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 closest in meaning to “ebb”:
B — diminish. “ebb” means v. recede decline fade. Study “ebb” →
Select the word that is closest in meaning to “disoriented”:
B — lost. “disoriented” means adj. confused and unsure of one''s surroundings. Study “disoriented” →
In the context of the ISEE, select the word that is most similar in meaning to “uniform”.
B — Consistent. “uniform” means adj. Consistent and standard; identical. Study “uniform” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “placate”.
B — Calm. “placate” means v. to appease; calm; pacify. Study “placate” →
Which word is a synonym for “subdue”?
B — conquer. “subdue” means v. to bring under control, to conquer. Study “subdue” →
Choose the synonym for the word “manifold” in the context of: The competition brought forth manifold talents from across the region.
C — Diverse. “manifold” means adj. numerous; various; multiple. Study “manifold” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “diverse”?
B — varied. “diverse” means adj. showing a great deal of variety; very different.. Study “diverse” →
Which word is the best synonym for “accountable”?
B — responsible. “accountable” means adj. responsible for actions or decisions; required to explain oneself. Study “accountable” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “implicit”:
B — tacit. “implicit” means adj. implied; understood; unspoken. Study “implicit” →
What is the synonym of the word “vague” as used in the following sentence? The instructions given by the teacher were so vague that the students had difficulty understanding what was expected of them.
B — confusing. “vague” means adj. unclear; indefinite; hazy. Study “vague” →
What is the synonym of “secede” as used in the following sentence? “The southern states decided to secede from the Union, leading to the Civil War.”
B — Separate. “secede” means v. withdraw separate leave. Study “secede” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “intoxicate”:
D — enchant. “intoxicate” means v. To intoxicate; inebriate. Study “intoxicate” →
Which of the following is the best synonym for the word “repent”?
B — Regret. “repent” means v. regret; feel sorry; atone. Study “repent” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “abstinence”:
B — Restraint. “abstinence” means n. self-restraint sobriety temperance. Study “abstinence” →
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “mentor”?
A — advisor. “mentor” means n. an experienced and trusted advisor. Study “mentor” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “censure”: The committee voted to censure the member for his inappropriate conduct during the meeting.
B — criticize. “censure” means v. condemn; criticize; blame. Study “censure” →
Which of the following words is synonymous with “eloquent”?
A — articulate. “eloquent” means adj. having or showing the ability to use language clearly and effectively. Study “eloquent” →
Select the best synonym for the word “burgeon”:
A — flourish. “burgeon” means v. to grow or increase rapidly; flourish. Study “burgeon” →
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “creed”?
B — belief. “creed” means n. a set of beliefs or aims which guide someone''s actions. Study “creed” →
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “feckless”?
C — careless. “feckless” means adj. lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible. Study “feckless” →
With admirable ______, she held her sharp tongue instead of shouting back.
A — restraint. “restraint” means n. a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control.. Study “restraint” →
With ______ spending, the family stretched their small budget all month.
D — judicious. “judicious” means adj. wise prudent sensible. Study “judicious” →
During a famine, people suffer from extreme ________.
C — hunger. “famine” means n. a severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger. Study “famine” →
The student''s journey through various hobbies without any clear goal was considered ______.
C — aimless. “aimless” means adj. without purpose or direction.. Study “aimless” →
Despite her great fame, the ______ scientist always credited her whole team.
C — self-effacing. “self-effacing” means adj. modest humble unassuming. Study “self-effacing” →
The team's ______ performance ended in a humiliating defeat.
D — abysmal. “abysmal” means adj. terrible awful dreadful. Study “abysmal” →
The clever swindler tried to ______ the elderly couple out of their savings.
B — deceive. “deceive” means v. to mislead or trick someone into believing something that is not true. Study “deceive” →
The generous gift was meant to fund the small school in ______.
C — perpetuity. “perpetuity” means n. eternity; forever; permanence. Study “perpetuity” →
After the war, the small nation rose to sudden ______ over its neighbors.
A — ascendancy. “ascendancy” means n. a position of dominance or controlling influence.. Study “ascendancy” →
The enormous fireworks display was designed to ______ the huge crowd below.
B — dazzle. “dazzle” means v. to impress deeply; astonish with brilliance or skill. Study “dazzle” →
Dark clouds gathering on the horizon often ______ a coming storm.
A — portend. “portend” means v. To foretell; predict. Study “portend” →
It is deeply wrong to ______ people simply because of the color of their skin.
B — segregate. “segregate” means v. to separate or set apart from others or from the main group. Study “segregate” →
Despite his great age, the ______ old man danced happily all night long.
A — sprightly. “sprightly” means adj. lively; energetic; agile. Study “sprightly” →
Fresh air and daily exercise are of ______ importance to good health.
C — prime. “prime” means adj. of first importance; main; best possible quality. Study “prime” →
A skilled taster can easily ______ between two very similar red wines.
A — discriminate. “discriminate” means v. to differentiate or make a distinction. Study “discriminate” →
The train came to a shockingly ______ halt, throwing passengers forward.
A — abrupt. “abrupt” means adj. sudden and unexpected. Study “abrupt” →
The nervous burglar began to ______ in the shadows behind the dark house.
B — skulk. “skulk” means v. to move or lurk in a stealthy or cowardly way. Study “skulk” →
The scientist used solid data to ______ the popular but completely false theory.
A — refute. “refute” means v. disprove; contradict; rebut. Study “refute” →
A loud alarm can be a powerful ______ against would-be burglars.
C — deterrent. “deterrent” means n. something that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something. Study “deterrent” →
The ______ diplomat spoke four languages and loved fine classical music.
B — cultured. “cultured” means adj. Refined and educated; sophisticated. Study “cultured” →
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.