40 Verbal Reasoning questions — Part 1: 20 synonym, Part 2: 20 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.
Select the best synonym for the word “accomplish”:
C — attain. “accomplish” means v. achieve, finish successfully. Study “accomplish” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “response”.
A — Reply. “response” means n. answer, reply. Study “response” →
What is the best synonym for the word “annihilate” in the context of: “The meteor was predicted to annihilate the small town upon impact”?
B — destroy. “annihilate” means v. destroy completely. Study “annihilate” →
Choose the best synonym for the following word: depict.
A — illustrate. “depict” means v. describe, show in picture. Study “depict” →
Select the best synonym for the word “bleak” as used in the sentence: “The landscape looked bleak after the harsh winter.”
B — Desolate. “bleak” means adj. cold, depressing. Study “bleak” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “mandatory”:
B — Required. “mandatory” means adj. required by rule or law. Study “mandatory” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “conjure”?
A — imagine. “conjure” means v. bring to mind, call forth. Study “conjure” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “commodity”?
C — product. “commodity” means n. a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold.. Study “commodity” →
Choose the best synonym for the word muse in the following sentence: “She often likes to sit by the river and muse on her future.”
A — ponder. “muse” means v. think, meditate; n. inspiration. Study “muse” →
What is the synonym for the word “compassion”?
A — Sympathy. “compassion” means n. sympathy, caring. Study “compassion” →
What is a synonym for the word “devious” as used in the sentence: “The path through the forest was long and devious, making navigation quite challenging”?
C — winding. “devious” means adj. dishonest, not straightforward. Study “devious” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “reverberate” as used in the sentence: “The sound of the gong began to reverberate through the hall”?
C — echo. “reverberate” means v. echo, resound. Study “reverberate” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “farce”?
C — comedy. “farce” means n. ridiculous comedy or event. Study “farce” →
Which word is the best synonym for “bisect”?
A — Divide. “bisect” means v. divide in two. Study “bisect” →
In the article, the scientist aimed to debunk the common myth about vaccinations.
B — expose. “debunk” means v. expose false claims. Study “debunk” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “institute”:
A — begin. “institute” means n. organization; v. start. Study “institute” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “audacious”: The entrepreneur''s audacious plan surprised everyone at the meeting.
B — bold. “audacious” means adj. bold, daring. Study “audacious” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym to candid: Despite the sensitive nature of the topic, the discussion was very candid.
B — forthright. “candid” means adj. frank, honest. Study “candid” →
Choose the synonym for the word “commemorate” in the following sentence: Every year, people from around the world gather to commemorate the historical event of the city''s founding.
B — celebrate. “commemorate” means v. honor the memory of. Study “commemorate” →
Select the best synonym for the word “occasion” in the following sentence: The wedding was a joyous occasion for all attendees.
A — event. “occasion” means n. special event; time. Study “occasion” →
In order to progress, sometimes it is necessary to remove any ______ that may be holding us back.
A — shackles. “shackle” means n./v. chain, restrict freedom. Study “shackle” →
She gave very ______ directions so that no one in the group would get lost.
B — specific. “specific” means adj. particular, precise. Study “specific” →
He was honest enough to ______ his own careless mistake.
C — acknowledge. “acknowledge” means v. admit, recognize. Study “acknowledge” →
The desert was so hot that the explorers quickly became ______.
B — parched. “parched” means adj. extremely dry or thirsty. Study “parched” →
In the grand finale of the symphony, the composer claims to ______ the themes explored in the earlier movements.
D — culminate. “culminate” means v. reach highest point, end. Study “culminate” →
The frightened villagers began to ______ the king to send help at once.
D — implore. “implore” means v. beg intensely. Study “implore” →
The ______ gymnast flipped gracefully across the padded mat.
B — agile. “agile” means adj. able to move quickly. Study “agile” →
The cruel ruler used his army to ______ anyone who dared to disagree.
B — oppress. “oppress” means v. keep down by force. Study “oppress” →
The ______ assistant agreed with every single word his boss said.
B — servile. “servile” means adj. overly obedient, submissive. Study “servile” →
In order to avoid accidents, drivers need to be __________ when driving in bad weather.
B — cautious. “cautious” means adj. careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.. Study “cautious” →
The ______ student always arrived a few minutes before class began.
A — punctual. “punctual” means adj. on time, not late. Study “punctual” →
The officer received a stern ______ for ignoring the safety rules.
B — reprimand. “reprimand” means v./n. strong official criticism. Study “reprimand” →
It is very wrong to ______ your power over those weaker than you.
C — abuse. “abuse” means n./v. misuse, treat badly. Study “abuse” →
Airport officers may ______ any sharp objects found in your carry-on bag.
B — confiscate. “confiscate” means v. take away (by authority). Study “confiscate” →
The factory workers demanded a fair ______ for their long, hard hours.
D — wage. “wage” means n. payment for work; v. carry out. Study “wage” →
Despite her great fame, the singer remained kind and ______.
B — humble. “humble” means adj. having or showing a modest or low estimate of one''s own importance. Study “humble” →
His ______ driving nearly caused a terrible accident on the highway.
D — reckless. “reckless” means adj. marked by lack of thought about danger or consequences. Study “reckless” →
A second witness came forward to ______ the first one's story.
B — corroborate. “corroborate” means v. confirm, support. Study “corroborate” →
The eagle spread its wings and began to ______ high above the cliffs.
D — soar. “soar” means v. fly high, rise quickly. Study “soar” →
The doctor said the painful swelling should ______ within a few days.
D — subside. “subside” means v. become less intense; sink. Study “subside” →
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.
40 — Part 1 is 20 synonym questions, Part 2 is 20 sentence-completion questions, the same roughly-even split the real ISEE Verbal Reasoning section uses.
No. Every Middle 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.