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 best synonym for the word “anecdote” as used in the sentence: “The speaker shared a humorous anecdote that captivated the audience.”
A — Story. “anecdote” means n. short, interesting story. Study “anecdote” →
Select the synonym for the word “awkward”: Though she was eager to make a good impression, her __________ remarks during the meeting left everyone feeling uneasy.
A — uncomfortable. “awkward” means adj. clumsy, uncomfortable. Study “awkward” →
In the story, the character decided to retaliate against his rival. What does the word “retaliate” most nearly mean?
B — avenge. “retaliate” means v. take revenge. Study “retaliate” →
In the garden, the seeds began to germinate after a few days of rainfall. What is the synonym of “germinate”?
B — sprout. “germinate” means v. start growing. Study “germinate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “inflated”: After checking the tire, she found it was overly inflated.
B — expanded. “inflated” means adj. filled with air; exaggerated. Study “inflated” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “defend”:
B — guard. “defend” means v. protect, guard. Study “defend” →
In which of the following sentences does the word “forecast” best fit? A) The weather ________ predicted sunshine for the weekend. B) The gardener used a ________ to dig holes for planting. C) The musician played a ________ at the concert. D) The chef used a ________ to bake the cake.
A — forecast. “forecast” means n./v. predict future. Study “forecast” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “proceed”?
A — Continue. “proceed” means v. go forward, continue. Study “proceed” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “theme”?
B — subject. “theme” means n. subject, topic. Study “theme” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “imagery”?
A — Description. “imagery” means n. description that appeals to the senses. Study “imagery” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “appoint”:
B — designate. “appoint” means v. assign to a job or position. Study “appoint” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “identical”.
C — Identical. “identical” means adj. exactly alike. Study “identical” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “federal” as used in the sentence: “The federal government has proposed new legislation.”
A — national. “federal” means adj. national, central government. Study “federal” →
Which word is the best synonym for “inference”?
B — Conclusion. “inference” means n. conclusion drawn from evidence. Study “inference” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “Navigate” as used in the sentence: The captain had to navigate the stormy seas with skill.
A — Steer. “navigate” means v. direct course, find way. Study “navigate” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “merge”?
C — Combine. “merge” means v. combine, join together. Study “merge” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “direct”:
B — straightforward. “direct” means v./adj. control, give orders; straight. Study “direct” →
Every ______ in the packed stadium cheered when the home team scored.
A — spectator. “spectator” means n. person watching an event. Study “spectator” →
Congress voted to ______ the official for breaking the law.
B — impeach. “impeach” means v. formally accuse a public official. Study “impeach” →
Despite all her troubles, she kept a cheerful ______ on life.
D — outlook. “outlook” means n. view; expectancy, perspective. Study “outlook” →
Chemicals leaking from the factory can ______ the river's water.
D — contaminate. “contaminate” means v. make dirty or impure. Study “contaminate” →
Only staff members are given ______ to the restricted laboratory.
B — access. “access” means n. approach, entry. Study “access” →
The guard refused him ______ because he had no ticket.
B — admission. “admission” means n. permission to enter; confession. Study “admission” →
The teacher will ______ one student to lead each small group.
A — designate. “designate” means v. choose for a purpose. Study “designate” →
The ______ climate brings very hot summers and freezing winters far from any sea.
B — continental. “continental” means adj. of or related to a continent. Study “continental” →
The thief's ______ helped the police finally close the case.
D — confession. “confession” means n. admitting the truth or fault. Study “confession” →
The plan cannot move forward without the manager's ______.
D — approval. “approval” means n. agreement, permission. Study “approval” →
A hearty breakfast should ______ your hunger until lunchtime.
D — satisfy. “satisfy” means v. to please, meet needs. Study “satisfy” →
The teacher gave a clear ______ of why the experiment had failed.
A — explanation. “explanation” means n. reason or justification. Study “explanation” →
The retired general wrote a ______ about his many years in the army.
D — memoir. “memoir” means n. written record of one''s memories. Study “memoir” →
The ______ between the two towns is about fifty miles.
B — distance. “distance” means n. space between two points. Study “distance” →
The dodo bird became ______ hundreds of years ago.
C — extinct. “extinct” means adj. no longer existing. Study “extinct” →
The huge science ______ displayed inventions from around the world.
D — exposition. “exposition” means n. detailed explanation or exhibition. Study “exposition” →
The movement fought for ______ between all races and genders.
D — equality. “equality” means n. being equal. Study “equality” →
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.