SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ELICIT

Possible Answers:

put in

never mention

draw out

forget

consume

Correct answer:

draw out

Explanation:

Elicit means to draw out.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

A synonym of "behoove" is __________.

Possible Answers:

be proper for

be similar to

reveal

be different from

decorous

Correct answer:

be proper for

Explanation:

"Behoove" is a verb that means "to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for," so we need to pick out another word or phrase that has a similar meaning. While "decorous" might look like a good answer choice because "decorous" means "proper," "decorous" is an adjective while "behoove" is a verb, so "decorous" cannot be the correct answer. Because "be proper for" is closest in meaning to "behoove" of the given answer choices, "be proper for" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

A synonym of "dovetail" is __________.

Possible Answers:

part

harmonize

combine

explore

disentangle

Correct answer:

harmonize

Explanation:

"Dovetail" is a verb that means "to fit together in a pleasing or satisfying way," so we need to pick out another word that means "to fit together well." While "combine" means "unite" or "merge," it does not include the positive connotation that "dovetail" does in that "merge" does not necessarily entail two things combining "in a pleasing or satisfying way." "Harmonize," however, besides meaning "to play or sing different musical notes that sound pleasing together," also means "to be combined or go together in a pleasing way." Because "harmonize" not only means "combine" but also includes the positive connotation of "in a pleasing way," "harmonize" is the best answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

Dispute

Possible Answers:

Economy

Battle

Argument

Residence

Harmony

Correct answer:

Argument

Explanation:

"Dispute" means argument.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

Participate

Possible Answers:

to reveal

to convince

to partake

to inquire

to select

Correct answer:

to partake

Explanation:

"Participate" means to partake or take part in; to reveal means to disclose something secretive; to select means to choose; to inquire means to ask or question; and to convince is to change a person's opinon.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

Aid

Possible Answers:

to attack

to defeat

to help

to complain

to stop

Correct answer:

to help

Explanation:

"Aid" means to help.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

Affect

Possible Answers:

to believe

to achieve

to work with

to ensure

to influence

Correct answer:

to influence

Explanation:

"Affect" means to impact or influence.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

DISCRIMINATE

Possible Answers:

Reject

Differentiate

Spite

Blend

Excuse

Correct answer:

Differentiate

Explanation:

"Discriminate" means differentiate or make a biased decision about how you treat a group or a member of that group, so "differentiate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ASSAIL

Possible Answers:

Defend 

Abandon 

Portend 

Attack 

Jest 

Correct answer:

Attack 

Explanation:

To "assail" something is to attack it. You will most often hear it in expressions such as "the army assailed their opponent’s position." For clarification, "abandon" means to throw away; "jest" means joke; "portend" means foreshadow or warn.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

SHRIEK

Possible Answers:

Decrease

Question

Dispute

Scream

Silence

Correct answer:

Scream

Explanation:

"Shriek" means scream. "Silence" to make or become quiet. "Question" means interrogate. "Dispute" means debate or discuss. "Decrease" means lessen.

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