40 Verbal Reasoning questions — 20 synonym, 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.
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “astute”:
A — Clever. “astute” means adj. clever, sharp. Study “astute” →
She waited eagerly for a ______ to her important handwritten letter.
C — response. “response” means n. answer, reply. Study “response” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “horizontal”?
C — Level. “horizontal” means adj. flat, level; parallel to ground. Study “horizontal” →
Critics were quick to ______ the young pianist's brilliant debut.
B — acclaim. “acclaim” means v./n. praise publicly. Study “acclaim” →
Which of the following words is the best synonym for “cite”?
A — quote. “cite” means v. quote, mention. Study “cite” →
The aging king chose to ______ and let his capable daughter rule.
C — abdicate. “abdicate” means v. give up (throne). Study “abdicate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “anonymous”.
B — Nameless. “anonymous” means adj. unknown name, identity. Study “anonymous” →
The pilots use a special machine to ______ flying through a fierce storm.
A — simulate. “simulate” means v. imitate, fake. Study “simulate” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “negative”?
C — Gloomy. “negative” means adj. bad, not positive. Study “negative” →
The two nurses ______ shifts so that someone is always on duty.
D — alternate. “alternate” means v./adj. take turns, every other. Study “alternate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “consistent”:
B — Steady. “consistent” means adj. always behaving the same way. Study “consistent” →
The rare glowing lights in the night sky were a ______ scientists still study.
B — phenomenon. “phenomenon” means n. unusual occurrence. Study “phenomenon” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “traumatic”: The event was so traumatic that it left everyone feeling anxious and distressed.
C — disturbing. “traumatic” means adj. emotionally shocking. Study “traumatic” →
A truly ______ friend will always keep the promises that she makes.
C — reliable. “reliable” means adj. trustworthy. Study “reliable” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “authentic”.
A — genuine. “authentic” means adj. real, genuine. Study “authentic” →
When he accidentally cut the hose, water began to ______ high into the air.
D — spurt. “spurt” means v./n. gush out, burst. Study “spurt” →
In the context of the following sentence, which word is a synonym for “assumption”? “The scientist”s assumption that the experiment would yield positive results was based on preliminary data.''
A — presumption. “assumption” means n. belief, something taken for granted. Study “assumption” →
The ancient Egyptian ______ built the great pyramids along the Nile.
B — civilization. “civilization” means n. advanced society. Study “civilization” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “robust”: The athlete was particularly robust after months of intensive training.
C — strong. “robust” means adj. strong, healthy. Study “robust” →
Her selfless actions perfectly ______ true kindness and generosity.
C — exemplify. “exemplify” means v. be a typical example. Study “exemplify” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “serene”?
B — Calm. “serene” means adj. calm, peaceful. Study “serene” →
The excited children ran ______ down the hill toward the sandy beach.
C — headlong. “headlong” means adv./adj. with great speed, reckless. Study “headlong” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “staple” as used in the sentence. Rice is a staple in many Asian countries, serving as a fundamental part of meals consumed daily.
B — Common. “staple” means n. main product, basic food; adj. basic. Study “staple” →
The huge crowd fell silent to pay ______ to the fallen heroes.
D — homage. “homage” means n. show of great respect. Study “homage” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “necessity”:
B — requirement. “necessity” means n. something essential. Study “necessity” →
The royal wedding ended with a magnificent ______ for hundreds of guests.
A — banquet. “banquet” means n. large meal for many people. Study “banquet” →
Select the best synonym for the word “languish”:
C — wither. “languish” means v. become weak. Study “languish” →
The ______ weather changed from bright sunshine to storms within minutes.
B — capricious. “capricious” means adj. unpredictable, impulsive. Study “capricious” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “vacate” in the following sentence: “Due to the renovation, all residents were asked to vacate their apartments temporarily.”
B — leave. “vacate” means v. leave, give up. Study “vacate” →
The faded old photograph was taken more than a ______ ago.
C — decade. “decade” means n. ten years. Study “decade” →
What is the synonym of “exert” in the following sentence? In order to complete the project on time, the team had to exert a lot of effort. A) Withdraw B) Apply C) Remove D) Ignore
B — Apply. “exert” means v. use (effort, power). Study “exert” →
A cheap camera lens can ______ the shape of everything in the photo.
A — distort. “distort” means v. twist out of shape or meaning. Study “distort” →
Choose the word that is the best synonym for “obnoxious”:
A — irritating. “obnoxious” means adj. very unpleasant, offensive. Study “obnoxious” →
After the huge holiday meal, everyone felt heavy and ______.
B — sluggish. “sluggish” means adj. slow, lacking energy. Study “sluggish” →
Which of the following is the best synonym for the word “waver”?
B — hesitate. “waver” means v. to move back and forth, become unsteady or uncertain. Study “waver” →
No matter how hard we pushed, the enormous rock would not ______.
B — budge. “budge” means v. move slightly or change mind. Study “budge” →
In order to prepare for the competition, the team decided to intensify their training schedule. Which word is the best synonym for “intensify”?
D — amplify. “intensify” means v. make stronger. Study “intensify” →
Her grades stayed ______ high throughout the entire school year.
D — consistent. “consistent” means adj. always behaving the same way. Study “consistent” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “contrast”?
A — difference. “contrast” means v./n. differ, comparison. Study “contrast” →
The skiers fled as a roaring ______ thundered down the steep slope.
D — avalanche. “avalanche” means n. great mass of falling snow. Study “avalanche” →
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 — 20 synonym questions and 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.