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 most similar in meaning to “species”:
A — variety. “species” means n. a type of living thing. Study “species” →
In the following sentence, choose the word that is a synonym for “vulnerable”: During the storm, the old bridge was particularly vulnerable to damage from the high winds and rushing water.
C — defenseless. “vulnerable” means adj. easily hurt, exposed to harm. Study “vulnerable” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “isolate”:
B — separate. “isolate” means v. set apart, separate. Study “isolate” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “vicious”:
B — harsh. “vicious” means adj. evil, cruel. Study “vicious” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “quarrel”?
C — dispute. “quarrel” means n. an angry argument or disagreement. Study “quarrel” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “fortify”?
B — Strengthen. “fortify” means v. strengthen, reinforce. Study “fortify” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “conclusion”:
A — End. “conclusion” means n. end, result, decision. Study “conclusion” →
Which of the following words is the closest in meaning to “libel”?
C — Slander. “libel” means n./v. written false statement. Study “libel” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “evade” as used in the sentence: Despite the teacher''s questions, the student continued to evade giving a direct answer.
B — avoid. “evade” means v. escape, avoid. Study “evade” →
Which word is the best synonym for reconcile?
A — harmonize. “reconcile” means v. restore friendly relations; settle. Study “reconcile” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “endeavor” in the sentence: “The scientists embarked on a challenging endeavor to discover new treatments for the disease.”
A — attempt. “endeavor” means v./n. try hard, effort. Study “endeavor” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “compose”.
A — create. “compose” means v. create, make up. Study “compose” →
Select the best synonym for the word “fragile”:
C — delicate. “fragile” means adj. easily broken or damaged. Study “fragile” →
Which of the following is the best synonym for the word “intervene”?
A — interrupt. “intervene” means v. come between, get involved. Study “intervene” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “visible”: Despite the fog, the lighthouse was still ____ to the distant ships.
B — conspicuous. “visible” means adj. can be seen. Study “visible” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “retain”.
B — preserve. “retain” means v. keep, remember. Study “retain” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “radiant”: The bride looked ______ in her beautiful gown.
B — gleaming. “radiant” means adj. shining, bright. Study “radiant” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “tycoon”?
B — Magnate. “tycoon” means n. wealthy, powerful business person. Study “tycoon” →
Choose the correct synonym for “reprimand” in the following sentence: The teacher had to reprimand the student for talking during the exam.
B — scold. “reprimand” means v./n. strong official criticism. Study “reprimand” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “anxious”:
C — Nervous. “anxious” means adj. worried, nervous. Study “anxious” →
The thieves came up with a wildly ______ plan to rob the guarded museum.
C — audacious. “audacious” means adj. bold, daring. Study “audacious” →
Through a ______ scheme, the con artist tricked dozens of trusting people.
B — devious. “devious” means adj. dishonest, not straightforward. Study “devious” →
From the thick dark clouds, we could easily ______ that rain was on the way.
A — surmise. “surmise” means v./n. guess, suppose. Study “surmise” →
The scientists boldly ______ that their new theory explains everything.
C — claim. “claim” means v./n. state as a fact, demand. Study “claim” →
The explorers were thrilled to ______ on their long ocean voyage.
D — embark. “embark” means v. go onto (a ship/plane); start. Study “embark” →
In the dense crowd, I found it hard to breathe and feared I might ______.
B — suffocate. “suffocate” means v. make unable to breathe. Study “suffocate” →
The two paintings were so ______ that few people could tell them apart.
D — similar. “similar” means adj. alike, nearly the same. Study “similar” →
On a clear night, thousands of stars are ______ in the dark sky.
D — visible. “visible” means adj. can be seen. Study “visible” →
All the players must ______ strictly to the rules of the game.
A — adhere. “adhere” means v. stick to; follow. Study “adhere” →
She gathered all her courage to ______ the bully directly.
C — confront. “confront” means v. face, oppose. Study “confront” →
A sudden violent storm may ______ the pilots to delay the flight.
A — compel. “compel” means v. force, require. Study “compel” →
As it rolled downhill, the huge boulder gathered more and more ______.
B — momentum. “momentum” means n. motion force, speed. Study “momentum” →
At the ______ of the trial, the jury solemnly announced its decision.
C — conclusion. “conclusion” means n. end, result, decision. Study “conclusion” →
A ______ worker always double-checks her work before turning it in.
D — conscientious. “conscientious” means adj. careful, responsible. Study “conscientious” →
The ______ island was covered in palm trees and warm sandy beaches.
D — tropical. “tropical” means adj. near the equator. Study “tropical” →
After years of study, she became ______ in three different languages.
A — proficient. “proficient” means adj. skilled, good at. Study “proficient” →
The judges will carefully ______ each dish before choosing a winner.
D — evaluate. “evaluate” means v. assess, judge. Study “evaluate” →
It took the experts many weeks to ______ the ancient secret code.
B — decipher. “decipher” means v. decode, figure out. Study “decipher” →
They made only a ______ plan, since the weather might still change.
D — tentative. “tentative” means adj. uncertain, not final. Study “tentative” →
The ______ chef rejected any tomato that was not perfectly ripe.
C — fastidious. “fastidious” means adj. careful, picky. Study “fastidious” →
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.