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 “principles”:
A — tenets. “principles” means n. basic beliefs or rules that guide actions. Study “principles” →
Archaeologists began to ______ the ancient ruins buried deep in the sand.
C — excavate. “excavate” means v. to dig out and remove earth to find something buried. Study “excavate” →
Select the best synonym for the word “noticed”:
A — observed. “noticed” means v. became aware of something. Study “noticed” →
After the storm, broken branches lay ______ all across the wide yard.
C — scattered. “scattered” means adj. spread or thrown about in different places. Study “scattered” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “cheer”:
C — applaud. “cheer” means v. to shout loudly in order to show support or praise. Study “cheer” →
The ______ new worker needed a lot of training before he could do the job.
A — unskilled. “unskilled” means adj. not having or requiring special skill or training. Study “unskilled” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “stiff”:
B — rigid. “stiff” means adj. not easily bent or changed in shape. Study “stiff” →
The doctor will ______ you to rest and drink plenty of water.
D — advise. “advise” means v. to give advice or recommendations. Study “advise” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “snuggle”:
D — cuddle. “snuggle” means v. to settle or move into a warm, comfortable position. Study “snuggle” →
Loud ______ filled the theater as the singer took her final bow.
B — applause. “applause” means n. clapping to show enjoyment or approval. Study “applause” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “responsibility”:
A — duty. “responsibility” means n. a duty or task that you are required or expected to do. Study “responsibility” →
The plan was still only ______, existing as an idea rather than a real thing.
A — conceptual. “conceptual” means adj. related to or based on ideas. Study “conceptual” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “fancy”:
C — ornate. “fancy” means adj. elaborate or decorative. Study “fancy” →
The excited fans stood at the gate, ______ the movie star's arrival.
A — awaiting. “awaiting” means v. waiting for something. Study “awaiting” →
Select the best synonym for the word “waiting”:
C — delay. “waiting” means n. the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time. Study “waiting” →
The bright red sign was there to ______ swimmers of the strong current.
C — warn. “warn” means v. to inform someone of a possible danger. Study “warn” →
Select the best synonym for the word “casually”:
D — informally. “casually” means adv. in a relaxed and informal way. Study “casually” →
It took several very strong men to ______ the struggling wild horse.
B — overpower. “overpower” means v. to defeat or gain control over. Study “overpower” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “confused”:
A — bewildered. “confused” means adj. unable to think clearly or understand. Study “confused” →
The kind nurse made ______ checks on the sleeping patient all night.
C — periodic. “periodic” means adj. occurring at regular intervals. Study “periodic” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “fill”:
A — stuff. “fill” means v. to make something full. Study “fill” →
Stories about deep outer space never fail to ______ young children.
B — fascinate. “fascinate” means v. to attract and hold the attention of someone. Study “fascinate” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unforgettable”:
C — memorable. “unforgettable” means adj. impossible to forget. Study “unforgettable” →
The ______ librarian showed us exactly where to find the old book.
D — helpful. “helpful” means adj. providing assistance or serving a useful function. Study “helpful” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “widespread”:
B — prevalent. “widespread” means adj. found or distributed over a large area. Study “widespread” →
Loud music can easily ______ a student who is trying hard to study.
D — distract. “distract” means v. to take someone''s attention away from something. Study “distract” →
Select the best synonym for the word “halve”:
D — bisect. “halve” means v. to divide into two equal parts. Study “halve” →
Please ______ the charger from the wall before you clean the phone.
A — disconnect. “disconnect” means v. to separate or detach. Study “disconnect” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “biting”:
A — piercing. “biting” means adj. very cold or harsh. Study “biting” →
Many strange fish ______ the dark, cold depths of the deep ocean.
A — inhabit. “inhabit” means v. to live in a place. Study “inhabit” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unmanageable”:
A — uncontrollable. “unmanageable” means adj. difficult or impossible to control or manage. Study “unmanageable” →
His firm ______ to help at all surprised everyone at the meeting.
C — refusal. “refusal” means n. the act of saying no to something. Study “refusal” →
Select the best synonym for the word “crack”:
B — fissure. “crack” means n. a line on the surface of something where it has broken. Study “crack” →
The ______ student stayed late every single day to finish her project.
C — hardworking. “hardworking” means adj. tending to work with energy and commitment. Study “hardworking” →
Select the best synonym for the word “heavy”:
B — weighty. “heavy” means adj. having great weight. Study “heavy” →
Their trip through the thick jungle turned into a real ______.
B — adventure. “adventure” means n. an unusual and exciting experience. Study “adventure” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “intellect”:
D — intelligence. “intellect” means n. the ability to think in a logical way and understand things, especially at an advanced level. Study “intellect” →
The story sounds made up, but every single word of it is ______.
C — actual. “actual” means adj. real or existing in fact. Study “actual” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “picture”:
A — image. “picture” means n. a painting, drawing, or photograph. Study “picture” →
After the huge holiday meal, everyone felt heavy, slow, and ______.
C — lethargic. “lethargic” means adj. feeling a lack of energy or interest. Study “lethargic” →
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.