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.
Select the synonym for “guileless”: Despite their age, the children were completely ___, always speaking their minds without any intention to deceive.
C — sincere. “guileless” means adj. innocent honest naive. Study “guileless” →
Which of the following words is a synonym of “debase”?
B — degrade. “debase” means v. to lower in quality, value, or dignity; to degrade. Study “debase” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “pompous”: The CEO''s speech was criticized for being too pompous.
C — Arrogant. “pompous” means adj. arrogant showy pretentious. Study “pompous” →
Choose the synonym for “discriminate”:
B — discern. “discriminate” means v. to differentiate or make a distinction. Study “discriminate” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “executor”.
B — Administrator. “executor” means n. administrator manager implementer. Study “executor” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “reproof”?
C — Criticism. “reproof” means n. rebuke; criticism; scolding. Study “reproof” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to: imprudent.
A — careless. “imprudent” means adj. unwise; reckless; foolish. Study “imprudent” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “apocryphal”?
C — spurious. “apocryphal” means adj. of questionable authenticity or authorship. Study “apocryphal” →
Which word is a synonym for “hibernate”?
B — sleep. “hibernate” means v. to spend the winter in a dormant state. Study “hibernate” →
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “piquant”:
B — Spicy. “piquant” means adj. spicy; stimulating; provocative. Study “piquant” →
What is a synonym for “inscrutable” as used in the sentence: “Although she was a talented player, her inscrutable expression revealed nothing of her strategy.”?
B — mysterious. “inscrutable” means adj. impossible to understand or interpret. Study “inscrutable” →
Select the synonym for the word “adversity” as used in the following sentence: Despite facing significant adversity, the team never lost hope and continued to strive for victory.
C — misfortune. “adversity” means N. hardship; misfortune; difficulty. Study “adversity” →
In the context of the text, what is the synonym of the word “paramount”?
C — Important. “paramount” means adj. supreme; most important; primary. Study “paramount” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “spectrum”:
A — Array. “spectrum” means n. range; variety; continuum. Study “spectrum” →
Which of the following is a synonym for “dichotomy”?
B — division. “dichotomy” means n. a division or contrast between two things that are represented as being opposed or entirely different. Study “dichotomy” →
Which of the following is the best synonym for “flippant”?
C — Offhand. “flippant” means adj. disrespectful casual thoughtless. Study “flippant” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “Prerequisite”:
A — Requirement. “prerequisite” means n. requirement; condition; necessity. Study “prerequisite” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “proximity”:
B — vicinity. “proximity” means n. nearness; closeness; vicinity. Study “proximity” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “dogmatic” as used in the sentence: Despite the lack of evidence, he remained dogmatic about his views, refusing to consider contrary opinions.
B — stubborn. “dogmatic” means adj. rigid; inflexible; opinionated. Study “dogmatic” →
What does the word “indulge” most closely mean?
B — pamper. “indulge” means v. to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of. Study “indulge” →
In his eagerness to help, Tom was often perceived as __________ when he gave unsolicited advice.
A — officious. “officious” means adj. meddlesome interfering bossy. Study “officious” →
The victorious young boxer began to ______ proudly around the ring.
D — swagger. “swagger” means v. to strut; boast; show off. Study “swagger” →
A strong argument relies on ______ rather than on raw, blind emotion.
B — logos. “logos” means n. logic; reason; brand symbol. Study “logos” →
Smoking has a clearly ______ effect on a person's overall health.
D — deleterious. “deleterious” means Adj. harmful; damaging; injurious. Study “deleterious” →
A single small spark was enough to ______ the dry pile of twigs.
D — kindle. “kindle” means v. to start a fire; ignite; arouse or inspire a feeling or emotion. Study “kindle” →
A ______ guard carefully scanned the restless crowd for any sign of trouble.
A — vigilant. “vigilant” means adj. watchful; alert; cautious. Study “vigilant” →
Only the ______ plants that resist heavy frost can survive the harsh winter.
D — hardy. “hardy” means adj. strong tough resilient. Study “hardy” →
The trauma of the long war left a deep scar on the young soldier's ______.
C — psyche. “psyche” means n. mind; soul; spirit. Study “psyche” →
In today“s world, social media is a __________ tool, influencing people”s opinions and behaviors extensively.
B — pervasive. “pervasive” means adj. widespread; penetrating; prevalent. Study “pervasive” →
During the strict fast, complete ______ from all food is expected.
A — abstinence. “abstinence” means n. self-restraint sobriety temperance. Study “abstinence” →
In a court of law, a witness is often called upon to _______ the truth of a statement.
B — vouch. “vouch” means v. To guarantee; attest. Study “vouch” →
The fast-growing company plans to ______ into several new countries next year.
B — expand. “expand” means v. to increase in size or amount; to make something become larger. Study “expand” →
He smiled ______, wishing he had made a far wiser choice.
B — ruefully. “ruefully” means adv. regretfully; sadly; sorrowfully. Study “ruefully” →
She gave a ______ answer, leaving no room at all for any doubt.
A — definite. “definite” means adj. clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful. Study “definite” →
Several honest witnesses could ______ to the truth of her strange story.
A — attest. “attest” means v. to certify; confirm; witness. Study “attest” →
He spent a truly ______ amount of time worrying about the tiniest details.
B — inordinate. “inordinate” means adj. excessive; unreasonable; immoderate. Study “inordinate” →
In ancient times, a person might be _______ by their community if they were deemed harmful or dangerous.
A — ostracized. “ostracize” means v. exclude; shun; banish. Study “ostracize” →
His ______ language deeply shocked the guests at the quiet dinner party.
B — profane. “profane” means adj. irreverent; vulgar; secular. Study “profane” →
The ______ chef has cooked fine meals for kings and presidents alike.
C — renowned. “renowned” means adj. widely known and esteemed. Study “renowned” →
Medieval alchemists dreamed of a magical way to ______ lead into pure gold.
D — transmute. “transmute” means v. transform; change; convert. Study “transmute” →
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.