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.
Select the best synonym for the word “broke”:
B — penniless. “broke” means adj. having no money. Study “broke” →
She ______ solved the tricky puzzle that had stumped everyone else.
B — cleverly. “cleverly” means adv. in a way that shows intelligence or skill. Study “cleverly” →
Select the best synonym for the word “deception”:
C — trickery. “deception” means n. the act of making someone believe something that is not true. Study “deception” →
The daring skiers raced quickly down the steep, snowy ______.
A — slope. “slope” means n. a surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another. Study “slope” →
Select the best synonym for the word “list”:
B — roster. “list” means n. a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively. Study “list” →
His grand plan to become rich overnight was completely ______.
B — unrealistic. “unrealistic” means adj. not seeing things as they are; impractical. Study “unrealistic” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “city”:
C — metropolis. “city” means n. a large town. Study “city” →
The tired soldiers were ordered to march ______ into the thick, dark forest.
D — forward. “forward” means adv. toward the front; in the direction that one is facing. Study “forward” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “lame”:
B — crippled. “lame” means adj. unable to walk properly because of an injury or illness. Study “lame” →
The ______ ruler taxed the poor people until they had almost nothing left.
B — oppressive. “oppressive” means adj. causing discomfort or hardship. Study “oppressive” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “market”:
A — bazaar. “market” means n. a place where people buy and sell goods. Study “market” →
Their long, quiet talk was ______ and helped them understand each other.
D — meaningful. “meaningful” means adj. having a serious, important, or useful quality or purpose. Study “meaningful” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “capability”:
A — capacity. “capability” means n. the ability to do something. Study “capability” →
She closed her eyes to make a secret ______ before blowing out the candles.
C — wish. “wish” means v. to want something to happen or be true. Study “wish” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “multiple”:
A — numerous. “multiple” means adj. having or involving several parts, elements, or members. Study “multiple” →
She carefully checked off each ______ on her long shopping list.
D — item. “item” means n. a single thing in a list or collection. Study “item” →
Select the best synonym for the word “mumble”:
A — mutter. “mumble” means v. to speak quietly and not clearly. Study “mumble” →
Her main ______ was to finish the whole race before the sun set.
A — goal. “goal” means n. an aim or desired result. Study “goal” →
Select the best synonym for the word “glowing”:
B — radiant. “glowing” means adj. producing a steady light or heat. Study “glowing” →
Wearing a warm winter coat can ______ the risk of catching a bad cold.
C — reduce. “reduce” means v. to make something smaller or less. Study “reduce” →
Select the best synonym for the word “decorative”:
A — ornamental. “decorative” means adj. serving to make something look more attractive. Study “decorative” →
The old wooden drawer was ______ and would not open no matter how she pulled.
C — jammed. “jammed” means adj. stuck and unable to move. Study “jammed” →
Select the best synonym for the word “detain”:
B — restrain. “detain” means v. to hold back or keep someone from leaving. Study “detain” →
The old soldier finally received the ______ he truly deserved for his bravery.
D — recognition. “recognition” means n. the act of identifying someone or something. Study “recognition” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “cure”:
D — heal. “cure” means v. to make someone with an illness healthy again. Study “cure” →
Green plants grow ______ toward the bright, warm sunlight.
B — naturally. “naturally” means adv. in a natural manner; as expected. Study “naturally” →
Select the best synonym for the word “arrival”:
D — advent. “arrival” means n. the act of coming to a place. Study “arrival” →
Only a ______ number of tickets were still left for the popular show.
A — limited. “limited” means adj. restricted in size, amount, or extent. Study “limited” →
Select the best synonym for the word “observer”:
A — spectator. “observer” means n. a person who watches something. Study “observer” →
After much gentle ______, he finally agreed to join the whole trip.
B — persuasion. “persuasion” means n. the act of convincing someone to do or believe something. Study “persuasion” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “foresight”:
D — prescience. “foresight” means n. the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future. Study “foresight” →
The old proverb reminds us that ______ is truly believing.
B — seeing. “seeing” means n. the act of perceiving with the eyes. Study “seeing” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “calm”:
A — serene. “calm” means adj. not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions. Study “calm” →
The worried doctor warned that the ______ cat needed to lose some weight.
D — obese. “obese” means adj. very overweight. Study “obese” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “less”:
C — fewer. “less” means adj. a smaller amount of; not as much. Study “less” →
She spoke with a refreshing ______ that nearly everyone quietly admired.
C — frankness. “frankness” means n. the quality of being open, honest, and direct. Study “frankness” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “dig”:
A — excavate. “dig” means v. to break up and move earth with a tool or machine. Study “dig” →
The wise old ______ ruled the whole land with fairness and kindness.
B — queen. “queen” means n. a female ruler of a country. Study “queen” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “surplus”:
B — excess. “surplus” means n. an amount that is more than what is needed. Study “surplus” →
The shop offered the old bike at a fair, ______ price that anyone could afford.
B — reasonable. “reasonable” means adj. fair and sensible. Study “reasonable” →
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.