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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #284 : Synonyms

A synonym of "illuminate" is __________.

Possible Answers:

color in

light up

spin

run away

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 #111 : Synonyms: Verbs

Which is a synonym for budge?

Possible Answers:

Secure

Keep

Solid

None of the other answer choices.

Shift

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:

Flee

None of the other answer choices. 

Explain

Aid

Confront

Correct answer:

Flee

Explanation:

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

Example Question #285 : Synonyms

A synonym of "dismantle" is . . .

Possible Answers:

ignore

wear

discard

build

deconstruct

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 #286 : Synonyms

A synonym of "elude" is . . .

Possible Answers:

event

embargo

engross

evade

enough

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 #281 : Synonyms

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

ASCEND

Possible Answers:

Crack

Climb

Jump

Fall

Drop

Correct answer:

Climb

Explanation:

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

Example Question #291 : Synonyms

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

ADHERE

Possible Answers:

Propose 

Decry 

Stick 

Solemn 

Devour 

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 #292 : Synonyms

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

DISCHARGE

Possible Answers:

Fulfill 

Appoint

Eject

Consider

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 #293 : Synonyms

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

TRESPASS

Possible Answers:

encroach

avoid

mingle

bump

leave

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 #294 : Synonyms

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

TREMBLE

Possible Answers:

Skirt

Alert 

Perceive 

Shake 

Lessen 

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.

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