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 “equivalent”:
C — Equal. “equivalent” means adj./n. equal in value. Study “equivalent” →
The knights swore ______ to their king and promised to serve him.
B — allegiance. “allegiance” means n. loyalty. Study “allegiance” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “treacherous”:
A — Dangerous. “treacherous” means adj. dangerous, unreliable. Study “treacherous” →
The bored child began to ______ during the very long ceremony.
C — fidget. “fidget” means v. move restlessly. Study “fidget” →
Choose the synonym for the following word: Manufacture.
A — Create. “manufacture” means v./n. make products. Study “manufacture” →
Caring for the whole family alone was a heavy ______ for the young girl.
B — burden. “burden” means n. a heavy load, responsibility. Study “burden” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym to “nestle”:
A — Snuggle. “nestle” means v. settle comfortably, snuggle. Study “nestle” →
Calling the busy world a stage is a famous ______.
C — metaphor. “metaphor” means n. comparison, figure of speech. Study “metaphor” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “colonial.”
B — imperial. “colonial” means adj. relating to colonies. Study “colonial” →
The strong wind managed to ______ all the papers on her desk.
D — jumble. “jumble” means v./n. mix up in confusion. Study “jumble” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “beneficial”?
B — Useful. “beneficial” means adj. helpful, good. Study “beneficial” →
Scientists gathered on the hill to ______ the rare comet through telescopes.
D — observe. “observe” means v. watch carefully. Study “observe” →
Choose the synonym for the word “innocent” as used in this context: Although once accused, she was found to be completely innocent of the crime.
B — harmless. “innocent” means adj. not guilty, pure. Study “innocent” →
His rude comment was no accident; it was completely ______.
D — deliberate. “deliberate” means adj. intentional; v. discuss carefully. Study “deliberate” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “climax”:
D — peak. “climax” means n. the most exciting point. Study “climax” →
It is quite rude to ______ someone while they are speaking.
B — interrupt. “interrupt” means v. stop temporarily. Study “interrupt” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “device”?
A — Instrument. “device” means n. tool or gadget. Study “device” →
The new student remained ______, sitting alone and speaking to no one.
C — aloof. “aloof” means adj. not friendly, distant. Study “aloof” →
Select the best synonym for the word “legend”:
C — myth. “legend” means n. traditional story; famous person. Study “legend” →
The ______ family waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.
C — royal. “royal” means adj. relating to king/queen. Study “royal” →
Choose the synonym for the word “Defeat”: Despite their best efforts, the team could not _____ their well-prepared opponents.
B — overcome. “defeat” means v./n. win against. Study “defeat” →
The thick wallet made his back pocket ______ noticeably.
D — bulge. “bulge” means v./n. swell, stick out. Study “bulge” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “retrieve”:
B — Recover. “retrieve” means v. get back, recover. Study “retrieve” →
The lazy river seemed to ______ slowly through the green fields.
A — meander. “meander” means v. wander, wind about. Study “meander” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “civic”?
A — urban. “civic” means adj. relating to city/community. Study “civic” →
In the context of the school’s rewards system, an unexpected ______ was given to students who achieved perfect attendance.
B — bonus. “bonus” means n. extra gift, reward. Study “bonus” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “inevitable”: The sunrise is __________; it happens every day without fail.
A — unavoidable. “inevitable” means adj. certain to happen. Study “inevitable” →
She ordered a ______ drink, not too big and not too small.
B — medium. “medium” means n./adj. middle size or method. Study “medium” →
Which of the following is the best synonym for the word “survive”?
A — Endure. “survive” means v. to remain alive. Study “survive” →
The decision to give her the prize was ______; every judge agreed.
C — unanimous. “unanimous” means adj. fully in agreement. Study “unanimous” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to the word “outlook”.
A — Perspective. “outlook” means n. view; expectancy, perspective. Study “outlook” →
Voting is an important ______ duty for every member of society.
B — civic. “civic” means adj. relating to city/community. Study “civic” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “chronological”?
B — Sequential. “chronological” means adj. by time order. Study “chronological” →
The weather ______ predicted heavy rain for the entire weekend.
D — forecast. “forecast” means n./v. predict future. Study “forecast” →
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.