40 Verbal Reasoning questions — 20 synonym, 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 best synonym for the word “source” as it is used in the sentence: “The library was a valuable source of information for the students.”
C — resource. “source” means n. origin, provider. Study “source” →
The doctor sent a highly ______ message asking for more blood donors.
B — urgent. “urgent” means adj. needing immediate action. Study “urgent” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “elicit”: The teacher tried to elicit a response from the quiet student.
B — evoke. “elicit” means v. draw out, bring forth. Study “elicit” →
A single healthy apple tree can ______ hundreds of apples every year.
A — yield. “yield” means v. to produce or provide something, such as a profit, result, or crop. Study “yield” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to absurd:
B — ridiculous. “absurd” means adj. ridiculous, unreasonable. Study “absurd” →
The ______ stubbornly refused to listen to anyone whose views differed from his own.
C — bigot. “bigot” means n. person intolerant of different opinions. Study “bigot” →
In the following sentence, choose the word that is closest in meaning to “peculiar”: “The cat had a peculiar habit of sitting by the door precisely at midnight every night.”
B — unusual. “peculiar” means adj. strange, unusual. Study “peculiar” →
By the age of six, the young piano ______ was already performing in concerts.
D — prodigy. “prodigy” means n. young genius. Study “prodigy” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “impel” as used in the sentence: “His strong sense of duty impelled him to help his neighbor”?
A — force. “impel” means v. drive, force. Study “impel” →
The starving travelers began to ______ the warm meal within seconds.
C — devour. “devour” means v. eat hungrily. Study “devour” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “embark” as used in the following sentence: After months of preparation, the crew was ready to embark on their journey across the Atlantic.
A — depart. “embark” means v. go onto (a ship/plane); start. Study “embark” →
The starving peasants began to ______ against the greedy landlords.
A — revolt. “revolt” means v./n. rebel, rise against authority. Study “revolt” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “nonchalant”: Despite the loud noises outside, Angela remained ___, unfazed by the commotion.
B — indifferent. “nonchalant” means adj. relaxed and calm. Study “nonchalant” →
The ______ knight rode fearlessly into battle to protect the village.
D — gallant. “gallant” means adj. brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous. Study “gallant” →
Choose the synonym for the word “rationale”:
A — reason. “rationale” means n. reason or explanation. Study “rationale” →
After the long, exhausting hike, they began to ______ a hot, hearty meal.
D — crave. “crave” means v. to long for, desire. Study “crave” →
In the context of hard work and dedication, someone who is industrious is best described as:
B — diligent. “industrious” means adj. hardworking, diligent. Study “industrious” →
The bad accident left a ______ scar that never fully faded.
C — permanent. “permanent” means adj. lasting, never ending. Study “permanent” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “sleek”?
B — smooth. “sleek” means adj. smooth, shiny, elegant. Study “sleek” →
The ______ new sports car gleamed brightly under the showroom lights.
D — sleek. “sleek” means adj. smooth, shiny, elegant. Study “sleek” →
Which word is the best synonym for “void”?
B — empty. “void” means n./adj. empty, emptiness. Study “void” →
Most kind people ______ any cruelty toward helpless animals.
A — abhor. “abhor” means v. dislike deeply. Study “abhor” →
Which word is closest in meaning to “daunt”?
B — intimidate. “daunt” means v. to make someone feel intimidated or apprehensive. Study “daunt” →
The ______ new employee never dared to disagree with the boss.
A — meek. “meek” means adj. quiet, gentle, and not willing to argue or express your opinions in a forceful way. Study “meek” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for discern?
B — Detect. “discern” means v. see, recognize, distinguish. Study “discern” →
The coach likes to ______ the value of teamwork above all else.
B — emphasize. “emphasize” means v. give importance to. Study “emphasize” →
Choose the synonym for the word “chorus”:
B — ensemble. “chorus” means n. group of singers. Study “chorus” →
She received a ______ reward for returning the lost diamond necklace.
A — substantial. “substantial” means adj. large, important; real. Study “substantial” →
Which word is a synonym for “ensue”?
C — follow. “ensue” means v. happen as a result. Study “ensue” →
The child's endless stream of questions began to ______ his tired father.
B — exasperate. “exasperate” means v. annoy extremely. Study “exasperate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “exhaust”:
A — deplete. “exhaust” means v. use up, tire out / n. waste gases. Study “exhaust” →
Patience is an important ______ for any truly good teacher.
B — attribute. “attribute” means n. quality, characteristic; v. to credit. Study “attribute” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “impartial”?
A — Unbiased. “impartial” means adj. neutral, fair. Study “impartial” →
Having grown up in the north, she was ______ to bitterly cold winters.
A — accustomed. “accustomed” means adj. familiar with; used to. Study “accustomed” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “irrigate”:
A — water. “irrigate” means v. water crops, supply water. Study “irrigate” →
The station will ______ an ambulance the moment the call comes in.
C — dispatch. “dispatch” means v./n. send, quick action. Study “dispatch” →
Select the best synonym for the word “suffocate”:
A — smother. “suffocate” means v. make unable to breathe. Study “suffocate” →
Even after many painful failures, she chose to ______ until she succeeded.
D — persist. “persist” means v. continue, last. Study “persist” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “sublime”:
C — magnificent. “sublime” means adj. excellent, grand, inspiring. Study “sublime” →
After days of hard climbing, the exhausted team reached the snowy ______.
C — summit. “summit” means n. highest point, meeting. Study “summit” →
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 — 20 synonym questions and 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.