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 “fixed”:
D — stationary. “fixed” means adj. not changing or movable. Study “fixed” →
The wild story was ______ true, but a good deal of it had been made up.
B — partly. “partly” means adv. to some extent; not completely. Study “partly” →
Select the best synonym for the word “applause”:
B — ovation. “applause” means n. clapping to show enjoyment or approval. Study “applause” →
The clever young scientist won a special ______ for her invention.
C — award. “award” means n. a prize or recognition given for achievement. Study “award” →
Select the best synonym for the word “embarrass”:
B — humiliate. “embarrass” means v. to make someone feel awkward or ashamed. Study “embarrass” →
The city museum held a special ______ of the famous painter's early work.
C — exhibition. “exhibition” means n. a public display of works of art or items of interest. Study “exhibition” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “harmful”:
C — damaging. “harmful” means adj. causing or likely to cause harm. Study “harmful” →
The stern judge warned him never to ______ such a crime ever again.
B — commit. “commit” means v. to carry out or do. Study “commit” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unassuming”:
C — modest. “unassuming” means adj. modest; not pretentious. Study “unassuming” →
The ______ sports car sped smoothly down the long empty highway.
D — fast. “fast” means adj. moving or capable of moving at high speed. Study “fast” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “speck”:
B — dot. “speck” means n. a small spot or mark. Study “speck” →
The tea had gone ______, so she warmed it up on the stove again.
C — lukewarm. “lukewarm” means adj. slightly warm; not enthusiastic. Study “lukewarm” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “memories”:
A — recollections. “memories” means n. recollections of past events. Study “memories” →
The catchy new song quickly became a ______ hit, played in every country.
C — worldwide. “worldwide” means adj. extending or reaching throughout the world. Study “worldwide” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “role”:
D — part. “role” means n. a part played by an actor or a function someone has. Study “role” →
The teacher used a simple drawing to ______ exactly how a young plant grows.
B — illustrate. “illustrate” means v. to explain or make something clear by using examples or pictures. Study “illustrate” →
Select the best synonym for the word “affected”:
B — influenced. “affected” means adj. influenced or touched by an external factor. Study “affected” →
The old healer brewed a warm tea with strong ______ herbs.
B — medicinal. “medicinal” means adj. having healing properties. Study “medicinal” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “directive”:
C — order. “directive” means n. an official instruction or order. Study “directive” →
For a short ______, the whole town lost all of its electricity.
B — period. “period” means n. a length or portion of time. Study “period” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “grand”:
C — majestic. “grand” means adj. impressive and large or important. Study “grand” →
Make quite sure the wild forest berries are ______ before you taste them.
A — eatable. “eatable” means adj. safe to eat. Study “eatable” →
Select the best synonym for the word “forcefully”:
B — assertively. “forcefully” means adv. in a strong and assertive manner. Study “forcefully” →
The ______ dragon in the story could breathe fire and fly through the air.
A — mythical. “mythical” means adj. existing only in myths; not real. Study “mythical” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “absolute”:
A — total. “absolute” means adj. complete or total. Study “absolute” →
Seeing the dark storm coming, they had to ______ home before the rain.
B — hasten. “hasten” means v. to move or act quickly. Study “hasten” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “credit”:
D — recognition. “credit” means n. praise or recognition for something done. Study “credit” →
A sudden cold wave of fear seemed to ______ him right where he stood.
B — paralyze. “paralyze” means v. to make unable to move or act. Study “paralyze” →
Select the best synonym for the word “wish”:
C — desire. “wish” means v. to want something to happen or be true. Study “wish” →
Every morning, she likes to sit quietly and ______ for about ten minutes.
D — meditate. “meditate” means v. to focus the mind for relaxation or spiritual purposes. Study “meditate” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “allure”:
C — charm. “allure” means n. the quality of being attractive or fascinating. Study “allure” →
She drew one straight ______ across the page with her wooden ruler.
B — line. “line” means n. a long, narrow mark or band. Study “line” →
Select the best synonym for the word “thankful”:
A — grateful. “thankful” means adj. feeling grateful. Study “thankful” →
No one should ever have to ______ in silence when good help is nearby.
D — suffer. “suffer” means v. to experience pain or hardship. Study “suffer” →
Select the best synonym for the word “example”:
A — illustration. “example” means n. something that is used to show what other similar things are like. Study “example” →
She leaned over to ______ a little secret gently into his ear.
C — murmur. “murmur” means v. to say something in a soft, quiet voice. Study “murmur” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unqualified”:
A — untrained. “unqualified” means adj. not having the necessary skills or qualifications. Study “unqualified” →
After a short rest, the tired runner began to ______ her lost strength.
C — regain. “regain” means v. to get something back. Study “regain” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “include”:
A — incorporate. “include” means v. to have something as a part of a whole. Study “include” →
There is no good reason at all to ______ her honest, truthful word.
A — doubt. “doubt” means v. to feel uncertain about something. Study “doubt” →
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.