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 word that is closest in meaning to “expanse”.
A — region. “expanse” means n. wide, open area. Study “expanse” →
The rich, ______ soil was perfect for growing vegetables.
A — moist. “moist” means adj. slightly wet. Study “moist” →
Choose the word closest in meaning to “advance”.
B — Proceed. “advance” means v. move forward. Study “advance” →
In college he studied ______, questioning the very meaning of life.
D — philosophy. “philosophy” means n. study of fundamental knowledge. Study “philosophy” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “cooperate”:
A — Collaborate. “cooperate” means v. work together. Study “cooperate” →
The ______ between the two cars blocked traffic for hours.
D — collision. “collision” means n. crash, coming together. Study “collision” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “emphasis”?
A — Focus. “emphasis” means n. special importance. Study “emphasis” →
Everyone is entitled to share their own ______ about the new film.
D — opinion. “opinion” means n. personal belief or view. Study “opinion” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for drowsy?
C — Sleepy. “drowsy” means adj. sleepy. Study “drowsy” →
One dollar is roughly ______ to one hundred cents.
B — equivalent. “equivalent” means adj./n. equal in value. Study “equivalent” →
Select the best synonym for the word “rage”:
C — fury. “rage” means n./v. extreme anger. Study “rage” →
Under no ______ should you open the door to a stranger.
D — circumstance. “circumstance” means n. a fact or condition. Study “circumstance” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “access”.
A — Entry. “access” means n. approach, entry. Study “access” →
Kindness is the ______ she admires most in her closest friends.
A — trait. “trait” means n. characteristic, quality. Study “trait” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “fidget”.
C — Twitch. “fidget” means v. move restlessly. Study “fidget” →
A sunny, quiet beach is the ______ place to relax.
A — ideal. “ideal” means n./adj. perfect, best possible. Study “ideal” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “refer” as used in the sentence: “In his speech, the politician would frequently refer to the importance of education.”
A — mention. “refer” means v. mention, relate to. Study “refer” →
Saying that you are starving to death is a common ______.
D — hyperbole. “hyperbole” means n. exaggerated statement. Study “hyperbole” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “awe”. The discovery of the ancient ruins left the archaeologists in complete awe.
C — wonder. “awe” means n./v. wonder with fear/respect. Study “awe” →
The slow, gentle music put the listeners into a peaceful ______.
B — trance. “trance” means n. dazed or hypnotized state. Study “trance” →
Choose the synonym for the word in context: The king and queen attended the royal banquet held at the palace.
B — Regal. “royal” means adj. relating to king/queen. Study “royal” →
The club's ______ clearly states the rules that all members must follow.
B — charter. “charter” means n. constitution, contract. Study “charter” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “contagious”: The common cold is highly contagious, spreading quickly from person to person.
A — infectious. “contagious” means adj. able to be spread from one to another. Study “contagious” →
The clear night sky was filled with ______ twinkling stars.
B — numerous. “numerous” means adj. very many. Study “numerous” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “encounter”: During our hike, we encountered a bear near the river.
B — met. “encounter” means v./n. meet, especially unexpectedly. Study “encounter” →
Several parents began to ______ to the school's strict new rule.
A — object. “object” means n. thing; v. express opposition. Study “object” →
Choose the synonym for the word “knock” as used in the sentence: Please knock before entering the room.
A — tap. “knock” means v./n. hit a door for attention; hit. Study “knock” →
The mother was filled with ______ when she learned her son was missing.
D — anguish. “anguish” means n. severe pain, suffering. Study “anguish” →
Choose the word that is the best synonym for “humiliate” in the following sentence: His thoughtless remarks served only to _______ her in front of her friends.
B — embarrass. “humiliate” means v. embarrass, make ashamed. Study “humiliate” →
A poor diet and no exercise can ______ in serious health problems.
D — result. “result” means n./v. outcome, happen because of. Study “result” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “extinct”?
A — Vanished. “extinct” means adj. no longer existing. Study “extinct” →
The photograph froze the dancers in a single ______ pose.
C — static. “static” means adj. not moving, unchanging. Study “static” →
Which word is the best synonym for finance?
C — Fund. “finance” means n./v. money matters, fund. Study “finance” →
The new law makes ______ against workers illegal.
D — discrimination. “discrimination” means n. unfair treatment; ability to distinguish. Study “discrimination” →
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.