SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms

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

GLIMMER

Possible Answers:

Beam

Run

Ooze

Grant

Twinkle

Correct answer:

Twinkle

Explanation:

“Glimmer” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the answer choirs can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “glimmer” as a verb. When used as a verb, “glimmer” means gleam, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like gleam. That means that “beam” cannot be the correct answer, because “beam” can mean shine in a bright way, and because “glimmer” specifically refers to a more faint kind of shining, “beam” cannot be the correct answer. “Twinkle,” however, is a word that when used as a verb means glimmer, and because “twinkle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “glimmer,” “twinkle” is the correct answer.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms

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

CONCEPT

Possible Answers:

Friend

Confident

Abundance

Thing

Idea

Correct answer:

Idea

Explanation:

"Concept" is a noun meaning "an idea of what something is or how it works," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "idea." While "confident" might sound like the correct answer because both "concept" and "confident" start with the syllable "con-," "confident" means "feeling or showing confidence in oneself; self-assured," or "feeling or showing certainty about something." Because "confident" does not mean the same thing as "concept," it can't be the correct answer. Since "idea" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "concept," "idea" is the correct answer.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms

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

ESTEEM

Possible Answers:

Deference

Luck

Aspire

Jubilant

Team

Correct answer:

Deference

Explanation:

"Esteem" is a word that as a noun, means "respect and admiration, typically for a person," and as a verb, "respect and admire." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "respect," as a noun or a verb. "Team" might seem like a potentially correct answer because "esteem" contains the syllable "teem," which sounds the same as"team;" however, "team" does not mean the same thing as "esteem," so it cannot be the correct answer. Since "deference" means "humble submission and respect," "deference" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "respect," and thus the correct answer.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms

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

FUSION

Possible Answers:

Probability

Imitation

Separation

Combination

Distinction

Correct answer:

Combination

Explanation:

“Fusion” is a noun that means “joining two or more things together,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “blending” or “joining.” That means that “separation” cannot be the correct answer, because “separation” means “the division of something,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “fusion.” “Combination,” however, is a noun that can mean “a joining of different parts,” and because “combination” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “fusion,” “combination” is the correct answer.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms

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

VIGOR

Possible Answers:

Intelligence 

Research 

Career

Height 

Strength 

Correct answer:

Strength 

Explanation:

“Vigor” is another word for strength or energy, so "strength" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “intelligence”  means how smart you are, a “career” is a job you mean to do for a long time, and “research” means study in a methodical way

Example Question #56 : Synonyms

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

HYPOTHESIS

Possible Answers:

Idea 

Menace 

Science

Novice 

Professor 

Correct answer:

Idea 

Explanation:

An “hypothesis” is an idea that needs to be tested to see if it is true or not. To provide further help, a “novice” is a beginner or someone new to something; a “professor” is a teacher at a college or university; a “science” is a branch of learning devoted to observing phenomena and testing ideas via experimentation; and a “menace” is someone or something who is threatening, scary, or dangerous.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms

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

PEST

Possible Answers:

Nuisance

Pet

Piece

Whisper

Secret

Correct answer:

Nuisance

Explanation:

A “pest” is something that is annoying, or a “nuisance.” To provide further help, “piece” means a part of a larger whole; a "whisper" is something said in a soft, quiet voice, a "secret" is some piece of information that you don't tell anyone, or that you share with very few people; and a "pet" is a domesticated animal kept for entertainment and companionship.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms

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

JUMBLE

Possible Answers:

Blunder

Jump

Cleanliness

Muddle

Junk

Correct answer:

Muddle

Explanation:

"Jumble," when used as a noun, means cluttermuddle, or mess, and when used as a verb, "jumble" means mix up in an untidy manner. The correct answer is "muddle," which when used as a noun means a mixed-up and confusing mess, and when used as a verb means confuse or mix up into a disorganized mess. As for the incorrect answer choices, "blunder" means make a mistake and a "blunder" is a mistake or an error.

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Glee

Possible Answers:

Animal

Joy

Tiredness

River

Sadness

Correct answer:

Joy

Explanation:

Glee means Joy.

Example Question #59 : Synonyms

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

Conflict

Possible Answers:

Profession

Agreement

Transaction

Disagreement

Champion

Correct answer:

Disagreement

Explanation:

"Conflict" is a disagreement; Agreement is a consensus; Profession is a job; Transaction is an exchange; and Champion is a winner.

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