SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

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

COOL

Possible Answers:

Reveal

Freshen

Freshman

Reference

Refreshment

Correct answer:

Freshen

Explanation:

"Cool" and "freshen" are synonyms. The other words are not synonymous with "cool."

Example Question #311 : Synonyms

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

POUNCE

Possible Answers:

Crawl

Wriggle

Glide

Fly

Ambush

Correct answer:

Ambush

Explanation:

A cat may "pounce" on a mouse. This means that it suddenly springs on the mouse, usually from a hiding place. The word with the closest meaning is "ambush."  An "ambush" is a surprise attack.

All of the other words on the list are also ways of moving. If you "fly," you move through the air. If you "crawl," you drag your body or move on your hands and knees. "Glide" is a form of flying where you move through the air without an engine or moving wings. "Wriggle" means to twist and turn quickly on the ground.

Birds fly; babies crawl; kites glide; and worms wriggle.

Example Question #312 : Synonyms

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

SUSTAIN

Possible Answers:

Deny

Object

Complicate

Confuse

Support

Correct answer:

Support

Explanation:

"Sustain" most nearly means to strengthen or support. Variations include "sustainable" or "sustenance." "Deny" and "object" both mean to oppose, and therefore are not synonyms. "Confuse" and "complicate" both relate to making a situation more complex, and are not related to "sustain."

Example Question #313 : Synonyms

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

LOOKING

Possible Answers:

Hyperventilating

Meeting

Peering

Feeling

Trotting

Correct answer:

Peering

Explanation:

"Looking" means to peer at something, which makes "peering" the best synonym of "looking."

Incorrect Answers:

"Hyperventilating" involves becoming overexcited. 

"Trotting" involves running at a moderate pace.

"Meeting" means to make the acquaintance of someone for the first time.

"Feeling" involves experiencing an emotion.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Which word is a synonym for the word concerned?

Julie was concerned with her grade on the math test.

Possible Answers:

worried

thrilled

None of the other answer choices

happy

excited

Correct answer:

worried

Explanation:

The word worried can replace concern to maintain a similar meaning. 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

 

ASTONISH

Possible Answers:

Surprise 

Punish 

Susceptible

Demand 

Manage 

Correct answer:

Surprise 

Explanation:

"Astonish" means to surprise, so "surprise" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "astonish": "demand" means to ask for something forcefully; "susceptible" means in danger; "manage" means direct a group or endure; and "punish" means discipline for breaking rules or behaving badly.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Depict 

Calm 

Embolden 

Zoom

Demand

Correct answer:

Calm 

Explanation:

"Assuage" means to calm someone or something down, so "calm," which when used as a verb means make calm, is the correct answer. To help you, "depict" means to show, "embolden" means to make brave, "demand" means forcefully ask for something, and "zoom" means to travel at a very fast speed.

Example Question #148 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

LOATHE

Possible Answers:

Despise

Clarify

Adore

Study

Correct answer:

Despise

Explanation:

The answer is "despise." "Despise" and "loathe" are verbs that mean dislike strongly, such as in the sentence, "He despises people who bully others."

Example Question #321 : Synonyms

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

SEDATE

Possible Answers:

Scold 

Listen 

Admit 

Settle down 

Deny 

Correct answer:

Settle down 

Explanation:

To "sedate" something means to use medicine to make it sleep, to calm it, or settle it down. So, "settle down" is the correct answer. To help you, "scold" means reprimand, and "deny" means refuse to accept something.

Example Question #322 : Synonyms

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

GRIMACE

Possible Answers:

Scowl 

Grin

Demand 

Whisper

Chuckle 

Correct answer:

Scowl 

Explanation:

To “grimace” is to express sadness or anger or pain with your face, and as such, it is closest in meaning to “scowl,” which means frown to convey great sadness or anger. To provide further help, to “chuckle” is to laugh quietly; to "grin" is to smile broadly, to "whisper" is to speak in a low, quiet voice so as not to be heard, and to “demand” is to tell someone they have to do something as if they don't have a choice.

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