SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Appease

Quit

Aspire

Convene 

Pretend

Correct answer:

Appease

Explanation:

"Placate" most nearly means to appease or to calm through agreement. The words "pretend," "aspire," "quit," and "convene" have no relation to the word "placate." "Aspire" means to direct one's ambitions towards a goal (for example, "She aspires to be a doctor.") "Convene" most nearly means to bring together in a group.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CONDONE

Possible Answers:

Supply 

Allow

Forget 

Condemn

Prohibit 

Correct answer:

Allow

Explanation:

"Condone" is a verb that means to allow or forgive. A typical example would be an authority figure who "condones" a subordinate's behavior. "Supply" and "forget" have no relation to the word "condone," while "prohibit" and "condemn" are antonyms. Therefore, the correct answer is "allow." 

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ARGUING

Possible Answers:

Communicating

Talking

Whispering

Quarreling

Assisting

Correct answer:

Quarreling

Explanation:

"Arguing" involves a disagreement between two or more people who hold different views on a topic. "Quarreling" is the best synonym of "arguing."

Incorrect Answers:

"Talking" means to speak.

"Whispering" means to speak quietly.

"Communicating" involves the sharing of information.

"Assisting" means to help someone else.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CONFESS

Possible Answers:

Enable

Create

Ponder

Acknowledge

Yearn

Correct answer:

Acknowledge

Explanation:

"Confess" means to accept fault for something. "Acknowledge," which means to admit guilt, is the best synonym of "confess."

Incorrect Answers:

"Yearn" indicates a desire to do something.

"Ponder" means to think about.

"Enable" involves giving someone the power to do something.

"Create" means bring something into existence.

Example Question #231 : Synonyms

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The young boy was so hungry that he gorged himself on dinner.  

Possible Answers:

skipped

stuffed

missed

None of the above

left

Correct answer:

stuffed

Explanation:

To stuff yourself with food would be the same thing as to gorge yourself. Both meaning "over-eating." 

Example Question #232 : Synonyms

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The snake slithered effortlessly across the the grass.

Possible Answers:

ran

walked

glided

stopped

None of the above

Correct answer:

glided

Explanation:

Slithered and glided both refer to the snake's movement.  

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The grasshopper leapt from my hands.  

Possible Answers:

sat

None of the above

stuck

stayed

sit

Correct answer:

None of the above

Explanation:

None of the above words describe that the grasshopper jumped or left the person's hands. 

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

A synonym of “stretch” is __________.

Possible Answers:

magnify

consider

shrink

speak

extend

Correct answer:

extend

Explanation:

“Stretch” is a verb that refers to things that are soft or elastic and means “be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “be made longer.” That means that “shrink” cannot be the correct answer, because “shrink” means “to become or make smaller in size or amount,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “stretch.” “Extend,” however, is a verb that means “cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider,” and because “extend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “stretch,” “extend” is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

The volcano's lava burst into the sky.

Possible Answers:

crept

None of the above

dripped

left

exploded

Correct answer:

exploded

Explanation:

The word "exploded" could replace "burst" to describe how the lava erupts from the top of a volcano. 

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

We had to merge two packs of sugar to create one cup.

Possible Answers:

lose

replace

None of the above

combine

move

Correct answer:

combine

Explanation:

"Merge" can replaced with "combine" to maintain a similar meaning.

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