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 “strain”:
A — exert. “strain” means v. to exert to the utmost. Study “strain” →
On that dark, ______ night, the ship struggled through the huge crashing waves.
D — stormy. “stormy” means adj. characterized by strong winds and rain. Study “stormy” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “practical”:
C — pragmatic. “practical” means adj. concerned with actual use or practice. Study “practical” →
It took a huge ______ to lift the heavy fallen log off the path.
C — effort. “effort” means n. a vigorous or determined attempt. Study “effort” →
Select the best synonym for the word “banking”:
D — finance. “banking” means n. the business conducted or services offered by a bank. Study “banking” →
The old repaired vase had lost the perfect ______ it once had.
A — wholeness. “wholeness” means n. the state of being complete or whole. Study “wholeness” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unspoken”:
C — implicit. “unspoken” means adj. not expressed in words; implicit. Study “unspoken” →
The old sailor told us an exciting ______ about a giant sea monster.
D — tale. “tale” means n. a story, especially one that might be invented or difficult to believe. Study “tale” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “question”:
B — inquiry. “question” means n. a sentence worded to elicit information. Study “question” →
The clever ______ studied every tiny clue to solve the strange mystery.
A — detective. “detective” means n. a person who investigates crimes. Study “detective” →
Select the best synonym for the word “invent”:
D — devise. “invent” means v. to create something new. Study “invent” →
Losing the game so unfairly was sure to ______ the whole tired team.
D — enrage. “enrage” means v. to make someone very angry. Study “enrage” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “happiness”:
B — joy. “happiness” means n. the state of being happy. Study “happiness” →
The empty, silent old house felt cold, dark, and ______.
D — depressing. “depressing” means adj. making you feel sad. Study “depressing” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “win”:
B — triumph. “win” means v. to achieve victory in a contest or competition. Study “win” →
The tiny kitten was still ______ to climb up the tall wooden fence.
D — unable. “unable” means adj. not having the ability to do something. Study “unable” →
Select the best synonym for the word “self-possession”:
A — composure. “self-possession” means n. the ability to remain calm and confident in difficult situations. Study “self-possession” →
The main ______ of the long meeting was to plan the summer festival.
D — purpose. “purpose” means n. the reason for which something is done. Study “purpose” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “shock”:
D — jolt. “shock” means n. a sudden and strong feeling of surprise. Study “shock” →
The library is a quiet place for ______ study and careful reading.
D — academic. “academic” means adj. related to education or scholarly activities. Study “academic” →
Select the best synonym for the word “poison”:
A — toxin. “poison” means n. a substance that can cause harm or death if taken into the body. Study “poison” →
The ancient cave ______ painted pictures of wild animals on the stone walls.
C — dwellers. “dwellers” means n. people who live in a particular place. Study “dwellers” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “determined”:
C — resolute. “determined” means adj. having a strong desire to do something. Study “determined” →
May I ______ that we all take a short break before the next meeting?
C — suggest. “suggest” means v. to propose an idea or plan. Study “suggest” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “hold”:
B — grip. “hold” means v. to grasp or carry with one''s hands. Study “hold” →
A single loud noise can ______ a huge avalanche on the snowy mountain.
A — trigger. “trigger” means v. to cause something to happen; n. a small device that releases a spring or catch. Study “trigger” →
Select the best synonym for the word “things”:
A — items. “things” means n. objects or items. Study “things” →
She gave a large ______ of her lunch to her very hungry little brother.
B — portion. “portion” means n. a part or share of something. Study “portion” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “thriving”:
D — flourishing. “thriving” means adj. growing or developing successfully. Study “thriving” →
This quiet ______ of the city is full of leafy parks and gardens.
A — area. “area” means n. a particular part of a place, city, country, etc.. Study “area” →
Select the best synonym for the word “nearness”:
A — proximity. “nearness” means n. the quality of being close in space, time, or relationship. Study “nearness” →
The very busy doctor ______ has any time to take a real vacation.
D — rarely. “rarely” means adv. not often; seldom. Study “rarely” →
Select the best synonym for the word “faultless”:
A — flawless. “faultless” means adj. without any mistakes or flaws. Study “faultless” →
As a true ______, he imagined a peaceful world with no hunger at all.
D — dreamer. “dreamer” means n. a person who dreams or has big ideas. Study “dreamer” →
Select the best synonym for the word “magnet”:
B — lodestone. “magnet” means n. an object that attracts iron and some other materials. Study “magnet” →
The old, ______ house had broken windows and a badly leaking roof.
A — run-down. “run-down” means adj. in poor condition or neglected. Study “run-down” →
Select the best synonym for the word “expectancy”:
C — anticipation. “expectancy” means n. the state of thinking or hoping something will happen. Study “expectancy” →
The tired soldier bravely held his ______ at the gate all through the night.
D — position. “position” means n. the place where someone or something is located or has been put. Study “position” →
Select the best synonym for the word “corrode”:
B — erode. “corrode” means v. to destroy or damage slowly by chemical action. Study “corrode” →
The workers dug a deep ______ to hold the strong foundation of the house.
B — pit. “pit” means n. a large hole in the ground. Study “pit” →
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.