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.
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “scrutiny”:
A — Investigation. “scrutiny” means n. careful inspection. Study “scrutiny” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: alleviate.
B — Relieve. “alleviate” means v. make better, ease. Study “alleviate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “conservative”:
A — Traditional. “conservative” means adj. traditional, not willing to change. Study “conservative” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “fragrant”.
A — aromatic. “fragrant” means adj. having a pleasant or sweet smell. Study “fragrant” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “avail”: Despite their efforts, the team found that their strategy did not ______ in winning the game.
A — succeed. “avail” means v./n. use, help; advantage. Study “avail” →
Which of the following words is the closest in meaning to “claim”?
A — assert. “claim” means v./n. state as a fact, demand. Study “claim” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “encroach” in the following sentence: As the neighboring buildings continued to be constructed, they began to encroach upon the park, reducing its available green space.
B — intrude. “encroach” means v. invade, intrude. Study “encroach” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “equation” in the following sentence: The mathematician wrote an equation on the board to explain the relationship between the two variables.
A — formula. “equation” means n. mathematical statement. Study “equation” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “recede”:
B — withdraw. “recede” means v. move back, retreat. Study “recede” →
Choose the word that is a synonym of “sever” in the following sentence: To complete the renovation, the workers had to sever the old plumbing from the main line.
C — Separate. “sever” means v. cut off. Study “sever” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “corrupt”.
A — dishonest. “corrupt” means adj./v. dishonest, make bad. Study “corrupt” →
In the following sentence, choose the word that is closest in meaning to “effects”: The new policy had several positive effects on the community.
A — results. “effects” means n. results, belongings. Study “effects” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to rebel.
C — Renegade. “rebel” means n./v. oppose authority, fight back. Study “rebel” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “competent”.
A — Skillful. “competent” means adj. able, skilled. Study “competent” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “stamina”?
A — strength. “stamina” means n. endurance, staying power. Study “stamina” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: overt.
B — obvious. “overt” means adj. open, not secret. Study “overt” →
In the context of starting a new project, the word “rudimentary” most closely means:
B — basic. “rudimentary” means adj. basic, simple. Study “rudimentary” →
Select the word that is the best synonym for “facilitate” in the context below: The new software aims to facilitate communication between team members. A) Hinder B) Foster C) Neglect D) Obstruct
B — Foster. “facilitate” means v. make easier; help. Study “facilitate” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “foreboding”?
A — Ominous. “foreboding” means n./adj. sense that something bad will happen. Study “foreboding” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “bellow”?
B — roar. “bellow” means v./n. shout in a deep voice. Study “bellow” →
A skilled guide can ______ the strange local customs for confused tourists.
D — interpret. “interpret” means v. explain meaning. Study “interpret” →
The scratch on the car was only a ______ problem, easily fixed.
C — minor. “minor” means adj. less important. Study “minor” →
A good lifeguard stays ______ and watches every swimmer closely.
B — alert. “alert” means adj. quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances; vigilant.. Study “alert” →
The ______ waiter greeted every guest with a warm, welcoming smile.
B — courteous. “courteous” means adj. polite, respectful. Study “courteous” →
She saved for many months to ______ her very first bicycle.
B — purchase. “purchase” means v./n. buy. Study “purchase” →
The rock climbers slowly scaled the steep, nearly ______ cliff.
B — vertical. “vertical” means adj. upright, up and down. Study “vertical” →
From her enormous smile, it was ______ that she had won the prize.
B — obvious. “obvious” means adj. easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident.. Study “obvious” →
The nervous beginner had only a ______ understanding of how to swim.
A — rudimentary. “rudimentary” means adj. basic, simple. Study “rudimentary” →
Over many centuries, the constant waves began to ______ the rocky cliff.
A — erode. “erode” means v. gradually wear away. Study “erode” →
The kind volunteer taught ______ adults how to read and write.
C — illiterate. “illiterate” means adj. unable to read or write. Study “illiterate” →
The ______ marathon left even the fittest runners completely exhausted.
C — grueling. “grueling” means adj. extremely tiring or demanding. Study “grueling” →
The scientist carefully tested her ______ with a well-planned experiment.
A — hypothesis. “hypothesis” means n. idea to be tested, theory. Study “hypothesis” →
The long-abandoned mining town looked gray, empty, and ______.
D — bleak. “bleak” means adj. cold, depressing. Study “bleak” →
The young scientist made a ______ discovery about distant planets.
A — noteworthy. “noteworthy” means adj. important or remarkable. Study “noteworthy” →
A strong stone fence was built to ______ the invading enemy soldiers.
D — repel. “repel” means v. to drive or force back or away. Study “repel” →
The tailor offered to ______ the jacket so that it would fit perfectly.
C — alter. “alter” means v. to change or modify. Study “alter” →
The official firmly stamped the form to ______ her brand-new passport.
B — validate. “validate” means v. confirm, make legal. Study “validate” →
She admired the small island nation''s __________ status, as it allowed them to make their own decisions without outside interference.
B — sovereign. “sovereign” means n./adj. ruler, independent. Study “sovereign” →
She proved herself more than ______ of leading the entire team.
D — capable. “capable” means adj. able, competent. Study “capable” →
The professor tended to ______ into long stories about his travels.
B — digress. “digress” means v. get off topic. Study “digress” →
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.