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 “temporary”:
A — transient. “temporary” means adj. lasting for a limited time. Study “temporary” →
She was fully ______ of the many dangers before she began the climb.
D — aware. “aware” means adj. knowing about something. Study “aware” →
Select the best synonym for the word “concern”:
C — worry. “concern” means n. a matter of interest or importance to someone. Study “concern” →
The ______ villagers all worked together to rebuild the broken bridge.
B — united. “united” means adj. joined together for a common purpose. Study “united” →
Select the best synonym for the word “difference”:
D — distinction. “difference” means n. a way in which people or things are not the same. Study “difference” →
There is a striking ______ between the two young brothers' faces.
B — similarity. “similarity” means n. the state of being alike. Study “similarity” →
Select the best synonym for the word “completely”:
B — totally. “completely” means adv. totally; fully. Study “completely” →
After three sleepless nights, his ______ face looked pale, drawn, and thin.
B — haggard. “haggard” means adj. looking tired and worn out. Study “haggard” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “improve”:
D — enhance. “improve” means v. to make something better. Study “improve” →
The train follows a ______ schedule, arriving every hour right on the hour.
D — regular. “regular” means adj. happening at fixed times or intervals. Study “regular” →
Select the best synonym for the word “soak”:
A — drench. “soak” means v. to immerse in liquid for a period of time. Study “soak” →
The artist used ______ methods, painting with his hands instead of brushes.
B — unconventional. “unconventional” means adj. not based on or conforming to what is generally done. Study “unconventional” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unpredictable”:
A — erratic. “unpredictable” means adj. not able to be predicted. Study “unpredictable” →
He wore an old, ______ coat with big holes at both of the elbows.
D — shabby. “shabby” means adj. in poor condition through long use or lack of care. Study “shabby” →
Select the best synonym for the word “speech”:
C — address. “speech” means n. a formal talk given to an audience. Study “speech” →
The brave soldier received a medal for his ______ during the fierce battle.
A — valor. “valor” means n. great courage in the face of danger. Study “valor” →
Select the best synonym for the word “overpower”:
A — overwhelm. “overpower” means v. to defeat or gain control over. Study “overpower” →
The ______ winter storm dropped three whole feet of snow overnight.
B — severe. “severe” means adj. very bad or serious. Study “severe” →
Select the best synonym for the word “payment”:
A — remittance. “payment” means n. the act of paying money. Study “payment” →
It is quite rude to ______ at strangers on the crowded morning bus.
B — stare. “stare” means v. to look at something for a long time. Study “stare” →
Select the best synonym for the word “merit”:
A — worth. “merit” means n. a good quality or feature that deserves praise. Study “merit” →
It is very annoying when people ______ over every little unimportant detail.
C — nitpick. “nitpick” means v. to find small or unimportant faults in something. Study “nitpick” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “walker”:
D — pedestrian. “walker” means n. a person who walks, especially for exercise or enjoyment. Study “walker” →
The ______ reason she came all this way was to see her old friends again.
A — main. “main” means adj. most important or largest. Study “main” →
Select the best synonym for the word “holiday”:
B — vacation. “holiday” means n. a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done. Study “holiday” →
The ______ flag flew proudly above the tall government building.
B — national. “national” means adj. relating to a nation; n. a citizen of a particular country. Study “national” →
Select the best synonym for the word “aware”:
D — conscious. “aware” means adj. knowing about something. Study “aware” →
He grew ______ as he waited nervously for his test results.
D — agitated. “agitated” means adj. feeling or appearing troubled or nervous. Study “agitated” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “law”:
D — statute. “law” means n. a system of rules. Study “law” →
It is very ______ to interrupt someone while they are still speaking.
D — disrespectful. “disrespectful” means adj. showing a lack of respect. Study “disrespectful” →
Select the best synonym for the word “peaceful”:
A — tranquil. “peaceful” means adj. free from disturbance; calm. Study “peaceful” →
Speak very clearly so that the large crowd does not ______ your message.
D — misinterpret. “misinterpret” means v. to understand or explain something incorrectly. Study “misinterpret” →
Select the best synonym for the word “create”:
D — produce. “create” means v. to make something new. Study “create” →
You should gently ______ your legs and arms before you begin to run.
A — stretch. “stretch” means v. to make something longer or wider. Study “stretch” →
Select the best synonym for the word “disrespectful”:
B — rude. “disrespectful” means adj. showing a lack of respect. Study “disrespectful” →
The children safely splashed in the ______ end of the swimming pool.
C — shallow. “shallow” means adj. not deep. Study “shallow” →
Select the best synonym for the word “talkative”:
A — chatty. “talkative” means adj. liking to talk a lot. Study “talkative” →
She visits her old grandmother very ______, at least twice every week.
D — often. “often” means adv. frequently; many times. Study “often” →
Select the best synonym for the word “imposing”:
C — impressive. “imposing” means adj. grand and impressive in appearance. Study “imposing” →
The kind teacher gave the sick student some ______ to finish the essay.
D — leeway. “leeway” means n. extra time or space to do something. Study “leeway” →
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.