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.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “particle”?
A — Speck. “particle” means n. very small piece. Study “particle” →
The clever parrot could ______ almost any sound it heard.
A — mimic. “mimic” means v. imitate. Study “mimic” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “majority”:
B — Plurality. “majority” means n. more than half. Study “majority” →
The pioneers traveled west to settle the wild, unexplored ______.
C — frontier. “frontier” means n. border between countries, limits. Study “frontier” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “passive”:
C — Inert. “passive” means adj. not active. Study “passive” →
A single spark was enough to ______ the dry pile of leaves.
A — ignite. “ignite” means v. set on fire, start. Study “ignite” →
Select the synonym for the word “plummet”:
C — fall. “plummet” means v. fall sharply. Study “plummet” →
Her ______ invention solved a problem that had puzzled experts for years.
D — ingenious. “ingenious” means adj. clever, inventive. Study “ingenious” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “feat”?
A — Achievement. “feat” means n. achievement, act. Study “feat” →
The flu is highly ______, so stay home if you feel sick.
C — contagious. “contagious” means adj. able to be spread from one to another. Study “contagious” →
What is the best synonym for the word “propel” as used in the following sentence? “The strong winds helped to propel the sailboat across the lake.”
D — drive. “propel” means v. push forward. Study “propel” →
The idea that black cats bring bad luck is just a silly ______.
D — superstition. “superstition” means n. irrational belief. Study “superstition” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to QUOTE:
A — Cite. “quote” means v./n. repeat someone’s words. Study “quote” →
The new skyscraper seemed to ______ high above every other building.
B — tower. “tower” means n. tall building; v. rise. Study “tower” →
Select the synonym for the word “dominate” as used in the sentence: The team managed to dominate the entire match with their superior strategy.
A — Overwhelm. “dominate” means v. control, rule over. Study “dominate” →
Detectives searched the room for any ______ of the missing jewels.
C — trace. “trace” means v./n. find evidence; small sign. Study “trace” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “deductive”:
A — Logical. “deductive” means adj. using general principles to infer. Study “deductive” →
The ______ hoped to earn a large profit from the new company.
D — investor. “investor” means n. person who puts money into something. Study “investor” →
Select the synonym for the word “durable”:
B — Resilient. “durable” means adj. long-lasting, tough. Study “durable” →
The ______ puppy ran around the yard without ever getting tired.
B — energetic. “energetic” means adj. full of energy. Study “energetic” →
Which of the following is the best synonym for the word “unique” as used in the sentence: “Her ability to solve complex problems is truly unique”?
C — Distinctive. “unique” means adj. one of a kind, special. Study “unique” →
Studying abroad gave her a wonderful ______ to learn a new language.
A — opportunity. “opportunity” means n. favorable chance. Study “opportunity” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym to “superior”.
C — Excellent. “superior” means adj. better, higher in quality. Study “superior” →
A gentle lullaby can ______ a crying baby to sleep.
C — soothe. “soothe” means v. calm, make less painful. Study “soothe” →
Choose the synonym for the word “efficient” from the options below:
B — capable. “efficient” means adj. productive without waste. Study “efficient” →
In order to successfully _________ wealth, one must save diligently and invest wisely.
A — accumulate. “accumulate” means v. to collect, gather. Study “accumulate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “volume”:
A — amount. “volume” means n. amount of space; book. Study “volume” →
The invention of the internet began a new ______ of communication.
C — era. “era” means n. period of time. Study “era” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “conflict” as used in the sentence: “The ongoing conflict between the two countries has affected their economies”?
B — dispute. “conflict” means n. fight or disagreement. Study “conflict” →
The icy, narrow mountain path was steep and ______.
A — treacherous. “treacherous” means adj. dangerous, unreliable. Study “treacherous” →
Which word is the best synonym for “formulate” as used in the sentence: The scientist needed to formulate a new hypothesis based on the experimental data?
A — Create. “formulate” means v. create or invent systematically. Study “formulate” →
Life in the quiet ______ village is very different from life in the city.
A — rural. “rural” means adj. countryside. Study “rural” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “medium”:
A — Average. “medium” means n./adj. middle size or method. Study “medium” →
The two candidates argued about many ______ issues during the debate.
A — political. “political” means adj. relating to government. Study “political” →
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.