SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LEGITIMATE

Possible Answers:

Lawful

Illegal

Lucid

Decisive

Costly

Correct answer:

Lawful

Explanation:

"Legitimate" is a word that can be used as either a verb or an adjective, but because all of the potential answer choices are adjectives, we will need to consider "legitimate" as an adjective. When used as an adjective, "legitimate" means allowed by the law or rules, so "lawful," which means legal or authorized, is the correct answer. "Illegal" is an antonym of "legitimate" and "lawful"; it means unlawful and in violation of the rules. None of the other answers have meanings related to that of "legitimate": "decisive" means conclusive or crucial; "lucid" means clear; and "costly" means expensive.

Example Question #222 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SIGNIFICANCE

Possible Answers:

Exile

Importance

Necessity

Hatred

Connection

Correct answer:

Importance

Explanation:

"Significance" means importance, so "importance" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "significance": "connection" means a relationship or link between two people, ideas, or things; "hatred" means extreme dislike or ill-will; "necessity" is something that is required or needed; and "exile" means someone who has been expelled from their home country and is not allowed to return.

Example Question #223 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MAGNITUDE

Possible Answers:

Garden

Morality

Swiftness

Size

Goal

Correct answer:

Size

Explanation:

"Magnitude" means size or extent. "Morality" means ethics that distinguish between what is right and wrong. "Swiftness" means quickness or agility. "Goal" means objective or target. A "garden" is a patch of land where plants and food are grown.

Example Question #224 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VOCATION

Possible Answers:

Occupation

Adage

Diversion

Income

Vacation

Correct answer:

Occupation

Explanation:

Since "vocation" is a job, we need to pick out another word that means "job." While "vocation" looks like "vacation," the two words have very different meanings, so "vacation" cannot be the correct answer. Similarly, "income" refers to money that is earned from a job, but not the job itself, so it isn't the correct answer either. "Occupation," however, means profession, and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "vocation," "occupation" is the correct answer.

Example Question #223 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Expansion

Possible Answers:

Protection

Role

Growth

Infection

Purpose

Correct answer:

Growth

Explanation:

"Expansion" means growth.

Example Question #226 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

Festival

Possible Answers:

Vehicle

Competition

Celebration

Dinner

Shopping Center

Correct answer:

Celebration

Explanation:

"Festival" means celebration.

Example Question #225 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADMISSION

Possible Answers:

Pause

Confession

Council

Destination

Opinion

Correct answer:

Confession

Explanation:

An "admission" is a confession. "Destination" means the end of a journey. "Council" is a decision-making body. "Opinion" is a person's viewpoint. "Pause" means a temporary stop or break.

Example Question #226 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTERPRETATION

Possible Answers:

Winter

Explanation

Bribery

Memory

Company

Correct answer:

Explanation

Explanation:

"Interpretation" means the explanation of an idea, concept, or viewpoint, so "explanation" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "interpretation": "bribery" is the act of giving money to an official in order to influence a government decision; "memory" is an event or activity in the past that a person remembers; "winter" is the season of the year in which the coldest weather is experienced; and "company" is a business or a commercial institution.

Example Question #227 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

CONTEMPLATION

Possible Answers:

Recklessness

Reflection

Interest

Incision

Bond

Correct answer:

Reflection

Explanation:

The definition of "contemplation," the noun form of "contemplate," is deep consideration or thoughtful observation. "Reflection" is the best answer choice, as it means deep thought.

Example Question #228 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

EXPOSURE

Possible Answers:

Interest

Tear

Brightening

Examine

Disclosure

Correct answer:

Disclosure

Explanation:

"Disclosure," the noun form of "disclose," is the correct answer. "Exposure" and "disclosure" both mean the act of revealing or making known.

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