soldier would ______ to disobey the very strict general.
B — dare. “dare” means v. to have the courage to do something. Study “dare” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “questioner”:
B — interrogator. “questioner” means n. a person who asks questions. Study “questioner” →
You must ______ very carefully before you throw the sharp dart.
A — aim. “aim” means v. to point or direct at a target. Study “aim” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “campus”:
C — grounds. “campus” means n. the grounds and buildings of a university or college. Study “campus” →
Because of the difficult ______, the whole trip had to be postponed.
D — circumstances. “circumstances” means n. the conditions or facts affecting a situation. Study “circumstances” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unbroken”:
A — continuous. “unbroken” means adj. not interrupted or disturbed. Study “unbroken” →
A few kind words of ______ helped the nervous singer find her courage.
B — encouragement. “encouragement” means n. the act of giving support or confidence. Study “encouragement” →
Select the best synonym for the word “spiritual”:
C — religious. “spiritual” means adj. relating to the spirit or soul. Study “spiritual” →
The two nations had been each other's bitter ______ for many long years.
D — enemy. “enemy” means n. a person who is actively opposed or hostile. Study “enemy” →
Select the best synonym for the word “bargain”:
B — deal. “bargain” means n. an agreement between two or more parties as to what each will do for the other. Study “bargain” →
The shy writer chose to ______ himself in a cabin to finish his novel.
D — seclude. “seclude” means v. to keep someone away from other people. Study “seclude” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “global”:
C — worldwide. “global” means adj. relating to the whole world; worldwide. Study “global” →
He bought a clever new ______ that could peel and slice apples by itself.
A — gadget. “gadget” means n. a small mechanical or electronic device. Study “gadget” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “fearful”:
B — frightened. “fearful” means adj. feeling afraid or anxious. Study “fearful” →
The rude crowd began to ______ loudly at the nervous young performer.
D — jeer. “jeer” means v. to make fun of someone in a loud and unkind way. Study “jeer” →
Select the best synonym for the word “suspension”:
C — postponement. “suspension” means n. the act of stopping something temporarily. Study “suspension” →
He wore a rich, ______ robe of deep purple velvet and shining gold.
B — kingly. “kingly” means adj. relating to or suitable for a king. Study “kingly” →
Select the best synonym for the word “shouting”:
A — yelling. “shouting” means n. the act of speaking very loudly. Study “shouting” →
The town started a ______ to build a brand-new playground for the children.
D — fund. “fund” means n. money saved or collected for a purpose. Study “fund” →
Select the best synonym for the word “meal”:
A — repast. “meal” means n. an occasion when food is eaten. Study “meal” →
The kind waiter hurried to ______ the hungry customers their hot food.
A — serve. “serve” means v. to work for; to provide a service or product. Study “serve” →
Select the best synonym for the word “sarcastic”:
D — mocking. “sarcastic” means adj. using irony to mock or convey contempt. Study “sarcastic” →
It is now your turn to ______ the cards for the next round of the game.
B — deal. “deal” means v. to distribute or give out. Study “deal” →
Select the best synonym for the word “hurt”:
B — injure. “hurt” means v. to cause pain or injury. Study “hurt” →
Cheating on the very important final test was a ______ thing to do.
A — shameful. “shameful” means adj. causing shame or disgrace. Study “shameful” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “earnestly”:
C — sincerely. “earnestly” means adv. in a serious and sincere way. Study “earnestly” →
Please be very ______ when you carry the tray of hot cups.
C — careful. “careful” means adj. making sure to avoid danger or mistakes. Study “careful” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “irregular”:
D — erratic. “irregular” means adj. not following a pattern. Study “irregular” →
He gave a vague, ______ answer, never quite saying yes or no.
D — indirect. “indirect” means adj. not directly caused by or resulting from something. Study “indirect” →
Select the best synonym for the word “acquainted”:
B — familiar. “acquainted” means adj. familiar with someone or something. Study “acquainted” →
There was a small dent on the left ______ of the old family car.
C — side. “side” means n. the parts that are not the top, bottom, front, or back. Study “side” →
Select the best synonym for the word “thirst”:
C — craving. “thirst” means n. the feeling of needing to drink. Study “thirst” →
The ______ bull charged straight at the waving red cloth.
A — enraged. “enraged” means adj. very angry. Study “enraged” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “uneasiness”:
B — unease. “uneasiness” means n. a feeling of worry or discomfort. Study “uneasiness” →
She has a very strong ______ for spiders and never goes near them.
A — dislike. “dislike” means v. to not like someone or something. Study “dislike” →
No. These are original synonym and sentence-completion questions written from the iSEE Vocab word bank, in the ISEE's own four-option Verbal Reasoning format. No retired or copyrighted ISEE/SSAT questions appear anywhere on this site.
40 — 20 synonym questions and 20 sentence-completion questions, the same roughly-even split the real ISEE Verbal Reasoning section uses.
No. Every Basic Level practice test on this site draws from a disjoint slice of the word bank, so Test 1, Test 2 and every other numbered test at this level use entirely different questions.
Yes. The ISEE gives no penalty for a wrong answer — a blank scores the same as a wrong guess, which is zero — so answer every question even when you have to guess.