34 Verbal Reasoning questions — Part 1: 17 synonym, Part 2: 17 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 word that is closest in meaning to “intrude”:
A — Insert. “intrude” means v. enter without invitation. Study “intrude” →
Select the synonym for the word “tension” as used in the sentence: There was a palpable tension in the room before the announcement was made.
C — Strain. “tension” means n. mental strain; tightness. Study “tension” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “focus”?
B — Emphasize. “focus” means v./n. concentrate, center. Study “focus” →
Select the synonym for the word “require” as used in the sentence: To enroll in the advanced mathematics class, students must require approval from their current teacher.
A — demand. “require” means v. need, demand. Study “require” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “emerge” as used in the sentence: “After the storm, the sun began to emerge from behind the clouds.”
B — Appear. “emerge” means v. come out, appear. Study “emerge” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “adjoining” as used in the sentence: “The adjoining rooms have a shared doorway.”
A — next. “adjoining” means adj. next to, neighboring. Study “adjoining” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “onset”:
A — beginning. “onset” means n. beginning, start. Study “onset” →
Choose the synonym for the word “resolution” as used in the following sentence: Her resolution to improve her grades was evident in her study habits.
C — determination. “resolution” means n. firm decision; solving problem. Study “resolution” →
Select the synonym for the following word in context: The massive ship was clearly visible from the shore.
C — Enormous. “massive” means adj. very big and heavy. Study “massive” →
Choose the word closest in meaning to “primary”:
A — major. “primary” means adj. main, most important. Study “primary” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “boundary”:
A — Limit. “boundary” means n. dividing line. Study “boundary” →
Select the word that is a synonym for “voyage”:
A — Journey. “voyage” means n. long journey by sea or space. Study “voyage” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “remorse”?
A — Regret. “remorse” means n. deep regret. Study “remorse” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “grateful”:
A — Thankful. “grateful” means adj. thankful, appreciative. Study “grateful” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “increase”?
A — Expand. “increase” means v./n. make or become larger. Study “increase” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word “predicament” as used in the sentence: Finding himself in a financial predicament, George had to ask his family for help.
B — dilemma. “predicament” means n. difficult situation. Study “predicament” →
In the height of the debate, she became furious when her ideas were dismissed. Which word is the best synonym for “furious”?
A — Angry. “furious” means adj. very angry, raging. Study “furious” →
A huge ______ of bees buzzed around the blooming apple tree.
A — swarm. “swarm” means n./v. large group; move in group. Study “swarm” →
In the thrilling novel, the story reaches its ______ when the hero defeats the villain.
C — climax. “climax” means n. the most exciting point. Study “climax” →
Her ______ to become a doctor kept her studying late every night.
A — ambition. “ambition” means n. desire for success. Study “ambition” →
She called the office to ______ about the new job opening.
B — inquire. “inquire” means v. ask, investigate. Study “inquire” →
The main ______ of the story is the importance of true friendship.
D — theme. “theme” means n. subject, topic. Study “theme” →
In the context of the 18th century, the American __________ was a significant event that changed the course of history.
B — Revolution. “revolution” means n. big change, political overthrow. Study “revolution” →
We should ______ water by taking shorter showers.
A — conserve. “conserve” means v. protect from harm or loss. Study “conserve” →
In order to ensure the stability of the structure, the engineers decided to _______ the foundation using additional steel beams.
A — enhance. “reinforce” means v. strengthen. Study “reinforce” →
The manager gave a ______ speech that lasted only two minutes.
B — brief. “brief” means adj. short, not lasting long. Study “brief” →
The whole village gathered for the annual harvest ______.
B — festival. “festival” means n. celebration, holiday. Study “festival” →
After much ______, she decided to accept the new job offer.
B — consideration. “consideration” means n. careful thought. Study “consideration” →
Many people ______ her as the finest violinist of her generation.
C — regard. “regard” means v./n. consider, respect. Study “regard” →
In the old market, farmers would ______ vegetables for tools instead of using money.
B — barter. “barter” means v./n. trade by exchange. Study “barter” →
The powerful movie tries to ______ the hardships of life during the war.
B — portray. “portray” means v. describe, show in art or words. Study “portray” →
The painting was admired for its striking ______, showing every wrinkle and shadow.
A — realism. “realism” means n. practical view, art style. Study “realism” →
The deep, booming voice sounded strong and ______.
D — masculine. “masculine” means adj. male, manly. Study “masculine” →
The old sailor had a rolling ______ from many years at sea.
D — gait. “gait” means n. manner of walking. Study “gait” →
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.
34 — Part 1 is 17 synonym questions, Part 2 is 17 sentence-completion questions, the same roughly-even split the real ISEE Verbal Reasoning section uses.
No. Every Lower 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.