SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1001 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROCRASTINATE

Possible Answers:

Lie

Bolster

Uproot

Study

Delay

Correct answer:

Delay

Explanation:

The verb "procrastinate" means to delay doing something, to stop doing what one is supposed to be doing and do something distracting. Additionally, "bolster" means reinforce, support, strengthen; "uproot" means force to move from one location to another.

Example Question #1002 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MUSTER

Possible Answers:

Eradicate

Gather

Allude

Deceive

Possess

Correct answer:

Gather

Explanation:

The verb "muster" means to gather, compile, assemble, bring together. Additionally, "allude" means hint at, suggest; "eradicate" means completely destroy; "deceive" means lie to and trick; "possess" means own, have.

Example Question #1003 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRUNCATE

Possible Answers:

Dance

Elongate

Move

Shorten

Supplant

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

The verb "truncate" means to shorten something, to make something shorter by finishing it early. Additionally, "elongate" means make or become longer; "supplant" means replace, take over from.

Example Question #1004 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CULTIVATE

Possible Answers:

Mend

Send

Bend

Lend

Tend

Correct answer:

Tend

Explanation:

The verb "cultivate" is generally used to refer to tending one's crops, preparing one's land for the growth of crops and attending to those crops. It can also mean simply to "tend" to something more generally, like "I am trying to cultivate a better work ethic." Additionally, "lend" means allow someone to borrow and "mend" means fix, repair.

Example Question #1005 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JEOPARDIZE

Possible Answers:

Indict

Pelt

Mar

Linger

Endanger

Correct answer:

Endanger

Explanation:

The verb "jeopardize" means endanger, to put someone in danger due to your actions. Additionally, "mar" means spoil, ruin; "linger" means hesitate, remain behind after others have left; "pelt" means throw things at with force; "indict" means formally accuse of committing a crime or other misdeed.

Example Question #1006 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COAGULATE

Possible Answers:

Saturate

Steep

Form a clot

Evaporate

Imbue

Correct answer:

Form a clot

Explanation:

"Coagulate" means to "form a clot," such as when blood dries, or when a liquid congeals into a semi-solid state.

"Evaporate" means to disappear or to melt; in science it means liquid becoming gas, such as when water evaporates and becomes steam.

"Saturate" means to soak, to get very wet or to douse.

"Steep" means to bathe something in liquid, to soak, to submerge in liquid.

"Imbue" means to infuse, to saturate or to ingrain something upon something else.

Example Question #1007 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEDDLE

Possible Answers:

Purchase

Bike

Paddle

Sell door to door

Produce

Correct answer:

Sell door to door

Explanation:

"Peddle" means to "sell door to door," to hawk goods, to solicit goods.

"Purchase" means to buy, or to exchange money for something.

"Produce" means to create something, to make or to assemble something.

"Paddle" means to move using oars or paddles, to row. This answer is meant to show the difference in spelling and meaning between "peddle" and "paddle."

"Bike" means to use a bicycle to transport oneself; to pedal on a bicycle. This answer is meant to trick the student if "peddle" was misread as "paddle."

 

Example Question #1008 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MEANDER

Possible Answers:

March

Sprint

Crawl

Wander

Escort

Correct answer:

Wander

Explanation:

"Meander" means to "wander" or to zigzag, to walk slowly and not in a straight line.

"Sprint" means to run at full speed.

"Crawl" means to move slowly, or to move on one's hands and feet as an infant does.

To "march" is to walk in a uniform way, or to walk in a deliberate, ordered way.

"Escort" means to accompany something as a guard, to guide or protect someone along a journey.

Example Question #1009 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABSCOND

Possible Answers:

Delve

Enumerate

Abet

Flee

Inculcate

Correct answer:

Flee

Explanation:

"Abscond" means run away, depart secretly, "flee."

"Inculcate" is to teach someone by repeating something over and over, to impart knowledge, to infuse someone with knowledge.

"Abet" means to aid or assist someone, particularly with a crime.

"Enumerate" means to list one by one, to name, to count.

"Delve" means to dig into something, to explore, to inquire.

Example Question #1010 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOSTLE

Possible Answers:

Push

Sneak 

Bypass

Crawl 

Run

Correct answer:

Push

Explanation:

The correct answer is "push."

"Jostle" is a verb that means to push (or bump) against others (people) in a rough manner. Running into someone might "jostle" them, but this is not a necessary result of running.

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