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.
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “convert”?
A — Transform. “convert” means v. change into another form. Study “convert” →
Which of the following is most similar in meaning to “accessible”?
B — approachable. “accessible” means adj. easy to approach or reach. Study “accessible” →
Select the word that is closest in meaning to “sparse”: The vegetation in the region was quite sparse, with trees dotting the landscape only occasionally.
C — scant. “sparse” means adj. thinly scattered, few. Study “sparse” →
Select the best synonym for the word “course”:
A — route. “course” means n. path, direction; school subject. Study “course” →
In the sentence “Despite pushing with all his might, the boulder would not budge,” what is the best synonym for “budge”?
A — shift. “budge” means v. move slightly or change mind. Study “budge” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “resolve”?
A — Decide. “resolve” means v./n. solve, determination. Study “resolve” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “characterize” as used in the following sentence: “In the novel, the author seeks to characterize the main protagonist as a dynamic and evolving individual.”
A — define. “characterize” means v. describe qualities. Study “characterize” →
What is the best synonym for the word “copious” as used in the sentence: “The historian provided copious notes on the subject, ensuring that every detail was thoroughly covered”?
B — Abundant. “copious” means adj. plentiful, abundant. Study “copious” →
Select the synonym for the word “realistic” as it is used in the sentence: “The proposal is quite realistic and could be implemented with the resources we have.”
A — practical. “realistic” means adj. practical, lifelike. Study “realistic” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “homonym”?
A — Homograph. “homonym” means n. word spelled same but different meaning. Study “homonym” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “lure.”
A — entice. “lure” means v./n. attract, entice. Study “lure” →
Which word is closest in meaning to “exception”?
A — exclusion. “exception” means n. something that is not included in the general rule or does not follow a rule or pattern. Study “exception” →
Choose the synonym for the word “teem” as used in the sentence: “The garden seemed to teem with colorful butterflies.”
A — swarm. “teem” means v. be full, swarm. Study “teem” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “illiterate”: Due to lack of education in her youth, Maria grew up to be _____.
B — illiterate. “illiterate” means adj. unable to read or write. Study “illiterate” →
Choose the synonym for the word “construct”: The engineer took several months to construct the new bridge.
C — build. “construct” means v. build, make. Study “construct” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “noteworthy” as it is used in the sentence below: The scientist''s latest research, which provided groundbreaking insights into climate change, was considered quite noteworthy.
C — Remarkable. “noteworthy” means adj. important or remarkable. Study “noteworthy” →
In the absence of concrete evidence, the detective could only surmise the suspect“s whereabouts. Which word is a synonym for ”surmise''?
A — imagine. “surmise” means v./n. guess, suppose. Study “surmise” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “deceitful”?
B — Manipulative. “deceitful” means adj. dishonest, misleading. Study “deceitful” →
Choose the synonym for the word “effortless”.
D — Simple. “effortless” means adj. easy, requiring little effort. Study “effortless” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “negligent” in the following sentence: The doctor was found to be negligent in his duties, leading to a malpractice suit.
C — inattentive. “negligent” means adj. neglectful, careless. Study “negligent” →
A good leader should guide the team, not simply ______ every single move.
A — dictate. “dictate” means v. give orders, command; say aloud. Study “dictate” →
A good judge must always rule fairly, without any ______.
B — bias. “bias” means n. prejudice, preference. Study “bias” →
Adding more dry wood will only ______ the already roaring fire.
A — intensify. “intensify” means v. make stronger. Study “intensify” →
The champion skater made every difficult jump look completely ______.
C — effortless. “effortless” means adj. easy, requiring little effort. Study “effortless” →
Drivers who ______ the speed limit may have to pay a heavy fine.
C — violate. “violate” means v. break (law), disturb. Study “violate” →
The ______ puppy waited by the door, hoping for a long afternoon walk.
D — eager. “eager” means adj. having a keen interest or intense desire. Study “eager” →
Many young dancers ______ to perform someday on a grand stage.
C — aspire. “aspire” means v. have goal, aim for. Study “aspire” →
In the model village, everything is built to scale, with ______ houses and tiny cars.
B — miniature. “miniature” means n./adj. very small version. Study “miniature” →
In the oppressive heat of the desert, without any water, the lost traveler began to ______.
B — languish. “languish” means v. become weak. Study “languish” →
Running a full marathon requires enormous strength and ______.
B — stamina. “stamina” means n. endurance, staying power. Study “stamina” →
The final chapter was full of ______, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
A — suspense. “suspense” means n. feeling of uncertainty or excitement. Study “suspense” →
From the high peak, they gazed at a ______ view that took their breath away.
C — sublime. “sublime” means adj. excellent, grand, inspiring. Study “sublime” →
The city council voted to ______ smoking in all public parks.
C — ban. “ban” means v./n. officially forbid. Study “ban” →
The ______ roses filled the entire garden with a sweet, gentle scent.
D — fragrant. “fragrant” means adj. having a pleasant or sweet smell. Study “fragrant” →
After a long, brave fight, the weakened patient finally began to ______ to the illness.
D — succumb. “succumb” means v. give in, yield. Study “succumb” →
Staring up at the ______ number of stars, she suddenly felt very small.
B — infinite. “infinite” means adj. without limit, endless. Study “infinite” →
The sudden discovery of gold turned the tiny town into a booming ______.
A — bonanza. “bonanza” means n. rich mine, sudden profit. Study “bonanza” →
The ______ music and soft candlelight made the whole room feel peaceful.
B — mellow. “mellow” means adj. smooth, gentle. Study “mellow” →
Despite the danger, he stayed ______, as if nothing at all were wrong.
D — nonchalant. “nonchalant” means adj. relaxed and calm. Study “nonchalant” →
He did not accuse her directly, but he tried to ______ that she had lied.
C — insinuate. “insinuate” means v. suggest without stating directly. Study “insinuate” →
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.