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 “lenient”:
B — merciful. “lenient” means adj. not strict; showing mercy. Study “lenient” →
The strong camping tent was made from a tough, waterproof ______.
D — material. “material” means n. the substance or substances from which something is made. Study “material” →
Select the best synonym for the word “estrange”:
D — alienate. “estrange” means v. to cause someone to be no longer friendly or close. Study “estrange” →
The happy children built a big sandcastle down on the sunny ______.
B — seashore. “seashore” means n. the land along the edge of the sea. Study “seashore” →
Select the best synonym for the word “musical”:
A — melodic. “musical” means adj. relating to music; n. a play or movie with singing and dancing. Study “musical” →
The drummer began to ______ the drum in a strong, steady rhythm.
A — beat. “beat” means v. to strike repeatedly. Study “beat” →
Select the best synonym for the word “distinguish”:
C — differentiate. “distinguish” means v. to recognize or point out a difference. Study “distinguish” →
The ______ mountain path was just wide enough for one person to walk.
C — narrow. “narrow” means adj. having a small width; v. to make something less wide. Study “narrow” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “dazed”:
C — stunned. “dazed” means adj. unable to think clearly. Study “dazed” →
Even during the fierce storm, the captain stayed perfectly ______.
A — calm. “calm” means adj. not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions. Study “calm” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “prohibition”:
D — ban. “prohibition” means n. the act of officially not allowing something. Study “prohibition” →
The light, ______ shelves can be rolled easily from one room to another.
D — movable. “movable” means adj. capable of being moved. Study “movable” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “shallow”:
B — superficial. “shallow” means adj. not deep. Study “shallow” →
He looked utterly ______ after failing the very important exam.
D — dejected. “dejected” means adj. sad and depressed; dispirited. Study “dejected” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “needing”:
A — requiring. “needing” means v. requiring something because it is essential or very important. Study “needing” →
A large heavy car can ______ a lot of fuel on a long highway journey.
D — consume. “consume” means v. to use up or eat. Study “consume” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “peacemaking”:
A — mediation. “peacemaking” means n. the process of establishing peace. Study “peacemaking” →
The two leaders ______ signed the peace agreement in front of the cameras.
B — formally. “formally” means adv. in a formal manner. Study “formally” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “neighboring”:
A — adjacent. “neighboring” means adj. located next to or near another. Study “neighboring” →
The bored young child began to ______ in his seat during the long lecture.
B — squirm. “squirm” means v. to twist or move uncomfortably. Study “squirm” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “well-known”:
B — famous. “well-known” means adj. known by many people. Study “well-known” →
A huge ______ of dark storm clouds gathered before the coming rain.
D — mass. “mass” means n. a large amount or number of something. Study “mass” →
Select the best synonym for the word “classical”:
D — traditional. “classical” means adj. relating to ancient Greek or Roman literature, art, or culture. Study “classical” →
Warm sun and rich, dark soil provide the ______ conditions for the plants.
D — optimal. “optimal” means adj. best or most effective. Study “optimal” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “loathsome”:
B — repulsive. “loathsome” means adj. causing hatred or disgust. Study “loathsome” →
The tired mother tried hard to ______ the crying baby with a soft song.
C — pacify. “pacify” means v. to calm someone down. Study “pacify” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “group”:
A — cluster. “group” means n. a number of people or things that are together. Study “group” →
The strong man lifted the heavy box ______ with just one hand.
C — easily. “easily” means adv. without difficulty. Study “easily” →
Select the best synonym for the word “suppose”:
C — assume. “suppose” means v. to think or believe something is true. Study “suppose” →
The ______ guests warmly thanked their host for the wonderful meal.
D — appreciative. “appreciative” means adj. feeling or showing gratitude. Study “appreciative” →
Select the best synonym for the word “hopeful”:
D — optimistic. “hopeful” means adj. feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event. Study “hopeful” →
He felt truly ______ for shouting so loudly at his little sister.
C — sorry. “sorry” means adj. feeling regret or penitence. Study “sorry” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “each”:
C — every. “each” means adj./pron. every one of two or more people or things. Study “each” →
The honest boy received a small ______ for returning the lost fat wallet.
D — reward. “reward” means n. something given in return for good work or behavior. Study “reward” →
Select the best synonym for the word “influence”:
A — sway. “influence” means n. the power to have an effect on people or things. Study “influence” →
It was a ______ choice to save some money for the hard times ahead.
B — wise. “wise” means adj. having or showing good judgment and knowledge. Study “wise” →
Select the best synonym for the word “bad-tempered”:
D — irritable. “bad-tempered” means adj. easily annoyed or made angry. Study “bad-tempered” →
The ______ nurse gently comforted the frightened little patient.
A — compassionate. “compassionate” means adj. showing sympathy and concern for others. Study “compassionate” →
Select the best synonym for the word “snub”:
C — rebuff. “snub” means v. to ignore or reject someone in a cold manner. Study “snub” →
On the quiet, sunny beach, she finally felt calm and completely ______.
C — relaxed. “relaxed” means adj. free from tension and anxiety. Study “relaxed” →
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.