SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PAUPER

Possible Answers:

Beggar

Dandy

Clique

Oligarch

Philanthropist

Correct answer:

Beggar

Explanation:

"Pauper" means a "beggar" or someone who is very poor.

"Dandy" means a foolish person or it means a man who is excessively concerned about his appearance and clothes.

"Philanthropist" means a charitable person, someone who donates money, a wealthy person who gives away money.

"Oligarch" is a dictator, a boss, or a tyrant.

"Clique" means a group of friends, an exclusive group of people, a clan.

Example Question #31 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VASSAL

Possible Answers:

Zealot

Theologian

Rogue

Slave

Vendor

Correct answer:

Slave

Explanation:

"Vassal" means "slave" or servant; originally the word meant someone who pledges fealty to a lord under the Feudal system.

"Rogue" means a criminal, a deceitful person, a con-artist, a villain.

"Zealot" means someone who is extremely enthusiastic about a belief; a fanatic or an extremist.

"Vendor" means someone who sells goods, a merchant, a peddler.

"Theologian" is a religious official or a philosopher of religion

Example Question #32 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMMOTION

Possible Answers:

Celebration 

Movement 

Disturbance 

Delay 

Peace

Correct answer:

Disturbance 

Explanation:

The correct answer is "disturbance." 

"Commotion" is a noun that means a state that is characterized by confusion and rowdy disturbance

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

A synonym of "labyrinth" is __________.

Possible Answers:

circle

bridge

maze

puzzle

tower

Correct answer:

maze

Explanation:

"Labyrinth" is a noun that means "a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a complicated network of passages." While "puzzle" may look like a potentially correct answer, "puzzle" as a noun means "a game, toy, or problem designed to test ingenuity or knowledge," not necessarily a "complicated network of passages," so "puzzle" cannot be the correct answer. A "maze," however, is defined either as "a network of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which one has to find a way," " a complex network of paths or passages," or "a confusing mass of information," and because the second definition of "maze" is very close to the definition of "labyrinth," "maze" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

A synonym of “particle” is __________.

Possible Answers:

dust

pile

matter

speck

air

Correct answer:

speck

Explanation:

“Particle” is a noun that means “a minute portion of matter,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a minute portion of matter.” That means that “pile” cannot be the correct answer, because “pile” means “a heap of things laid or lying one on top of another,” and “particle” is specifically only one thing. “Speck,” however, is a noun that can mean “a tiny spot” or “a small particle of a substance,” and because “speck” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “particle,” “speck” is the correct answer.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms

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

Labyrinth

Possible Answers:

History

Officer

Maze

Ridicule

Impulse

Correct answer:

Maze

Explanation:

A "labyrinth" is a difficult maze

 

 

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Tableau

Possible Answers:

Update

Control

Furniture

Innocence

Picture

Correct answer:

Picture

Explanation:

A "tableau" is a picture, as of a scene.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Caravan

Possible Answers:

Religion

Excavation

Convoy

Generator

Locomotive

Correct answer:

Convoy

Explanation:

"Caravan" is a convoy; Religion is set of beliefs and rituals; Generator produces energy; Locomotive is a train; and Excavation means digging up.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Fluid

Possible Answers:

Sermon

Liquid

Terrain

Century

Chorus

Correct answer:

Liquid

Explanation:

"Fluid" means liquid; Chorus means a group of singers; Sermon means religious speech; Terrain usually refers to land or landscape; and Century means one hundred years.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Dwelling

Possible Answers:

Alliance

Home

Standard

Exhaustion

Dehydration

Correct answer:

Home

Explanation:

"Dwelling" means home; Alliance means a group of countries who have a formal treaty to work together; Standard means common form; Exhaustion means tired; and Dehydrated means thirsty.

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