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.
In the context of the following sentence, what is the best synonym for “somnolence”? After the long lecture and a hearty lunch, he was overcome with somnolence.
C — Drowsiness. “somnolence” means n. sleepiness; drowsiness; lethargy. Study “somnolence” →
In the meeting, Jeremy was so taciturn that it was almost as if he wasn“t there at all. Choose the word that is closest in meaning to ”taciturn''.
B — Reserved. “taciturn” means adj. silent reserved quiet. Study “taciturn” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “repulsive”.
C — Disgusting. “repulsive” means adj. disgusting; revolting; offensive. Study “repulsive” →
Which word is a synonym for “illustrious”?
B — distinguished. “illustrious” means adj. well known, respected, and admired for past achievements. Study “illustrious” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “mollify”?
A — Calm. “mollify” means v. soothe calm appease. Study “mollify” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: Crestfallen.
C — Dejected. “crestfallen” means adj. dejected disappointed downcast. Study “crestfallen” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “gratuitous”:
A — Unnecessary. “gratuitous” means adj. unnecessary; unwarranted; free. Study “gratuitous” →
Which word is closest in meaning to “rectify”?
B — correct. “rectify” means v. to set right; correct. Study “rectify” →
Choose the synonym for “founder” as it is used in this sentence: “The company began to founder after losing its biggest client.”
B — struggle. “founder” means v. To fail; sink; establish. Study “founder” →
Select the word that is closest in meaning to “fortitude”:
B — strength. “fortitude” means n. courage strength endurance. Study “fortitude” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “demoralize”?
B — Weaken. “demoralize” means v. to discourage; dishearten; undermine. Study “demoralize” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “vigilant”?
B — watchful. “vigilant” means adj. watchful; alert; cautious. Study “vigilant” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “famine”:
B — starvation. “famine” means n. a severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger. Study “famine” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “hamper”:
B — Hinder. “hamper” means v. hinder obstruct impede. Study “hamper” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “brash”: The brash young man rushed into the meeting without considering the consequences.
B — Bold. “brash” means adj. rash; impudent; hasty. Study “brash” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “contend”?
C — compete. “contend” means v. to struggle or strive against difficulties or opposition. Study “contend” →
Select the best synonym for the word “aggregate”:
B — Collect. “aggregate” means n. total sum collection. Study “aggregate” →
Which word is closest in meaning to “utilitarian”?
B — functional. “utilitarian” means adj. designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive.. Study “utilitarian” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “rescind”:
C — nullify. “rescind” means v. cancel revoke withdraw. Study “rescind” →
What is the best synonym for “conniving” in the following context? Despite his friendly demeanor, Jake was often seen as a conniving coworker, always looking for ways to undermine his colleagues.
A — scheming. “conniving” means adj. scheming; plotting; conspiring. Study “conniving” →
In order to thrive in any new environment, one must often __________.
A — acclimate. “acclimate” means v. to adjust or become accustomed to a new environment or situation. Study “acclimate” →
The ______ millionaire filled his days with fine food and rare wine.
D — epicurean. “epicurean” means adj. pleasure-seeking; devoted to luxury. Study “epicurean” →
With only ______ evidence and no real witness, the case was hard to prove.
B — circumstantial. “circumstantial” means Adj. based on circumstances; indirect. Study “circumstantial” →
The sharp editor removed all the ______ details that slowed the story down.
A — extraneous. “extraneous” means adj. irrelevant or unnecessary. Study “extraneous” →
She bit into the ______ ripe peach, and sweet juice ran down her chin.
A — succulent. “succulent” means adj. juicy; fleshy; tender. Study “succulent” →
His ______ knowledge of the topic quickly failed under close questioning.
C — superficial. “superficial” means adj. shallow; surface-level; cursory. Study “superficial” →
The kind teacher left a deep, ______ mark on every student she ever taught.
A — indelible. “indelible” means adj. Permanent and lasting; unforgettable. Study “indelible” →
Anyone who dares to ______ the sacred laws will be severely punished.
A — transgress. “transgress” means v. to violate a law, command, or moral code. Study “transgress” →
The word happiness is a ______ of the older word happy.
D — derivative. “derivative” means n. a word derived from another or from a root in the same or another language.. Study “derivative” →
Eating far too much rich food can make the stomach ______ uncomfortably.
D — distend. “distend” means v. to swell or expand as from internal pressure. Study “distend” →
The ______ musician drifted from town to town, playing music for coins.
A — itinerant. “itinerant” means Adj. traveling; nomadic; wandering. Study “itinerant” →
The narrow, ice-covered mountain path was steep and ______.
A — perilous. “perilous” means adj. full of danger or risk. Study “perilous” →
The thick rolling fog began to ______ the rescue team's desperate search.
D — hamper. “hamper” means v. hinder obstruct impede. Study “hamper” →
The wise leader worked hard to ______ the two furious rival groups.
D — conciliate. “conciliate” means v. To appease; reconcile. Study “conciliate” →
The government announced its new ______ plan for taxes and spending.
D — fiscal. “fiscal” means adj. Financial and monetary; budgetary. Study “fiscal” →
At this very early stage, her business is still only a vague, ______ idea.
D — inchoate. “inchoate” means adj. not fully formed or developed. Study “inchoate” →
The dusty old office still used ______ typewriters instead of computers.
D — antiquated. “antiquated” means adj. old-fashioned or outdated. Study “antiquated” →
A serious lack of sleep can badly ______ your ability to concentrate.
D — affect. “affect” means v. to influence; impact; pretend. Study “affect” →
In order to master the art of painting, one must practice diligently, but even the most talented ______ must start with the basics.
C — tyro. “tyro” means n. beginner novice amateur. Study “tyro” →
The sculptor used a sharp tool to ______ delicate patterns into the smooth stone.
A — incise. “incise” means v. to cut; carve; engrave. Study “incise” →
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 Upper 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.