SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : SSAT Elementary Level Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Elementary Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1461 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TEMPTATION

Possible Answers:

Moody

Tempo

Temperature

Desire

Temperamental 

Correct answer:

Desire

Explanation:

Note that although words may share a root, they may not necessarily mean the same thing. In this case, "temptation" and "desire" are closest in meaning. "Tempo" refers to timing in music. "Temperature" (think weather) and "temperamental" (think moody) are not related to "temptation" (or desire). As suggested, the words "moody" and "temperamental" are synonymous with each other.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SPENT

Possible Answers:

Touched 

Tired 

Enthused 

Assisted 

Energetic 

Correct answer:

Tired 

Explanation:

"Spent" can be used as a past tense verb that means gave someone money. However when used as an adjective, it means tired or exhausted. To help you, "enthused" means excited about something, "assisted" means helped, and "touched" means either felt or affected emotionally.

Example Question #1462 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TOPPLE

Possible Answers:

Overthrow

Straighten

Whirl

Bluff

Increase

Correct answer:

Overthrow

Explanation:

"Topple" means to fall or to cause to fall and can be used in a literal, physical sense, like "The tree the lumberjack had been chopping at for an hour finally toppled over," or it can be used in a metaphorical sense, like "The prejudiced government was toppled and a new, more egalitarian one was established in its place." So, "overthrow," which means unseat from a role of power through the use of force, is the correct answer, as it is close in meaning to the second described meaning of "topple."

Example Question #1463 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

BRISK

Possible Answers:

Hurried

Cheap

Common

Risky

Slurred

Correct answer:

Hurried

Explanation:

"Brisk" can mean rapid, fast, or "hurried," as in walking at a brisk pace, or it may pertain to the weather, describing weather that has a bracing, invigorating chill and is often windy. "Hurried" is the best synonym for "brisk" amongst the given answer choices. Although "risky" sounds similar to "brisk," the two words do not have similar meanings. The meanings of "cheap," "common," and "slurred" are also distant from that of "brisk."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PLOT

Possible Answers:

Idea

Chapter

Obstacle

Dream

Scheme

Correct answer:

Scheme

Explanation:

A "plot" is or a secret scheme or the sequence of events in a book, movie, or play, so "scheme" is the correct answer. Neither a "dream" nor an "idea" is a plan (or plot!) unless you put it into action. While "chapter" may make you think of the plot of a book, a "chapter" is one of several or many distinct sections of a book, so it does not mean the sequence of events in a book and cannot be the correct answer.

Example Question #1464 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

MASTER

Possible Answers:

Learn

Mature

Disclose

Mistake

Apply

Correct answer:

Learn

Explanation:

When used as a noun, "master" means an expert at something, but none of the answer choices are close in meaning to expert, so the word "master" must be being used in another way. When used as a verb, "master" means to become skilled at a certain activity, so "learn," which means gain knowledge about something or how to do something, is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "master": "mature" means grow and develop; "mistake" means accidentally misidentify someone or something as someone or something else; "disclose" means reveal information; and "apply" means request or be relevant to.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

STUDY

Possible Answers:

Abandon

Change

Recover

Find

Examine

Correct answer:

Examine

Explanation:

To "study" something means either to learn about it in an academic setting, or to inspect or examine it in order to learn about it. "Examine" is thus the correct answer. While you can "find" or "recover" something and then "study" it, the meanings of these words are different. Oftentimes when you study something, you don't want to "change" it. The best answer choice is "examine."

Example Question #1465 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LEGEND

Possible Answers:

Belief

Opposite

Key

System

Correct answer:

Key

Explanation:

A "legend" can be a story that describes extraordinary achievements with unknown origins, like a myth or a fable. A "legend" can also be a key, or guide. For example: every map has a legend that explains what each of the symbols means.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VENT

Possible Answers:

Express

Burn

Spark

Venerate

Ignite

Correct answer:

Express

Explanation:

The words "vent" and "express" are synonyms. To "vent" your emotions means to "express" them in a way that brings you some relief. The other words do not have similar meanings. "Venerate" might seem similar, but it actually means to "praise" someone.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LOW

Possible Answers:

Elegant

Unsophisticated

Sophisticated

High

Elevated

Correct answer:

Unsophisticated

Explanation:

The word "low" can be used to describe someone or something "unsophisticated": "Belching at the dinner table is quite low behavior." All of the other answer choices are antonyms of the word "low." Note that "unsophisticated" stands out not only because it is the opposite of "sophisticated," but because it is also the only word with a slightly negative sense.

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