SSAT Middle Level Verbal : SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BIGOT

Possible Answers:

Partisan

Dainty

Mythical

Realistic

Obese

Correct answer:

Partisan

Explanation:

A “bigot” is a person who hates, or refuses to accept, the members of a particular group. If you are “partisan,” similar to a “bigot,” you are one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance. To help you, do not confuse the word with “big” or “bigfoot.”  "Obese" means very fat; "dainty" means delicate; "mythical" means sourced from myth and legend, probably not true.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms

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

ANTAGONIST

Possible Answers:

Supervisor

Ally 

Comrade

Follower

Opponent

Correct answer:

Opponent

Explanation:

"Antagonist" is defined as an adversary, rival, or foe. Of the answer choices, "opponent" has the closest meaning.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms

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

BARD

Possible Answers:

Craftsman

Mayor

Sharp

Poet

Witty

Correct answer:

Poet

Explanation:

A "bard" is a poet.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

Professional

Possible Answers:

Expert

Counselor

Leader

Beginner

Novice

Correct answer:

Expert

Explanation:

A "professional" is an expert in something.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PROTAGONIST

Possible Answers:

Damsel 

Villain 

Hero 

Actor 

Director 

Correct answer:

Hero 

Explanation:

The "protagonist" of a story is the hero, so "hero" is the correct answer. For clarification, a "damsel" is a girl or a young woman, often one who is rescued in a story.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

NOVICE

Possible Answers:

Supercilious

Incumbent

Expert 

Beginner

Replacement 

Correct answer:

Beginner

Explanation:

A "novice" is someone who is a beginner. This is opposite in meaning to an "expert," which means a professional, someone who knows a lot about a subject, or someone who has done an activity for a long time and is very good at it. For clarification, "incumbent" means a person currently holding a political office, and "supercilious" means arrogant or condescending.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

MAGNATE

Possible Answers:

Commuter

Windfall

Lodestone

Tycoon

Resident

Correct answer:

Tycoon

Explanation:

"Magnate" is a noun that means "a person who has great wealth and power in a particular business or industry," so we need to find another word that means something like "a person who has power in a certain industry." While "magnate" may sound like "magnet" and "lodestone" is a synonym of "magnet," "magnet" does not mean the same thing as "magnate," so it can't be the correct answer. "Tycoon," however, means "a very wealthy and powerful business person," and since its meaning is closest to "magnate" of the given answer choices, "tycoon" is the correct answer.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Nouns

Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.

Vagabond

Possible Answers:

Wanderer

Loan

Extension

Fitness

Trespasser

Correct answer:

Wanderer

Explanation:

A "vagabond" is a wanderer. The Latin root word, "vagari," means to roam.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PHYSICIAN

Possible Answers:

Henchman

Doctor

Rascal

Queen

Churl

Correct answer:

Doctor

Explanation:

"Physician" means "a doctor."

"Henchman" means a ruthless subordinate, usually a criminal.

"Rascal" means a dishonest or unscrupulous person.

"Churl" means someone who is rude and surly.

"Queen" is a female monarch.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

RUFFIAN

Possible Answers:

Spectator

Pontiff

Cherub

Hoodlum

Scribe

Correct answer:

Hoodlum

Explanation:

A "ruffian" is a "hoodlum," a troublemaker or a delinquent.

None of the other words are synonymous with ruffian:

"Spectator" means a bystander or someone who views an event or a spectacle.

"Pontiff" means the pope, or the leader of the Catholic Church.

A "scribe" is someone who makes hand-written copies of texts. Scribes still exist, but were more common in the time before the printing press was invented.

A "cherub" is a very cute baby, or a chubby angel child with wings.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors