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.
Choose the best synonym for the word “variety”:
B — diversity. “variety” means n. a number of different types of things. Study “variety” →
Each ______ at the busy factory was given a safe, sturdy pair of gloves.
B — worker. “worker” means n. people who work, especially in manual or industrial labor. Study “worker” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “germs”:
A — microbes. “germs” means n. microorganisms, especially those that cause disease. Study “germs” →
Their ______ trip to the beach turned into the best day of the whole summer.
B — unplanned. “unplanned” means adj. not planned or expected. Study “unplanned” →
Select the best synonym for the word “questionable”:
D — dubious. “questionable” means adj. doubtful or uncertain. Study “questionable” →
The whole ______ worked closely together to win the big championship.
C — team. “team” means n. a group of people working together. Study “team” →
Select the best synonym for the word “covering”:
B — cover. “covering” means n. something that covers or conceals. Study “covering” →
The ______ boy cared only about money and shiny expensive toys.
A — materialistic. “materialistic” means adj. excessively concerned with material possessions. Study “materialistic” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “mercy”:
A — clemency. “mercy” means n. compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone. Study “mercy” →
The faded old treasure map was her single most treasured ______.
B — possession. “possession” means n. the state of having or owning something. Study “possession” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “disrupt”:
D — interrupt. “disrupt” means v. to interrupt or cause disorder. Study “disrupt” →
The clever detective was finally able to ______ that the man was innocent.
C — prove. “prove” means v. to show something is true. Study “prove” →
Select the best synonym for the word “first-year”:
D — freshman. “first-year” means adj. relating to the first year of something, especially school or college. Study “first-year” →
The fast runner was at the very ______ of setting a brand-new record.
B — threshold. “threshold” means n. the level or point at which something starts or changes. Study “threshold” →
Select the best synonym for the word “regular”:
D — routine. “regular” means adj. happening at fixed times or intervals. Study “regular” →
The young girl had a truly remarkable ______ for playing the piano.
A — talent. “talent” means n. a natural ability to be good at something. Study “talent” →
Select the best synonym for the word “second-to-last”:
A — penultimate. “second-to-last” means adj. the one before the last in a sequence. Study “second-to-last” →
The city museum proudly displayed the famous painter's greatest ______.
A — works. “works” means n. creations or achievements, especially in art or literature. Study “works” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “seek”:
B — search. “seek” means v. to look for or try to find something. Study “seek” →
The older brother loved to ______ his little sister about her messy hair.
D — tease. “tease” means v. to make fun of someone playfully. Study “tease” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “plant”:
A — vegetation. “plant” means n. a living organism that grows in the ground. Study “plant” →
Cut the round cake into six ______ pieces so everyone gets the same.
C — equal. “equal” means adj. being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value. Study “equal” →
Select the best synonym for the word “soon”:
C — shortly. “soon” means adv. in a short time; shortly. Study “soon” →
The best ______ of the job was meeting so many kind and interesting people.
A — aspect. “aspect” means n. a particular part or feature of something. Study “aspect” →
Select the best synonym for the word “space”:
A — room. “space” means n. a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied. Study “space” →
She solved the whole difficult puzzle with surprising ______.
A — ease. “ease” means n. freedom from difficulty or hardship. Study “ease” →
Select the best synonym for the word “seashore”:
A — coast. “seashore” means n. the land along the edge of the sea. Study “seashore” →
A fierce ______ tore the shingles right off many roofs in the little town.
A — windstorm. “windstorm” means n. a storm with strong winds but little or no rain. Study “windstorm” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “fact”:
B — truth. “fact” means n. a thing that is known or proved to be true. Study “fact” →
The ______ spring weather was neither too hot nor too cold at all.
A — mild. “mild” means adj. gentle or not severe. Study “mild” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “scolding”:
C — reprimand. “scolding” means n. an angry reprimand or criticism. Study “scolding” →
Her old friend arrived ______, surprising the whole family at dinner.
A — unexpectedly. “unexpectedly” means adv. in a way that was not expected. Study “unexpectedly” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “permeate”:
A — pervade. “permeate” means v. to spread throughout something. Study “permeate” →
The clever thieves came up with a bold ______ to steal the crown jewels.
D — scheme. “scheme” means n. a plan or arrangement for doing something. Study “scheme” →
Select the best synonym for the word “apprentice”:
B — trainee. “apprentice” means n. a person learning a trade from a skilled employer. Study “apprentice” →
The ______ of her very first novel did not stop her from writing more.
B — rejection. “rejection” means n. the act of refusing to accept or consider something. Study “rejection” →
Select the best synonym for the word “material”:
A — substance. “material” means n. the substance or substances from which something is made. Study “material” →
She gave a ______ answer before anyone else even raised a hand.
C — quick. “quick” means adj. happening or done with speed. Study “quick” →
Select the best synonym for the word “fear”:
A — dread. “fear” means n. an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger. Study “fear” →
My grandmother is very ______ and walks three miles every single day.
A — active. “active” means adj. doing things that require physical movement and energy. Study “active” →
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.