SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TINCTURE

Possible Answers:

Prong

Medicine

Parasite

Metallic

Small

Correct answer:

Medicine

Explanation:

“Tincture” is an old word for a “medicine” that is made of a drug mixed with alcohol. It is related to the words “tinge” and “tint.” So it is a solution of clear alcohol tinted with the color of the “medicine.” Do not confuse it with “tiny,” “tin,” or “ting,” meaning prong.

Example Question #62 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VISAGE

Possible Answers:

Trajectory

Unification

Management

Face

Joy

Correct answer:

Face

Explanation:

"Visage" means face or facial expression. The Latin root word "visus" means appearance.

Example Question #63 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENTRAILS

Possible Answers:

Lag behind

Plead

Brains

Intestines

Carry

Correct answer:

Intestines

Explanation:

"Entrails" are the organs of an animal, particularly the intestines. Other synonyms would be "innards," "viscera," or "guts." "Entrails" are specifically "intestinal," not related to the "brain."

Example Question #64 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HOSIERY

Possible Answers:

Stockings

Pipe

Drain

Conduit

Deliberately

Correct answer:

Stockings

Explanation:

"Hosiery" is another word for stockings, pantyhose, or, in some cultures, underwear. You might see "hosiery" used to refer to the section of a department store that contains "stockings." "Drain," "pipe," and "conduit" are all trying to trick you into thinking the word is related to a "hose," which it is not.

Example Question #65 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABYSS

Possible Answers:

Hill

A vast chasm

Pinnacle

Crag

Gulf

Correct answer:

A vast chasm

Explanation:

"Abyss" means "a vast chasm" or a deep, immeasurable space.

"Hill" means a small natural elevation of the earth's surface.

"Crag" means a steep, broken patch of rock.

"Gulf" means a portion of ocean or sea partly enclosed by land.

"Pinnacle" means the highest peak.

Example Question #66 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GARNISH

Possible Answers:

Incentive

Decoration

Heretic

Food

Idiom

Correct answer:

Decoration

Explanation:

"Garnish" is a noun that means "decoration" or an embellishment of some kind.

None of the other words are synonymous with garnish.

"Incentive" means motivation or the thing that encourages you; for example, the incentive to work is getting paid money.

"Idiom" is a specific manner of speaking or a local dialect of a language.

"Heretic" is a person who believes in a different religion than the societally acceptable religion, also called a dissenter or a nonconformist.

"Food "is simply the substances that we eat that nourish us.

Example Question #67 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RENDEZVOUS 

Possible Answers:

Divergence

Meeting place 

Creed

Sommelier

Bistro 

Correct answer:

Meeting place 

Explanation:

A "rendezvous" is a place where parties agree to meet at a specified time. A "bistro" is a lunchtime coffee and food spot. A "sommelier" is a wine expert.

Example Question #68 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FAUNA

Possible Answers:

Gulls

Plants

Reptiles

Animals

Cellular

Correct answer:

Animals

Explanation:

"Fauna" means "animals," typically all of the animals in an ecosystem.

"Gulls" are a type of seabird. Gulls are a type of fauna but gulls is not a synonym for fauna.

"Reptiles" are a group of four legged animals such as lizards and turtles. Reptiles are a type of fauna, but reptile is not a synonym for fauna.

"Cellular" means a form of life composed of single cells, or forms of life contained in membranes

"Plants" are a type of life that gains its energy through photosynthesis; plants are not fauna, but rather flora.

Example Question #69 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CARCASS

Possible Answers:

Leaflet

Tomb

Cudgel

Awning

Corpse

Correct answer:

Corpse

Explanation:

"Carcass" means a "corpse" or a dead body.

"Cudgel" means a large, knotty club, typically made from wood.

"Tomb" means a burial place or a grave. Typically a tomb is more than a gravestone, such as a memorial or a mausoleum.

"Leaflet" means a small booklet or a brochure.

"Awning" means a covering or a canopy, such as the roof that would cover a porch.

Example Question #70 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONCRETE

Possible Answers:

Conceptual

Immaterial

Material

Ethereal

Abstract

Correct answer:

Material

Explanation:

"Concrete" and "material" are used to describe things which exist in material reality. The other words are used to describe "abstractions" or things which exist conceptually.

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