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 “power”:
C — ability. “power” means n. the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way. Study “power” →
The clear report was widely praised for its helpful ______.
A — conciseness. “conciseness” means n. the quality of being brief and to the point. Study “conciseness” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “inhabit”:
D — reside. “inhabit” means v. to live in a place. Study “inhabit” →
She drew a very ______ map showing every street and shop in town.
C — detailed. “detailed” means adj. having many small parts or features. Study “detailed” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “sleepy”:
B — drowsy. “sleepy” means adj. feeling ready to sleep. Study “sleepy” →
The kind doctor helped the ______ slowly overcome his dangerous addiction.
A — junkie. “junkie” means n. a person who is addicted to drugs. Study “junkie” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “repetitive”:
D — monotonous. “repetitive” means adj. involving doing the same thing over and over. Study “repetitive” →
The ______ mother searched frantically everywhere for her lost child.
B — distressed. “distressed” means adj. suffering from anxiety, sorrow, or pain. Study “distressed” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “kindness”:
A — compassion. “kindness” means n. the quality of being friendly and considerate. Study “kindness” →
The big white polar bear walked slowly across the frozen ______.
C — icecap. “icecap” means n. a thick layer of ice covering a large area. Study “icecap” →
Select the best synonym for the word “devotion”:
D — loyalty. “devotion” means n. love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or activity. Study “devotion” →
Please ______ the ripe red apples from the rotten ones in the basket.
B — separate. “separate” means v. to cause to move or be apart. Study “separate” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “captivating”:
C — enchanting. “captivating” means adj. very attractive and interesting. Study “captivating” →
The tall vase held only ______ silk flowers, not real ones.
D — decorative. “decorative” means adj. serving to make something look more attractive. Study “decorative” →
Select the best synonym for the word “threaten”:
A — intimidate. “threaten” means v. to say you will harm someone if they do not do what you want. Study “threaten” →
She solved the tricky problem without any ______ at all.
D — difficulty. “difficulty” means n. the state or condition of being difficult. Study “difficulty” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “pride”:
D — satisfaction. “pride” means n. a feeling of satisfaction from one''s achievements. Study “pride” →
Her ______ speech made everyone in the room want to work much harder.
D — inspiring. “inspiring” means adj. making you feel enthusiastic or excited about something. Study “inspiring” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “slightly”:
B — somewhat. “slightly” means adv. to a small degree or extent. Study “slightly” →
The strict new rule will ______ the number of cars allowed in the park.
D — restrict. “restrict” means v. to limit or control something. Study “restrict” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “pacify”:
A — soothe. “pacify” means v. to calm someone down. Study “pacify” →
His ______ desk was covered in scattered papers and empty coffee cups.
C — messy. “messy” means adj. untidy or disorganized. Study “messy” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “written”:
B — documented. “written” means adj. expressed in writing. Study “written” →
The whole Earth is shaped like a giant ______ spinning through space.
D — sphere. “sphere” means n. a round 3D shape like a ball. Study “sphere” →
Select the best synonym for the word “respectful”:
B — courteous. “respectful” means adj. showing politeness or honor. Study “respectful” →
Every single summer, the whole family spent a happy week at the ______.
C — seaside. “seaside” means n. a place by the sea, especially a beach area or holiday resort. Study “seaside” →
Select the best synonym for the word “assertive”:
B — forceful. “assertive” means adj. confident and direct in claiming one''s rights or putting forward one''s views. Study “assertive” →
She gave him one small ______ about what his birthday present might be.
D — hint. “hint” means n. a small piece of advice or suggestion. Study “hint” →
Select the best synonym for the word “proverb”:
C — adage. “proverb” means n. a short saying that gives advice or expresses a truth. Study “proverb” →
The wise old grandmother loved to ______ long tales of her youth.
B — narrate. “narrate” means v. to tell a story or describe a series of events. Study “narrate” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “nothing”:
A — naught. “nothing” means pron. not anything; no single thing. Study “nothing” →
Be very careful not to ______ any important step when you follow the recipe.
A — omit. “omit” means v. to leave out or exclude. Study “omit” →
Select the best synonym for the word “extinguish”:
C — quench. “extinguish” means v. to put out a fire or light. Study “extinguish” →
The helpful librarian gave us useful ______ about the town's long history.
C — information. “information” means n. facts or details about a subject. Study “information” →
Select the best synonym for the word “offender”:
A — criminal. “offender” means n. a person who commits a crime. Study “offender” →
The sold-out concert was a huge ______ for the talented young band.
A — success. “success” means n. the achievement of a goal or purpose. Study “success” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “shout”:
D — yell. “shout” means v. to speak very loudly. Study “shout” →
She smiled at her own ______ in the shiny, clean store window.
D — reflection. “reflection” means n. the image seen in a mirror or shiny surface. Study “reflection” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “conceptual”:
D — theoretical. “conceptual” means adj. related to or based on ideas. Study “conceptual” →
It was quite ______ of her to play loud music while the baby slept.
B — thoughtless. “thoughtless” means adj. not considering others. Study “thoughtless” →
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.