SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Synonyms

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

ERA

Possible Answers:

Age

Demanding

Anger

Ease

Chill

Correct answer:

Age

Explanation:

An "era" is a specified period of time or an age. Someone might refer to "the era of the dinosaurs" just as he or she could refer to "the age of the dinosaurs." So, "age" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "era" and the correct answer.

Example Question #42 : Synonyms

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DEGREE

Possible Answers:

Class

Heat

Angel

Extent

Heathen

Correct answer:

Extent

Explanation:

The DEGREE to which something occurs is the extent to which it occurs.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms

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

TRADITION

Possible Answers:

Astronomy

Custom

Voyage

Collection

Military

Correct answer:

Custom

Explanation:

A "tradition" is a custom, so "custom" is the correct answer. A "collection" is a group of things; a "voyage" is a trip by sea; the "military" is the armed services; and "astronomy" is the study of space and celestial objects.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms

A synonym of "authority" is __________.

Possible Answers:

symbol

kingdom

power

rule

weakness

Correct answer:

power

Explanation:

"Authority" is a noun meaning "the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience," or a person who has such power. While "rule" might look like the correct answer because someone who has authority can usually make rules, "rule" does not mean the same thing as "authority," so it can't be the correct answer. "Power," however, is the answer choice closest in meaning to "authority," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #45 : Synonyms

A synonym of "habitat" is __________.

Possible Answers:

natural environment

sea floor

royal palace

government building

town square

Correct answer:

natural environment

Explanation:

Since "habitat" is a noun that means "a plant or animal's natural home," we need to pick out another word that means "a plant or animal's natural home." While "sea floor" could be the natural home of certain types of animals and plants, "sea floor" does not mean "a plant or animal's natural home," so it can't be the correct answer. "Natural environment," on the other hand, means "a plant or animal's natural home," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #46 : Synonyms

A synonym of “symptom” is __________.

Possible Answers:

treatment

game

sign

definition

meal

Correct answer:

sign

Explanation:

“Symptom” is a noun that means “a physical or mental feature that indicates a disease” or “a sign of the existence of something.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “an indication of something.” That means that “treatment” cannot be the correct answer, because “treatment” can mean “medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury,” a meaning which is very far from that of “symptom.” “Sign,” however, is a word that when used as a noun means “ an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else,” and because “sign” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “symptom,” “sign” is the correct answer.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms

Pause

Possible Answers:

Homework

Field

Ocean

Attic

Break

Correct answer:

Break

Explanation:

A pause is a break.

Example Question #48 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Weight

Possible Answers:

Ability

Focus

Height

Intelligence

Heaviness

Correct answer:

Heaviness

Explanation:

"Weight" means heaviness.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms

Which word can replace the underlined word?

Her occupation allows her to work on people's teeth.

Possible Answers:

home

couch

None of the above

tree

job

Correct answer:

job

Explanation:

Job can replace occupation to maintain the same meaning in the sentence. 

Example Question #48 : Synonyms

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

DRIVEL

Possible Answers:

Decadence 

Charity 

Astonishing 

Nonsense 

Literature 

Correct answer:

Nonsense 

Explanation:

“Drivel” is a word used to describe spoken nonsense, so "nonsense" is the correct answer. To provide further help, something that is “astonishing” is amazing, “decadence” means self-indulgence, “literature” means the whole of written works that are considered to be works of art; and “charity” is the act of giving to others.

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