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 “striking”:
D — remarkable. “striking” means adj. very noticeable or impressive. Study “striking” →
Looking at the faded old photos brought back happy ______ of childhood.
A — memories. “memories” means n. recollections of past events. Study “memories” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “science”:
A — the study of nature. “science” means n. the study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation. Study “science” →
The clever prisoner found a secret way to ______ from the locked cell.
C — escape. “escape” means v. to get away from a place or situation. Study “escape” →
Select the best synonym for the word “cuddle”:
B — embrace. “cuddle” means v. to hold someone or something close in your arms to show love or affection. Study “cuddle” →
The grand seaside hotel offered every ______ that you could possibly imagine.
A — luxury. “luxury” means n. a state of great comfort or elegance. Study “luxury” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “prank”:
A — trick. “prank” means n. a playful trick or joke. Study “prank” →
Her honesty in returning the lost money was truly ______.
B — praiseworthy. “praiseworthy” means adj. deserving approval and admiration. Study “praiseworthy” →
Select the best synonym for the word “drug”:
C — medication. “drug” means n. a substance used as medicine or an illegal substance. Study “drug” →
Crowds of eager fans lined up for the ______ of the exciting new film.
B — premiere. “premiere” means n. the first public performance of a play or movie. Study “premiere” →
Select the best synonym for the word “authoritarian”:
B — dictatorial. “authoritarian” means adj. favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority. Study “authoritarian” →
The unexpected ______ of prize money let the family buy a brand-new home.
C — windfall. “windfall” means n. an unexpected gain or piece of good fortune. Study “windfall” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “landlord”:
C — proprietor. “landlord” means n. a person who rents out land, a building, or an apartment. Study “landlord” →
It was very ______ of her to give her whole lunch to the hungry stranger.
C — unselfish. “unselfish” means adj. putting others'' needs before one''s own. Study “unselfish” →
Select the best synonym for the word “energize”:
D — invigorate. “energize” means v. to give energy or vitality to. Study “energize” →
The ______ of the water flowing over the falls was truly amazing.
B — rate. “rate” means n. a measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against another quantity or measure. Study “rate” →
Select the best synonym for the word “blindly”:
D — unquestioningly. “blindly” means adv. without seeing or thinking. Study “blindly” →
Plants and animals both depend on a clean, healthy ______.
D — environment. “environment” means n. the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives. Study “environment” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “blame”:
C — accuse. “blame” means v. to say or think that someone or something is responsible for something bad. Study “blame” →
The ______ train blew its loud whistle as it neared the station.
C — approaching. “approaching” means adj. coming near or nearer in distance or time. Study “approaching” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “compassionate”:
A — sympathetic. “compassionate” means adj. showing sympathy and concern for others. Study “compassionate” →
You can easily ______ the large pizza into eight equal slices.
D — divide. “divide” means v. to separate into parts or groups. Study “divide” →
Select the best synonym for the word “penetrating”:
A — piercing. “penetrating” means adj. able to make a way through or into something. Study “penetrating” →
The teacher gave helpful ______ on exactly how to improve the essay.
A — feedback. “feedback” means n. information about reactions to a product or a person''s performance. Study “feedback” →
Select the best synonym for the word “present”:
C — current. “present” means adj. existing or happening now; n. a gift. Study “present” →
The whole dark forest was completely ______ except for the whispering wind.
D — silent. “silent” means adj. not making or accompanied by any sound. Study “silent” →
Select the best synonym for the word “shining”:
A — radiant. “shining” means adj. giving off light. Study “shining” →
They all gathered around the warm ______ to tell stories late at night.
D — fire. “fire” means n. the heat and light produced by burning. Study “fire” →
Select the best synonym for the word “happy”:
B — glad. “happy” means adj. feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. Study “happy” →
To share the pie fairly, they decided to ______ the very last slice.
D — halve. “halve” means v. to divide into two equal parts. Study “halve” →
Select the best synonym for the word “fanciful”:
D — whimsical. “fanciful” means adj. imaginative or unrealistic. Study “fanciful” →
Many millions of ______ live in the huge, crowded, busy city.
A — people. “people” means n. human beings in general. Study “people” →
Select the best synonym for the word “release”:
B — liberate. “release” means v. to set free or let go. Study “release” →
The very first puzzle was so ______ that she finished it in a minute.
D — easy. “easy” means adj. not difficult. Study “easy” →
Select the best synonym for the word “national”:
A — countrywide. “national” means adj. relating to a nation; n. a citizen of a particular country. Study “national” →
The long, ______ desert stretched in every direction with no end in sight.
D — endless. “endless” means adj. having no limit or end. Study “endless” →
Select the best synonym for the word “stone”:
C — pebble. “stone” means n. a small piece of rock. Study “stone” →
A cold night draft came in through the ______ bedroom window.
B — unclosed. “unclosed” means adj. not closed. Study “unclosed” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “measurement”:
A — dimension. “measurement” means n. the size, length, or amount of something. Study “measurement” →
She was quite ______ to speak up in the large, noisy meeting.
B — hesitant. “hesitant” means adj. unsure or slow in acting or speaking. Study “hesitant” →
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.