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 “scorn”:
A — contempt. “scorn” means n. a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval; v. to show scorn. Study “scorn” →
From the high mountaintop, they enjoyed a ______ view of the whole valley.
B — splendid. “splendid” means adj. very impressive or beautiful. Study “splendid” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “quality”:
B — caliber. “quality” means n. the standard of something as measured against other things. Study “quality” →
Her strong ______ to succeed kept her studying late every single night.
C — motivation. “motivation” means n. the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. Study “motivation” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “trusting”:
B — credulous. “trusting” means adj. showing belief in someone''s reliability. Study “trusting” →
The ______ children danced and sang all around the bright, warm bonfire.
C — joyful. “joyful” means adj. feeling or showing great happiness. Study “joyful” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “tusk”:
D — tooth. “tusk” means n. a long, pointed tooth, usually one of a pair, projecting from the mouth of certain animals. Study “tusk” →
He proudly wore a ______ gold watch that caught absolutely everyone's eye.
D — showy. “showy” means adj. very noticeable or flashy. Study “showy” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “center”:
A — middle. “center” means n. the middle point or part of something. Study “center” →
The engineer paused to ______ the badly damaged bridge before the repairs.
A — survey. “survey” means v. to look closely at or examine. Study “survey” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “periodic”:
A — recurring. “periodic” means adj. occurring at regular intervals. Study “periodic” →
She had time only to ______ the very long article before the meeting.
C — skim. “skim” means v. to read quickly to get the main ideas. Study “skim” →
Select the best synonym for the word “undecided”:
C — irresolute. “undecided” means adj. not having made a decision. Study “undecided” →
The proud ______ of the bakery greeted every single customer warmly.
A — owner. “owner” means n. a person who owns something. Study “owner” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “shortage”:
D — scarcity. “shortage” means n. a situation where there is not enough of something. Study “shortage” →
First you must learn the ______ steps before trying the harder ones.
D — basic. “basic” means adj. forming an essential foundation or starting point. Study “basic” →
Select the best synonym for the word “food”:
A — nourishment. “food” means n. any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink. Study “food” →
The strong storm wind had a ______ effect on the young fruit trees.
B — damaging. “damaging” means adj. causing harm or injury. Study “damaging” →
Select the best synonym for the word “pastoral”:
A — rural. “pastoral” means adj. related to the countryside or rural life. Study “pastoral” →
A small ______ of close friends met at the park to play soccer.
A — group. “group” means n. a number of people or things that are together. Study “group” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “float”:
C — drift. “float” means v. to rest or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking. Study “float” →
The clever machine can do ______ different jobs at the very same time.
A — multiple. “multiple” means adj. having or involving several parts, elements, or members. Study “multiple” →
Select the best synonym for the word “lose”:
A — forfeit. “lose” means v. to fail to keep or maintain something. Study “lose” →
Their long, close ______ began on the very first day of school.
D — friendship. “friendship” means n. the state of being friends. Study “friendship” →
Select the best synonym for the word “danger”:
D — peril. “danger” means n. the possibility of harm or injury. Study “danger” →
The scientist used a careful, tested ______ to check her surprising new idea.
D — method. “method” means n. a way of doing something, especially a systematic way. Study “method” →
Select the best synonym for the word “conciliation”:
C — appeasement. “conciliation” means n. the action of stopping someone from being angry. Study “conciliation” →
The businessman offered a tempting ______ to buy the whole company.
D — proposition. “proposition” means n. a statement or plan suggested for acceptance. Study “proposition” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “right”:
C — correct. “right” means adj. correct or true; in accordance with fact or reality. Study “right” →
In the freezing winter, remember to ______ a warm coat and thick gloves.
C — wear. “wear” means v. to have clothing, jewelry, etc. on your body. Study “wear” →
Select the best synonym for the word “display”:
A — exhibit. “display” means v. to show or exhibit something. Study “display” →
By ______ to ever give up, the tired team finally won the long match.
A — refusing. “refusing” means v. the act of saying no. Study “refusing” →
Select the best synonym for the word “stronger”:
A — mightier. “stronger” means adj. more strong. Study “stronger” →
From the high cliff, a magnificent ______ of the blue ocean opened before them.
A — vista. “vista” means n. a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening. Study “vista” →
Select the best synonym for the word “shun”:
C — ostracize. “shun” means v. to avoid someone or something. Study “shun” →
She spoke so ______ that everyone believed she truly meant every word.
A — earnestly. “earnestly” means adv. in a serious and sincere way. Study “earnestly” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “shine”:
D — glow. “shine” means v. to give off light. Study “shine” →
A strong sudden gust of wind can easily ______ a small, light canoe.
D — overturn. “overturn” means v. to turn something upside down or to reverse a decision. Study “overturn” →
Select the best synonym for the word “clear”:
B — evident. “clear” means adj. easy to understand; free from confusion. Study “clear” →
The ______ little mouse hid in its hole whenever the big cat came near.
D — timid. “timid” means adj. shy and lacking in confidence. Study “timid” →
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.