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 “safety”:
A — security. “safety” means n. the condition of being protected from harm. Study “safety” →
The strange, ______ noise in the attic kept them awake all night long.
A — disturbing. “disturbing” means adj. causing anxiety or worry. Study “disturbing” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “apply”:
C — petition. “apply” means v. to make a formal request. Study “apply” →
A big, happy smile slowly spread across her whole ______.
B — face. “face” means n. the front part of the head where the eyes, nose, and mouth are. Study “face” →
Select the best synonym for the word “chain”:
D — series. “chain” means n. a series of connected links or rings. Study “chain” →
There was a ______ resemblance between the young girl and her own mother.
A — striking. “striking” means adj. very noticeable or impressive. Study “striking” →
Select the best synonym for the word “pit”:
A — hole. “pit” means n. a large hole in the ground. Study “pit” →
The rotten food gave off a ______ smell that filled the whole kitchen.
A — terrible. “terrible” means adj. very bad or unpleasant. Study “terrible” →
Select the best synonym for the word “definitive”:
C — conclusive. “definitive” means adj. conclusive and final. Study “definitive” →
His grades were quite ______, sometimes excellent and sometimes very poor.
C — inconsistent. “inconsistent” means adj. not staying the same throughout. Study “inconsistent” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “openness”:
A — receptiveness. “openness” means n. willingness to consider new ideas. Study “openness” →
After graduating, she bravely moved ______ to work in a distant country.
C — overseas. “overseas” means adv. in or to a foreign country across the sea. Study “overseas” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “level”:
B — flat. “level” means n. a specific height or line; adj. flat or even. Study “level” →
The ______ man never once told anyone where he was going or why.
A — secretive. “secretive” means adj. keeping one''s thoughts, actions, or intentions hidden. Study “secretive” →
Select the best synonym for the word “future”:
C — tomorrow. “future” means n. the time yet to come. Study “future” →
The ______ morning sun made the whole wet meadow sparkle after the rain.
B — bright. “bright” means adj. full of light or shining strongly. Study “bright” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “guilt”:
A — remorse. “guilt” means n. a feeling of having done something wrong. Study “guilt” →
The whole class worked together on a big, exciting science ______.
D — project. “project” means n. a planned piece of work with a specific purpose. Study “project” →
Select the best synonym for the word “astonishment”:
D — amazement. “astonishment” means n. great surprise or amazement. Study “astonishment” →
The witness's clear ______ helped the jury reach a fair, just decision.
A — testimony. “testimony” means n. a formal statement given in court. Study “testimony” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “clearly”:
C — obviously. “clearly” means adv. in a way that is easy to see or understand. Study “clearly” →
A good referee must always be ______ to both of the competing teams.
A — fair. “fair” means adj. treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination. Study “fair” →
Select the best synonym for the word “dwelling”:
A — residence. “dwelling” means n. a place where people live. Study “dwelling” →
It took great ______ to push the heavy boulder right off the road.
A — strength. “strength” means n. the quality of being strong. Study “strength” →
Select the best synonym for the word “occupation”:
A — profession. “occupation” means n. a job or profession. Study “occupation” →
The ______ chapter of the book answered all of the remaining questions.
A — final. “final” means adj. last in a series. Study “final” →
Select the best synonym for the word “trailer”:
C — caravan. “trailer” means n. a vehicle without an engine, pulled by another vehicle. Study “trailer” →
The ______ ruler demanded that everyone obey his every single command.
B — authoritarian. “authoritarian” means adj. favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority. Study “authoritarian” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “unit”:
B — component. “unit” means n. a single thing or person that is part of a larger group. Study “unit” →
The rich, dark soil was perfect for the ______ of corn and beans.
D — cultivation. “cultivation” means n. the act of growing crops or plants. Study “cultivation” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “respected”:
D — esteemed. “respected” means adj. admired and considered important. Study “respected” →
Add a little water to ______ the very strong juice before drinking it.
C — dilute. “dilute” means v. to make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water. Study “dilute” →
Select the best synonym for the word “enlarge”:
D — expand. “enlarge” means v. to make something bigger. Study “enlarge” →
The ancient Greek ______ spent his whole life asking very deep questions.
C — philosopher. “philosopher” means n. a person engaged or learned in philosophy. Study “philosopher” →
Select the best synonym for the word “questioning”:
C — interrogation. “questioning” means n. the action of asking questions. Study “questioning” →
The ______ new student rarely spoke unless someone spoke to her first.
C — reserved. “reserved” means adj. slow to reveal emotion or opinions. Study “reserved” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “punishment”:
A — penalty. “punishment” means n. a penalty given for a crime or bad behavior. Study “punishment” →
She proudly claimed to be a ______ of a famous old queen.
A — descendant. “descendant” means n. people who are the offspring of an ancestor. Study “descendant” →
Select the best synonym for the word “worry”:
A — fret. “worry” means v. to feel anxious or concerned about something. Study “worry” →
The huge store sold every ______ of candy that you could possibly imagine.
A — kind. “kind” means n. types or sorts of things. Study “kind” →
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.