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 most similar in meaning to “tacit.”
C — implied. “tacit” means adj. implied; unspoken; understood. Study “tacit” →
Which word is the best synonym for “dormant”?
A — inactive. “dormant” means adj. not active or growing but having the ability to become active. Study “dormant” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym to “slavish”: The employee''s ________ devotion to the company was both admired and pitied by his colleagues.
C — servile. “slavish” means adj. Servile and obsequious; fawning. Study “slavish” →
In the world of scientific discovery, one groundbreaking study often serves as a precursor to further research that expands on its findings.
C — predecessor. “precursor” means n. forerunner; predecessor; harbinger. Study “precursor” →
Which of the following words is a synonym for “circumspect”?
B — Careful. “circumspect” means Adj. careful; cautious; prudent; wary. Study “circumspect” →
Which word is the closest in meaning to “besmirch”?
C — sully. “besmirch” means v. to damage the reputation of someone or something. Study “besmirch” →
What is a synonym for “transgress”?
B — violate. “transgress” means v. to violate a law, command, or moral code. Study “transgress” →
Choose the word that is a synonym for “fervent”: The speaker delivered a fervent plea for unity, hoping to inspire action among the attendees.
C — zealous. “fervent” means adj. passionate; intense; ardent. Study “fervent” →
Choose the best synonym for the word “deduce”:
D — infer. “deduce” means v. to reach a conclusion by reasoning. Study “deduce” →
Which word is a synonym for “premature” as used in the sentence: “The celebration seemed premature given the ongoing challenges”?
A — Early. “premature” means adj. early; untimely; hasty. Study “premature” →
Which of the following is closest in meaning to “spartan”?
B — simple. “spartan” means adj. marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort. Study “spartan” →
Which word is closest in meaning to “entice”?
B — tempt. “entice” means v. to attract or lure by offering something appealing. Study “entice” →
Choose the word that is the closest synonym to “Fiscal”:
A — Financial. “fiscal” means adj. Financial and monetary; budgetary. Study “fiscal” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “fleeting”.
B — Brief. “fleeting” means adj. brief temporary passing. Study “fleeting” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “abysmal”:
B — terrible. “abysmal” means adj. terrible awful dreadful. Study “abysmal” →
Which of the following is a synonym for slander?
B — defamation. “slander” means n. the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person''s reputation.. Study “slander” →
Choose the best synonym for the word: Calamity
A — Disaster. “calamity” means n. disaster catastrophe tragedy. Study “calamity” →
Select the synonym for the following word as used in the sentence: The debate became increasingly acrimonious, with both sides refusing to budge.
A — bitter. “acrimonious” means adj. bitter; harsh; caustic. Study “acrimonious” →
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “unkempt”.
B — disheveled. “unkempt” means adj. having an untidy or disheveled appearance. Study “unkempt” →
What is a synonym for “conform”?
A — comply. “conform” means v. to comply with rules, standards, or laws.. Study “conform” →
The great painter chose to ______ the queen's beauty in a famous portrait.
C — immortalize. “immortalize” means v. preserve commemorate honor. Study “immortalize” →
The ______ new house had plenty of room for the whole large family.
A — commodious. “commodious” means adj. spacious and comfortable. Study “commodious” →
The ______ inspector rejected the cake because the icing was slightly uneven.
D — persnickety. “persnickety” means adj. fussy; particular; finicky. Study “persnickety” →
Every member of the club must ______ by its strict written rules.
A — abide. “abide” means v. to accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation.. Study “abide” →
His ______ attempt to fix the old clock only broke it even further.
A — maladroit. “maladroit” means adj. clumsy awkward inept. Study “maladroit” →
Steady teamwork is a truly ______ part of winning any relay race.
D — integral. “integral” means adj. essential or necessary for completeness. Study “integral” →
A sandcastle is ______, easily washed away by the very next rising tide.
B — impermanent. “impermanent” means adj. temporary; transient; fleeting. Study “impermanent” →
With her grace and kindness, she was the ______ of a truly great leader.
C — epitome. “epitome” means n. perfect example; embodiment; essence. Study “epitome” →
Despite many painful failures, she chose to ______ until she reached her goal.
B — persevere. “persevere” means v. to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult. Study “persevere” →
The dictator''s rule was characterized by corruption and ____.
B — infamy. “infamy” means n. the state of being well known for a bad quality or deed. Study “infamy” →
The ______ fumes from the chemical spill forced everyone to evacuate the area.
C — noxious. “noxious” means adj. harmful; toxic; poisonous. Study “noxious” →
A few kind words did much to ______ the grieving widow's deep sorrow.
A — assuage. “assuage” means V. to make less intense; soothe; relieve. Study “assuage” →
The police raided the warehouse where the ______ goods were hidden.
B — illicit. “illicit” means adj. forbidden by law, rules, or custom. Study “illicit” →
A brand-new car begins to ______ the very moment you drive it off the lot.
B — depreciate. “depreciate” means v. to decrease in value over time. Study “depreciate” →
A ______ shopper can tell fine silk from a cheap imitation at a glance.
C — discerning. “discerning” means adj. having or showing good judgment or understanding. Study “discerning” →
The artist's ______ painting sparked heated debate all across the city.
A — provocative. “provocative” means adj. provocative; inflammatory; stimulating. Study “provocative” →
Her generous boss gave her plenty of ______ to run the project her own way.
D — latitude. “latitude” means n. Freedom and scope; leeway. Study “latitude” →
The detective made a truly ______ search, examining every corner of the room.
D — exhaustive. “exhaustive” means adj. complete and thorough. Study “exhaustive” →
After the harsh accusation, she offered a calm, powerful ______ of every point.
C — rebuttal. “rebuttal” means n. refutation; counterargument; denial. Study “rebuttal” →
A large fallen tree began to ______ the only road out of the valley.
C — obstruct. “obstruct” means v. to block or get in the way of something. Study “obstruct” →
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.