SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #921 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "course" is __________.

Possible Answers:

track

absentminded

pause

verify

cleanliness

Correct answer:

track

Explanation:

"Course" is a word that can take on a variety of meanings. As a verb, "course" means "move without obstruction; flow" when used of a liquid. As a noun, "course" has many different meanings, including "the route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road, or river," "the way in which something progresses or develops," "an area of land set aside and prepared for racing, golf, or another sport," "a dish, or a set of dishes served together, forming one of the successive parts of a meal," or "a series of lectures or lessons in a particular subject, typically leading to a qualification." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something similar to "route," "the way in which something progresses," "a dish or set of dishes served together," or "a series of lessons in a particular subject." "Track" is a word which as a noun can mean "a rough path or minor road, typically one beaten by use rather than constructed" or "a prepared course or circuit for athletes, horses, motor vehicles, bicycles, or dogs to race on"; "track" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "course," so "track" is the correct answer.

Example Question #135 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "dispel" is __________.

Possible Answers:

banish

mediate

appropriate

peruse

meander

Correct answer:

banish

Explanation:

"Dispel" is a verb that means "make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "make something disappear." So, "appropriate" cannot be the correct answer because "appropriate" means "take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission," not "make something disappear." "Banish," however, is a verb that means "forbid, abolish, or get rid of (something unwanted)," and because "banish" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "dispel," "banish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #136 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of “garner” is __________.

Possible Answers:

fool

gather

disperse

miss

enjoy

Correct answer:

gather

Explanation:

“Garner” is a verb that means “gather or collect (something, especially information or approval),” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “gather.” That means that “disperse” cannot be the correct answer, because “disperse” means “distribute or spread over a wide area,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “garner.” “Gather,” however, is a verb that can mean either “come together; assemble or accumulate” or “bring together and take in from scattered places or sources.” Because “gather” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “garner,” “gather” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1725 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Synonyms: Select the words that are most similar in meaning.

Augment

Possible Answers:

Hasten

Enlarge

Customize

Censure

Certify

Correct answer:

Enlarge

Explanation:

To "augment" is to make bigger. Thus, the best answer choice is the word "enlarge."

Example Question #1726 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.

Abscond

Possible Answers:

Practice

Depart

Estimate

Amplify

Nourish

Correct answer:

Depart

Explanation:

To "abscond" is to depart quickly and secretly.

Example Question #137 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of “veer” is __________.

Possible Answers:

march

oggle

juggle

continue

swerve

Correct answer:

swerve

Explanation:

“Veer” is a verb that can mean “to change direction suddenly” or “suddenly change an opinion or manner of acting,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “change direction suddenly” or “change an opinion or subject.” That means that “continue” cannot be the correct answer, because “continue” can mean “carry on traveling in the same direction,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “veer.” “Swerve,” however, is a verb that means “change direction abruptly,” and because “swerve” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “veer,” “swerve” is the correct answer.

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

Integrate

Possible Answers:

to combine

to construct

to convert

to separate

to distinguish

Correct answer:

to combine

Explanation:

"Integrate" means to put together or combine.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

Remain

Possible Answers:

to increase

to stay

to free

to combine

to depart

Correct answer:

to stay

Explanation:

"Remain" means to stay.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

Burrow

Possible Answers:

to exercise

to play

to protect

to dig

to explore

Correct answer:

to dig

Explanation:

"Burrow" means to dig.

Example Question #144 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

Preserve

Possible Answers:

to conserve

to destroy

to discover

to create

to replace

Correct answer:

to conserve

Explanation:

"Preserve" means to conserve.

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