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 “mediate”.
A — intervene. “mediate” means v. settle differences by working with both sides. Study “mediate” →
What is the best synonym for the word “route” as used in the following sentence? The delivery driver took his usual route to avoid traffic congestion.
A — road. “route” means n. way, path. Study “route” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “universal”: The principle of equality is considered __________ among different cultures, despite their diverse traditions.
B — global. “universal” means adj. worldwide, common to all. Study “universal” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “bountiful”?
B — Abundant. “bountiful” means adj. plentiful, abundant. Study “bountiful” →
Choose the synonym for the word “review” as used in the sentence: Before the final exam, it is important to review all of your notes.
B — examine. “review” means v./n. look over; feedback. Study “review” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “predatory”:
B — preying. “predatory” means adj. hunting other animals; exploiting. Study “predatory” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “surpass” as used in the sentence: “She worked hard to surpass her own expectations in the final exam”?
B — Excel. “surpass” means v. exceed, go beyond. Study “surpass” →
Find the synonym for the following word: decade.
C — Decennium. “decade” means n. ten years. Study “decade” →
Select the synonym for the word “tragedy” as used in the following sentence: The play was a profound tragedy that left the audience in tears.
B — disaster. “tragedy” means n. terrible event. Study “tragedy” →
Choose the synonym for the word “illuminate” as it is used in the sentence: The teacher tried to illuminate the complex topic for the students with a simple explanation.
B — clarify. “illuminate” means v. light up, clarify. Study “illuminate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “vibrant” as used in the sentence: The artist''s use of vibrant colors made the painting come alive.
B — Lively. “vibrant” means adj. lively, bright. Study “vibrant” →
Which word is a synonym for “haggle”?
A — argue. “haggle” means v. argue about a price. Study “haggle” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “deplore”?
B — regret. “deplore” means v. strongly disapprove of. Study “deplore” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “legendary”: The author''s accomplishments in the literary world were so ________ that they inspired generations of writers.
B — legendary. “legendary” means adj. very famous, like a legend. Study “legendary” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “interpret”:
B — translate. “interpret” means v. explain meaning. Study “interpret” →
Which word is the best synonym for “infinite” as used in the following sentence? The universe is considered to be infinite and ever-expanding, without any boundaries.
A — boundless. “infinite” means adj. without limit, endless. Study “infinite” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “agitate”.
C — Stir. “agitate” means v. stir up, disturb. Study “agitate” →
Select the synonym for the word “headlong” used in the sentence: “The hikers moved headlong down the mountain, eager to reach the base before nightfall.”
C — recklessly. “headlong” means adv./adj. with great speed, reckless. Study “headlong” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “meek”:
B — humble. “meek” means adj. quiet, gentle, and not willing to argue or express your opinions in a forceful way. Study “meek” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “similar”:
B — Alike. “similar” means adj. alike, nearly the same. Study “similar” →
In the coming years, the company is planning to expand its operations to cater to a __________ audience in the international market.
C — prospective. “prospective” means adj. expected, likely to happen. Study “prospective” →
At the busy market, shoppers love to ______ over the price of everything.
A — haggle. “haggle” means v. argue about a price. Study “haggle” →
The referee warned the players not to ______ near the crowded goal.
A — collide. “collide” means v. crash together. Study “collide” →
The very thought of speaking to a huge crowd can ______ even brave people.
A — petrify. “petrify” means v. turn to stone; terrify. Study “petrify” →
The car's ______ movements suggested that the driver had fallen asleep.
B — erratic. “erratic” means adj. unpredictable, inconsistent. Study “erratic” →
It would truly ______ her parents to see her finally graduate.
C — gratify. “gratify” means v. please or satisfy. Study “gratify” →
A generous cash bonus is a strong ______ for workers to do their very best.
B — incentive. “incentive” means n. motivating reason, reward. Study “incentive” →
The ______ shopper always managed to find the best bargains in town.
C — canny. “canny” means adj. clever, shrewd. Study “canny” →
As a strong ______ of recycling, she gave speeches about it everywhere.
D — proponent. “proponent” means n. supporter, advocate. Study “proponent” →
She kindly agreed to ______ with the teacher on her nervous friend's behalf.
B — intercede. “intercede” means v. mediate, plead for another. Study “intercede” →
The rival fans began to ______ the losing team with cruel chants.
A — taunt. “taunt” means v./n. mock, tease. Study “taunt” →
The senator continued to ______ for cleaner and safer air.
C — advocate. “advocate” means v. support; n. supporter. Study “advocate” →
There was a ______ difference between the two nearly identical shades of blue.
C — subtle. “subtle” means adj. not obvious, delicate. Study “subtle” →
The manager patiently explained the ______ behind the sudden change of plan.
C — rationale. “rationale” means n. reason or explanation. Study “rationale” →
He liked to sit by the river and quietly ______ about the future.
C — muse. “muse” means v. think, meditate; n. inspiration. Study “muse” →
Her amazing talent was expected to ______ even that of her famous teacher.
B — surpass. “surpass” means v. exceed, go beyond. Study “surpass” →
Her ______ devotion to the sick made her beloved by the whole town.
B — selfless. “selfless” means adj. showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Study “selfless” →
A good sponge can ______ a surprising amount of water for a long time.
B — retain. “retain” means v. keep, remember. Study “retain” →
The scientist had ______ discovered a new kind of glowing deep-sea fish.
B — recently. “recently” means adv. not long ago. Study “recently” →
Selling rare paintings turned out to be a very ______ business.
B — lucrative. “lucrative” means adj. producing much profit. Study “lucrative” →
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.