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 “sidetrack”:
C — divert. “sidetrack” means v. to distract from the main subject. Study “sidetrack” →
The teacher's ______ explanation made the hard idea simple to grasp.
B — clear. “clear” means adj. easy to understand; free from confusion. Study “clear” →
Select the best synonym for the word “ruin”:
A — wreck. “ruin” means v. to destroy or damage something. Study “ruin” →
A sudden ______ came to her about how to solve the very tricky problem.
D — thought. “thought” means n. an idea or opinion. Study “thought” →
Select the best synonym for the word “struggle”:
C — strive. “struggle” means v. to try very hard to do something difficult. Study “struggle” →
The tiny puppy began to ______ under the table during the loud thunderstorm.
A — cower. “cower” means v. to crouch down in fear. Study “cower” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “clever”:
A — intelligent. “clever” means adj. quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas. Study “clever” →
The ______ little inn had a warm fire and very friendly staff.
D — welcoming. “welcoming” means adj. friendly or making you feel welcome. Study “welcoming” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “feast”:
C — banquet. “feast” means n. a large meal, typically a celebratory one. Study “feast” →
The long trip was no accident at all; it was completely ______.
C — intentional. “intentional” means adj. done on purpose; deliberate. Study “intentional” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “cleanse”:
A — purify. “cleanse” means v. to make something clean. Study “cleanse” →
She spread a clean white ______ smoothly over the soft new mattress.
A — sheet. “sheet” means n. a large piece of cloth used on a bed. Study “sheet” →
Select the best synonym for the word “ready”:
A — prepared. “ready” means adj. prepared for what is going to happen. Study “ready” →
After the long illness, he felt far too ______ to even lift a small cup.
D — weak. “weak” means adj. lacking strength or power. Study “weak” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “relative”:
A — kin. “relative” means n. members of your family. Study “relative” →
The whole family spent their holiday at a sunny beach ______ by the sea.
B — resort. “resort” means n. a place where people go for vacation; v. to turn to something as a solution. Study “resort” →
Select the best synonym for the word “renounce”:
B — relinquish. “renounce” means v. to formally give up or reject something. Study “renounce” →
The busy ______ was full of tall buildings and crowded, noisy streets.
C — city. “city” means n. a large town. Study “city” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “philosopher”:
A — thinker. “philosopher” means n. a person engaged or learned in philosophy. Study “philosopher” →
The huge lion began to ______ so loudly that the very ground seemed to shake.
C — roar. “roar” means v. to make a loud, deep sound. Study “roar” →
Select the best synonym for the word “distribute”:
C — allocate. “distribute” means v. to give out or deliver something to people. Study “distribute” →
That popular ______ of running shoes is worn by athletes everywhere.
C — brand. “brand” means n. a type of product made by a particular company. Study “brand” →
Select the best synonym for the word “bulk”:
D — mass. “bulk” means n. the mass or size of something large. Study “bulk” →
There was a huge ______ of interest in the new video game after its launch.
B — surge. “surge” means n. a sudden and great increase. Study “surge” →
Select the best synonym for the word “windstorm”:
A — gale. “windstorm” means n. a storm with strong winds but little or no rain. Study “windstorm” →
Even under great pressure, the young pilot stayed calm and ______.
B — composed. “composed” means adj. calm and in control of your emotions. Study “composed” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “detailed”:
D — thorough. “detailed” means adj. having many small parts or features. Study “detailed” →
The important ______ was moved to the very largest room in the office.
B — meeting. “meeting” means n. an assembly of people for a particular purpose. Study “meeting” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “wing”:
B — pinion. “wing” means n. a part of an animal''s body used for flying. Study “wing” →
The clever design was praised for both its beauty and its ______.
D — practicality. “practicality” means n. the quality of being practical or useful. Study “practicality” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “pastime”:
A — hobby. “pastime” means n. an activity done for enjoyment. Study “pastime” →
The tiny ______ island had no people at all, only birds and crabs.
D — uninhabited. “uninhabited” means adj. not lived in by people. Study “uninhabited” →
Select the best synonym for the word “objects”:
A — items. “objects” means n. things that can be seen or touched. Study “objects” →
Paying your taxes on time is a ______ duty for every good citizen.
D — lawful. “lawful” means adj. allowed by law. Study “lawful” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “art”:
A — creativity. “art” means n. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. Study “art” →
The frightened, ______ deer ran swiftly through the thick, dark forest.
C — hunted. “hunted” means adj. being pursued or chased. Study “hunted” →
Select the best synonym for the word “looming”:
D — impending. “looming” means adj. appearing as a large and indistinct shape, often in a threatening way. Study “looming” →
You must ______ the two wires together to make the little lamp light up.
D — connect. “connect” means v. to join or link together. Study “connect” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “scuffle”:
A — skirmish. “scuffle” means n. a short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters; v. to engage in a scuffle. Study “scuffle” →
The ______ smell of the freshly cut onions made her tired eyes water.
C — pungent. “pungent” means adj. having a strong, sharp smell or taste. Study “pungent” →
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.