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 “reproduce”:
B — replicate. “reproduce” means v. to make a copy of something. Study “reproduce” →
The ______ young pianist could play very difficult songs entirely by ear.
C — gifted. “gifted” means adj. having exceptional talent or natural ability. Study “gifted” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “sincere”:
D — genuine. “sincere” means adj. honest and genuine. Study “sincere” →
The nurse held the tall ladder ______ while the painter climbed up.
A — steady. “steady” means adj. firmly fixed, constant, not changing. Study “steady” →
Select the best synonym for the word “posture”:
D — stance. “posture” means n. the way in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting. Study “posture” →
The wise old ______ listened very carefully to both sides before deciding.
D — judge. “judge” means n. a person who decides cases in a court of law; v. to form an opinion about something. Study “judge” →
Select the best synonym for the word “governmental”:
C — administrative. “governmental” means adj. relating to the government. Study “governmental” →
Despite her great fame, the ______ singer stayed simple and friendly.
D — down-to-earth. “down-to-earth” means adj. practical and realistic. Study “down-to-earth” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “assign”:
C — allocate. “assign” means v. to give someone a task or responsibility. Study “assign” →
The soft, warm blanket gave her great ______ on the freezing cold night.
C — comfort. “comfort” means n. a state of physical ease. Study “comfort” →
Select the best synonym for the word “aggression”:
B — hostility. “aggression” means n. hostile or violent behavior or attitudes. Study “aggression” →
With enough hard work, you can ______ almost any goal you set.
A — achieve. “achieve” means v. to successfully reach a goal, often through effort. Study “achieve” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “seaside”:
B — beach. “seaside” means n. a place by the sea, especially a beach area or holiday resort. Study “seaside” →
The old ______ kept all the children spellbound with his amazing tales.
B — storyteller. “storyteller” means n. a person who tells stories. Study “storyteller” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “based”:
C — founded. “based” means adj. having a base or foundation. Study “based” →
Regular exercise has a ______ effect on both the body and the mind.
A — positive. “positive” means adj. having a good or beneficial effect. Study “positive” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “unreadable”:
B — illegible. “unreadable” means adj. not able to be read or deciphered. Study “unreadable” →
The graceful dancer gave a ______ performance without a single mistake.
B — flawless. “flawless” means adj. without any imperfections or defects. Study “flawless” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “scattered”:
B — dispersed. “scattered” means adj. spread or thrown about in different places. Study “scattered” →
Use strong tape to ______ the big poster firmly to the classroom wall.
A — stick. “stick” means v. to attach or hold something with an adhesive substance. Study “stick” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “unenthusiastic”:
D — apathetic. “unenthusiastic” means adj. not showing excitement or interest. Study “unenthusiastic” →
The boy received a very stern ______ for tracking mud all through the house.
A — scolding. “scolding” means n. an angry reprimand or criticism. Study “scolding” →
Select the best synonym for the word “commander”:
D — leader. “commander” means n. a person in charge. Study “commander” →
The medicine had such a ______ taste that the child quickly spat it out.
B — bitter. “bitter” means adj. having a sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling. Study “bitter” →
Select the best synonym for the word “ruled”:
C — governed. “ruled” means v. past tense of rule; to have controlled or governed. Study “ruled” →
The mechanic needed a whole long day to ______ the old car's engine.
C — overhaul. “overhaul” means v. to take apart and repair. Study “overhaul” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “spoiling”:
D — damaging. “spoiling” means v. present participle of spoil; ruining or damaging. Study “spoiling” →
Only a small ______ of the old brick wall was still standing after the fire.
A — remnant. “remnant” means n. a small remaining quantity of something. Study “remnant” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “style”:
B — manner. “style” means n. a particular way of doing something. Study “style” →
He gave a ______ laugh and quickly dismissed the young man's clever idea.
A — scornful. “scornful” means adj. feeling or expressing contempt or derision. Study “scornful” →
Select the best synonym for the word “afraid”:
D — fearful. “afraid” means adj. feeling fear or anxiety. Study “afraid” →
It was very ______ of him to laugh at the girl's small, simple mistake.
B — mean. “mean” means v. to signify or intend; adj. unkind or unpleasant. Study “mean” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “fortress”:
C — stronghold. “fortress” means n. a large, strong building used for defense. Study “fortress” →
By the time she arrived, all of the good seats had already been ______.
B — taken. “taken” means v. past participle of take; to have captured or seized. Study “taken” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “skyline”:
D — horizon. “skyline” means n. the outline of buildings, mountains, etc., against the sky. Study “skyline” →
No one at all could predict the ______ of the very close election.
B — outcome. “outcome” means n. the result or effect of an action or event. Study “outcome” →
Select the best synonym for the word “boundless”:
D — limitless. “boundless” means adj. having no limits. Study “boundless” →
The old car passed a careful safety ______ before it was finally sold.
B — inspection. “inspection” means n. a careful examination or review. Study “inspection” →
Select the best synonym for the word “resilience”:
A — toughness. “resilience” means n. the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. Study “resilience” →
Skipping too many meals will slowly ______ your whole body over time.
A — weaken. “weaken” means v. to make or become less strong. Study “weaken” →
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.