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.
What is a synonym for “initial”?
B — beginning. “initial” means adj. occurring at the beginning. Study “initial” →
Choose the synonym for the word “imminent” in the following sentence: The threat of a hurricane was imminent, and the residents prepared for the worst.
C — impending. “imminent” means adj. about to happen soon. Study “imminent” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “rebuke” in the following sentence: The teacher did not hesitate to rebuke the student for forgetting his homework.
B — scold. “rebuke” means v./n. criticize sharply. Study “rebuke” →
In the following sentence, choose the word that is a synonym for “avid”: Sarah is such an avid reader that she finishes several books a week.
C — eager. “avid” means adj. eager, enthusiastic. Study “avid” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “disposition” as used in the sentence: “Her cheerful disposition always made her a favorite among her colleagues.”
A — mood. “disposition” means n. personality, tendency. Study “disposition” →
Choose the word that is the most similar in meaning to “bonanza”: The discovery of oil in the region led to an economic __________.
C — windfall. “bonanza” means n. rich mine, sudden profit. Study “bonanza” →
Choose the synonym for the word “summit”: After a long and exhausting climb, the hikers finally reached the summit of the mountain.
A — peak. “summit” means n. highest point, meeting. Study “summit” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “fluctuate”?
B — vary. “fluctuate” means v. change up and down. Study “fluctuate” →
Choose the synonym for the word “avalanche” in the following sentence: After the heavy snowfall, the mountain town was buried under an avalanche.
C — landslide. “avalanche” means n. great mass of falling snow. Study “avalanche” →
What is a synonym for the word “assimilate” in the following sentence? “Over time, the immigrants began to assimilate into the local culture, adopting new customs and practices.”
A — adopt. “assimilate” means v. absorb, blend in. Study “assimilate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “incredulous” in the following sentence: Despite the clear evidence presented, she remained incredulous about the claims made.
A — skeptical. “incredulous” means adj. unable to believe. Study “incredulous” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “fertile”?
A — productive. “fertile” means adj. capable of producing abundant vegetation or crops.. Study “fertile” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to resume:
C — continue. “resume” means v. start again after a pause. Study “resume” →
Choose the option that has a similar meaning to the word “minimize”:
A — reduce. “minimize” means v. reduce to least amount. Study “minimize” →
In the following sentence, choose the word that is closest in meaning to “allege”: The lawyer decided to ______ that her client was not present at the scene of the crime.
A — claim. “allege” means v. assert without proof. Study “allege” →
Select the synonym for the word “plausible”.
A — Credible. “plausible” means adj. reasonable, believable. Study “plausible” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “thesis”:
C — Hypothesis. “thesis” means n. long essay, theory. Study “thesis” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “reference”:
A — mention. “reference” means n. source of information. Study “reference” →
Which word is a synonym for “credible” as used in the sentence: “The research study was published in a well-known journal, making it a credible source of information”?
C — trustworthy. “credible” means adj. believable. Study “credible” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “hypothetical”.
A — Theoretical. “hypothetical” means adj. supposed, not real. Study “hypothetical” →
The teacher used colorful charts as a helpful ______ aid.
A — visual. “visual” means adj. relating to seeing. Study “visual” →
A truly great coach can ______ players to push far beyond their limits.
D — inspire. “inspire” means v. encourage, motivate. Study “inspire” →
Despite many painful setbacks, she continued to ______ to finish the race.
B — endeavor. “endeavor” means v./n. try hard, effort. Study “endeavor” →
She picked a ______ card from the shuffled deck without even looking.
B — random. “random” means adj. without pattern, by chance. Study “random” →
In a dense forest, the ___ wolf preferred to keep away from its pack and roam the wilderness alone.
A — solitary. “solitary” means adj. alone, single. Study “solitary” →
The emperor issued a ______ ordering everyone to pay the heavy new tax.
C — decree. “decree” means n./v. order, official command. Study “decree” →
After years of bitter anger, the two brothers finally chose to ______.
A — reconcile. “reconcile” means v. restore friendly relations; settle. Study “reconcile” →
The gardener chose many colors to ______ the once-plain flower bed.
D — variegate. “variegate” means v. diversify, add variety. Study “variegate” →
The teacher gave a ______ review covering every topic on the exam.
C — comprehensive. “comprehensive” means adj. all-inclusive, complete. Study “comprehensive” →
One serious ______ of the new law is that everyone's taxes will rise.
C — implication. “implication” means n. suggestion, possible effect. Study “implication” →
The film received mostly ______ reviews, and few people went to see it.
A — negative. “negative” means adj. bad, not positive. Study “negative” →
The ______ tourist believed every word the dishonest guide told him.
B — naive. “naive” means adj. innocent, simple. Study “naive” →
The shelter is well known for its ______ treatment of stray animals.
A — humane. “humane” means adj. showing kindness to people/animals. Study “humane” →
When she teased him, he was quick to ______ with a clever remark.
D — retort. “retort” means v./n. reply sharply, witty reply. Study “retort” →
Guests must ______ their hotel rooms by eleven o'clock in the morning.
D — vacate. “vacate” means v. leave, give up. Study “vacate” →
The salty smell of the sea can ______ vivid memories of childhood summers.
B — conjure. “conjure” means v. bring to mind, call forth. Study “conjure” →
It is a serious crime to ______ with the evidence at a crime scene.
D — tamper. “tamper” means v. interfere with something secretly. Study “tamper” →
Many English words ______ from ancient Latin roots.
A — derive. “derive” means v. get from, originate. Study “derive” →
The ______ heat of the desert forced the travelers to rest at noon.
D — intense. “intense” means adj. very strong, extreme. Study “intense” →
She drew a straight ______ line across the middle of the page.
B — horizontal. “horizontal” means adj. flat, level; parallel to ground. Study “horizontal” →
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.