34 Verbal Reasoning questions — 17 synonym, 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 best synonym for the word “attain” as used in the following sentence: After years of dedication and hard work, she was finally able to attain her dream of becoming a doctor.
B — Achieve. “attain” means v. reach, achieve. Study “attain” →
We heard distant thunder ______ across the darkening evening sky.
D — rumble. “rumble” means v./n. make a deep sound. Study “rumble” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym to “honorable”.
A — Respectable. “honorable” means adj. worthy of respect. Study “honorable” →
The bad fall caused a small ______ in his left arm.
D — fracture. “fracture” means n./v. break or crack. Study “fracture” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “brilliant”: The scientist''s brilliant solution to the problem impressed everyone in the lab.
B — Genius. “brilliant” means adj. very bright, clever. Study “brilliant” →
The substitute teacher struggled with the ______ class all afternoon.
B — unruly. “unruly” means adj. hard to control, wild. Study “unruly” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “remote”:
A — distant. “remote” means adj. far away, distant. Study “remote” →
As the manager, she had the ______ to approve the budget.
C — authority. “authority” means n. power or right. Study “authority” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “stock”.
B — inventory. “stock” means n. supply; share; v. store. Study “stock” →
The ______ heat made it impossible to play outside all afternoon.
C — excessive. “excessive” means adj. too much. Study “excessive” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym for the word “tower”.
A — spire. “tower” means n. tall building; v. rise. Study “tower” →
The workers wore masks because the chemicals were ______.
D — hazardous. “hazardous” means adj. dangerous, risky. Study “hazardous” →
In the following sentence, select the best synonym for the word “restore”: After the storm damaged the house, the owner took steps to restore it to its original condition.
A — Repair. “restore” means v. bring back, repair, return. Study “restore” →
In the early 20th century, many countries began to expand ______, granting more people the right to vote.
A — suffrage. “suffrage” means n. right to vote. Study “suffrage” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “dialogue”: During the play, the characters engaged in a lively dialogue about their future plans.
A — conversation. “dialogue” means n. conversation between two people. Study “dialogue” →
The dark, heavy clouds were ______ of the storm that was soon to come.
A — suggestive. “suggestive” means adj. hinting at something. Study “suggestive” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “antagonist”:
B — adversary. “antagonist” means n. opponent. Study “antagonist” →
The ______ elephant was by far the biggest animal at the zoo.
C — enormous. “enormous” means adj. very large. Study “enormous” →
In the harsh winter, the stranded hikers sought refuge from the blizzard in a small cabin. What does “refuge” mean in this context?
B — Shelter. “refuge” means n. shelter, protection. Study “refuge” →
Great athletes ______ to improve a little more each and every day.
D — strive. “strive” means v. try hard. Study “strive” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “dose”:
A — amount. “dose” means n. amount of medicine. Study “dose” →
As a citizen, voting is not just a right but also a serious ______.
C — obligation. “obligation” means n. duty, responsibility. Study “obligation” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “denial”:
B — Rejection. “denial” means n. refusing to accept. Study “denial” →
A hidden door led to the castle's ______ chamber.
C — inner. “inner” means adj. inside. Study “inner” →
Choose the synonym for the word “Delightful” used in the context of a pleasant experience.
B — Charming. “delightful” means adj. very pleasing. Study “delightful” →
The painting captured a striking ______ of the young queen.
D — likeness. “likeness” means n. similarity, portrait. Study “likeness” →
Which word is the best synonym for the word “manipulate”?
A — Control. “manipulate” means v. control or influence cleverly. Study “manipulate” →
The smell of fresh bread continued to ______ in the warm kitchen.
A — linger. “linger” means v. stay for a long time. Study “linger” →
In the context of the sentence, the word “inferior” most closely means:
B — Substandard. “inferior” means adj. lower in quality. Study “inferior” →
The host gave us a ______ welcome and offered us tea.
A — cordial. “cordial” means adj. warm and friendly. Study “cordial” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “glare” as used in the sentence: The teacher''s stern ______ made the students fall silent.
C — stare. “glare” means v. stare angrily; n. strong light. Study “glare” →
The bride's elegant gown was trimmed with fine white ______.
D — lace. “lace” means n./v. delicate fabric; tie with string. Study “lace” →
Select the best synonym for the word “reinforce”:
A — bolster. “reinforce” means v. strengthen. Study “reinforce” →
The bright curtains began to ______ after years in the strong sun.
B — fade. “fade” means v. lose color or strength. Study “fade” →
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 — 17 synonym questions and 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.