SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, and Location

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

A synonym of "illuminate" is __________.

Possible Answers:

run away

color in

spin

light up

waver

Correct answer:

light up

Explanation:

Since "illuminate" is a verb that means "provide or brighten with light,"  we need to pick out an answer that also means "provide or brighten with light." Since "light up" also means "provide or brighten with light," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which is a synonym for budge?

Possible Answers:

Solid

Shift

None of the other answer choices.

Secure

Keep

Correct answer:

Shift

Explanation:

Both "budge" and "shift" can mean to move something slightly. 

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which is a synonym for evade?

Possible Answers:

Aid

Flee

Confront

None of the other answer choices. 

Explain

Correct answer:

Flee

Explanation:

"Evade" and "flee" both mean to avoid someone or a situation. 

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

A synonym of "dismantle" is . . .

Possible Answers:

ignore

deconstruct

wear

build

discard

Correct answer:

deconstruct

Explanation:

"Dismantle" is a verb that means "to take something, such as a machine or structure, apart so that it is in separate pieces," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb and means something like "take apart." While "discard" may look like a good answer choice because like "dismantle," it starts with the prefix "dis-," "discard" actually means "throw away," so it cannot be the correct answer because it does not mean the same thing that "dismantle" does. "Deconstruct," however, is a verb that means "to break down into constituent parts; dissect; dismantle," and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "dismantle," "deconstruct" is the correct answer.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

A synonym of "elude" is . . .

Possible Answers:

evade

engross

embargo

enough

event

Correct answer:

evade

Explanation:

"Elude" is a verb that means "to escape from a danger, enemy, or pursuer, typically in a skillful or cunning way," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "to escape in a cunning way." While all the answer choices may seem potentially correct because they all start with the letter "e," only "engross" and "evade" are verbs. "Engross" means "absorb all the attention or interest of," so it can't be the correct answer because it is not similar in meaning to "elude." "Evade," however, means "escape or avoid, esp. by cleverness or trickery," and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "elude," "evade" is the correct answer.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

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

ASCEND

Possible Answers:

Climb

Fall

Jump

Drop

Crack

Correct answer:

Climb

Explanation:

"Climb" could be substituted to maintain a similar meaning.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

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

ADHERE

Possible Answers:

Propose 

Stick 

Devour 

Solemn 

Decry 

Correct answer:

Stick 

Explanation:

“Adhere” is a verb that means stick or stick to, so "stick" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “propose” can mean suggest or share an idea or plan; “criticize” means point out the flaws in; “devour” means consume or eat completely; and “solemn” means sad and serious. For example, funerals are typically solemn occasions.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

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

DISCHARGE

Possible Answers:

Consider

Appoint

Eject

Fulfill 

Falter

Correct answer:

Eject

Explanation:

To "discharge" something means to eject it from something else, or to inform a person that he or she is able to leave, and sometimes that he or she must leave. That means that "eject," which means throw or toss out of, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are as close in meaning to "discharge" as is "eject": "fulfill" means achieve; "falter" means lose one's balance or composure; "arrange" means place in a specific visual organization, often one meant to be visually pleasing; "appoint" means assign a role to someone; and "consider" means think about carefully.

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

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

TRESPASS

Possible Answers:

leave

encroach

avoid

bump

mingle

Correct answer:

encroach

Explanation:

“Trespass” is a verb that means “enter the owner’s land or property without permission,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “enter an area without permission.” That means that “leave” cannot be the correct answer, because “leave,” when used as a verb, can mean “go away from,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “trespass.” “Encroach,” however, is a verb that can mean “intrude on (a person’s territory or a thing considered to be a right),” and because “encroach” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “trespass,” “encroach” is the correct answer.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

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

TREMBLE

Possible Answers:

Shake 

Lessen 

Perceive 

Alert 

Skirt

Correct answer:

Shake 

Explanation:

To “tremble” means to shake, often with fear. To provide further help, “skirt,” when used as a verb, means go around or avoid; to “alert” means to tell someone about something; “perceive” means notice or look at; and “lessen” means make something less, usually to make something intense less intense.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors