30 Verbal Reasoning questions — Part 1: 15 synonym, Part 2: 15 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.
Note: The real ISEE Primary Level (for applicants to grades 2–4) is Auditory Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and a writing sample — it has no Verbal Reasoning section, so the real Primary-level test never asks a synonym or sentence-completion question. This practice test borrows that question style from the Lower/Middle/Upper Verbal Reasoning format purely to help younger students build vocabulary early, ahead of the level where it is actually tested that way.
Select the best synonym for the word “display”:
A — exhibit. “display” means v. to show or exhibit something. Study “display” →
Select the best synonym for the word “stronger”:
A — mightier. “stronger” means adj. more strong. Study “stronger” →
Select the best synonym for the word “shun”:
C — ostracize. “shun” means v. to avoid someone or something. Study “shun” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “shine”:
D — glow. “shine” means v. to give off light. Study “shine” →
Select the best synonym for the word “clear”:
B — evident. “clear” means adj. easy to understand; free from confusion. Study “clear” →
Select the best synonym for the word “temporary”:
A — transient. “temporary” means adj. lasting for a limited time. Study “temporary” →
Select the best synonym for the word “concern”:
C — worry. “concern” means n. a matter of interest or importance to someone. Study “concern” →
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” →
Select the best synonym for the word “completely”:
B — totally. “completely” means adv. totally; fully. Study “completely” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “improve”:
D — enhance. “improve” means v. to make something better. Study “improve” →
Select the best synonym for the word “soak”:
A — drench. “soak” means v. to immerse in liquid for a period of time. Study “soak” →
Select the best synonym for the word “unpredictable”:
A — erratic. “unpredictable” means adj. not able to be predicted. Study “unpredictable” →
Select the best synonym for the word “speech”:
C — address. “speech” means n. a formal talk given to an audience. Study “speech” →
Select the best synonym for the word “overpower”:
A — overwhelm. “overpower” means v. to defeat or gain control over. Study “overpower” →
Select the best synonym for the word “payment”:
A — remittance. “payment” means n. the act of paying money. Study “payment” →
By ______ to ever give up, the tired team finally won the long match.
A — refusing. “refusing” means v. the act of saying no. Study “refusing” →
From the high cliff, a magnificent ______ of the blue ocean opened before them.
A — vista. “vista” means n. a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening. Study “vista” →
She spoke so ______ that everyone believed she truly meant every word.
A — earnestly. “earnestly” means adv. in a serious and sincere way. Study “earnestly” →
A strong sudden gust of wind can easily ______ a small, light canoe.
D — overturn. “overturn” means v. to turn something upside down or to reverse a decision. Study “overturn” →
The ______ little mouse hid in its hole whenever the big cat came near.
D — timid. “timid” means adj. shy and lacking in confidence. Study “timid” →
She was fully ______ of the many dangers before she began the climb.
D — aware. “aware” means adj. knowing about something. Study “aware” →
The ______ villagers all worked together to rebuild the broken bridge.
B — united. “united” means adj. joined together for a common purpose. Study “united” →
There is a striking ______ between the two young brothers' faces.
B — similarity. “similarity” means n. the state of being alike. Study “similarity” →
After three sleepless nights, his ______ face looked pale, drawn, and thin.
B — haggard. “haggard” means adj. looking tired and worn out. Study “haggard” →
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” →
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” →
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” →
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” →
The ______ winter storm dropped three whole feet of snow overnight.
B — severe. “severe” means adj. very bad or serious. Study “severe” →
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” →
Score:
Every question below is now marked up: the correct answer is highlighted in red, and any option you picked that was wrong is highlighted in blue.
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.
The real ISEE Primary Level (for applicants to grades 2–4) is Auditory Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and a writing sample — it has no Verbal Reasoning section, so the real Primary-level test never asks a synonym or sentence-completion question. This practice test borrows that question style from the Lower/Middle/Upper Verbal Reasoning format purely to help younger students build vocabulary early, ahead of the level where it is actually tested that way.
30 — Part 1 is 15 synonym questions, Part 2 is 15 sentence-completion questions, the same roughly-even split the real ISEE Verbal Reasoning section uses.
No. Every Primary 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.