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 the word “vivify” in the sentence: “The artist sought to vivify his paintings by using bold colors and dynamic lines.”
B — Animate. “vivify” means v. enliven animate energize. Study “vivify” →
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “merciful”?
B — compassionate. “merciful” means adj. showing compassion or forgiveness toward someone whom it is within one''s power to punish or harm. Study “merciful” →
Which word is a synonym for “volatile”?
C — Unpredictable. “volatile” means adj. unstable changeable explosive. Study “volatile” →
What is a synonym for “synoptic”?
B — summary. “synoptic” means adj. giving a general view or summary. Study “synoptic” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “respite”?
B — Relief. “respite” means n. break rest relief. Study “respite” →
Which word is a synonym for “antipathy” in the sentence: He has an antipathy towards dishonesty?
C — aversion. “antipathy” means n. a strong feeling of dislike. Study “antipathy” →
Choose the synonym for the word “cusp”: The scientist claimed we were on the cusp of a major breakthrough in renewable energy technology.
A — tip. “cusp” means n. edge; point; threshold. Study “cusp” →
Which word is closest in meaning to “veracity”?
C — truthfulness. “veracity” means n. truthfulness; accuracy. Study “veracity” →
Select the best synonym for the word “chaos”:
A — turmoil. “chaos” means n. complete disorder and confusion. Study “chaos” →
Select the word that is the best synonym for “acerbic”:
A — Bitter. “acerbic” means adj. sharp bitter harsh. Study “acerbic” →
Which word is a synonym for “suppress”?
B — subdue. “suppress” means v. to stop or prevent something from being seen or expressed. Study “suppress” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “coalesce”?
C — Unite. “coalesce” means v. to merge; unite; combine. Study “coalesce” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “surrogate” as used in this sentence: “The lawyer suggested a surrogate to handle the responsibilities in the absence of the executive.”
A — substitute. “surrogate” means n. substitute; replacement; proxy. Study “surrogate” →
Select the word that is most similar in meaning to “intrigue”:
C — fascinate. “intrigue” means v. fascinate; plot; scheme. Study “intrigue” →
Which of the following words is the closest in meaning to “immutable”?
B — Permanent. “immutable” means adj. unchangeable permanent fixed. Study “immutable” →
Which of the following is a synonym for the word “canonical”?
B — Standard. “canonical” means adj. Classical and authoritative; standard. Study “canonical” →
Choose the synonym for the word “rhetoric” in the following sentence: The politician was known more for his persuasive rhetoric than for his actual policies.
A — eloquence. “rhetoric” means n. eloquence persuasion empty talk. Study “rhetoric” →
Choose the word most similar in meaning to “debased”:
C — Degraded. “debased” means adj. degraded; corrupted; lowered. Study “debased” →
Select the best synonym for the word “abhorrent”:
A — Disgusting. “abhorrent” means adj. detestable; repugnant; loathsome. Study “abhorrent” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “dramatize”.
A — Exaggerate. “dramatize” means v. exaggerate theatricalize emphasize. Study “dramatize” →
His ______ reply of a single word ended the whole conversation at once.
D — terse. “terse” means adj. Brief and concise; laconic. Study “terse” →
The ______ chemical could burst into roaring flame at the slightest spark.
C — volatile. “volatile” means adj. unstable changeable explosive. Study “volatile” →
The steep, fast roller coaster is sure to ______ every thrill-seeker.
A — exhilarate. “exhilarate” means v. to make someone feel very happy and excited. Study “exhilarate” →
The ______ eater refused any dish that contained even a hint of onion.
B — finicky. “finicky” means adj. fussy; particular; demanding. Study “finicky” →
His reckless behavior was the very ______ of careful, patient planning.
B — antithesis. “antithesis” means n. opposite; contrast; contradiction. Study “antithesis” →
The ______ new law quickly divided the town into two angry camps.
C — contentious. “contentious” means adj. controversial; argumentative; disputed. Study “contentious” →
They spent a perfectly ______ afternoon by the quiet stream beneath the trees.
A — idyllic. “idyllic” means adj. peaceful; pastoral; charming. Study “idyllic” →
During the flood, dangerous disease became ______ in the overcrowded camps.
B — rampant. “rampant” means adj. flourishing or spreading unchecked. Study “rampant” →
The ______ boy rudely stuck out his tongue at the strict headmaster.
C — impudent. “impudent” means adj. rude; insolent; disrespectful. Study “impudent” →
The careful detective paused to ______ every tiny clue at the crime scene.
C — scrutinize. “scrutinize” means v. examine inspect analyze. Study “scrutinize” →
The ______ host chatted warmly with every guest at the crowded party.
C — affable. “affable” means adj. friendly and easy to talk to. Study “affable” →
The scientist sent a polite ______ asking for more details about the study.
A — query. “query” means n. question; inquiry; doubt. Study “query” →
The ______ criminal showed no shame or pity at all for his cruel deeds.
A — depraved. “depraved” means adj. corrupt immoral wicked. Study “depraved” →
The ______ villain plotted secretly to steal his own brother's fortune.
A — conniving. “conniving” means adj. scheming; plotting; conspiring. Study “conniving” →
As the demand for electric vehicles began to ________, the automotive industry shifted its focus toward more sustainable technologies.
B — burgeon. “burgeon” means v. to grow or increase rapidly; flourish. Study “burgeon” →
New students are expected to ______ to the school's strict dress code.
A — conform. “conform” means v. to comply with rules, standards, or laws.. Study “conform” →
Tapping his pen was a nervous ______ he showed whenever he was worried.
A — mannerism. “mannerism” means n. Habit and quirk; affectation. Study “mannerism” →
She would ______ and giggle foolishly whenever the handsome actor spoke.
C — simper. “simper” means v. to smile in a silly or affected way. Study “simper” →
Honesty is just one important ______ of her truly admirable character.
A — facet. “facet” means n. one side of something many-sided, especially of a cut gem.. Study “facet” →
To empty the jar completely, simply ______ it over the bowl and shake.
C — invert. “invert” means v. to turn something upside down or inside out. Study “invert” →
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.