All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SEETHE
Inhabit
Repudiate
Anger
Dispatch
Simmer
Simmer
"Seethe" is a verb that when used of liquids, means "bubble up as a result of being boiled," and when used of people, "be filled with intense but unexpressed anger." Since none of the answer choices appear to mean "bubble up" or "boil," we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "be filled with unexpressed anger." "Anger" might look like the best answer choice, but as a verb, it means "make angry"; since its meaning isn't that close to "seethe," it can't be the correct answer. "Simmer," a verb which can mean "be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement," is the best answer choice and the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "seethe."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BADGER
Desire
Angry
Premeditated
Pester
Unlimited
Pester
A "badger" is an animal, similar to a skunk, but much larger and with a very bad temper. The word "badger" can also be used as an adjective meaning to pester or bother. An example is, "Sam's mother continued to badger him about picking up his clothes."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BALE
Throw
Wet
Bundle
Suitcase
Indifferent
Bundle
Spelled this way, "bale" is a noun meaning a bundle prepared for transportation or storage. It is often associated with hay or cotton. For instance, "The groom spread another bale of hay over the floor of the horse's stall." Spelled "bail," this word is a verb with multiple meanings.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VOLATILE
Loathsome
Memorable
Terrifying
Static
Erratic
Erratic
"Volatile" is an adjective with two meanings. Here, "volatile" means erratic or liable to change unpredictably. The second definition of "volatile" is scientific, and means evaporates at room temperature.
"Static" means not moving or changing. "Memorable" means able to be remembered. "Terrifying" means causes extreme fear. "Loathsome" means hateful or repulsive.
Example Question #1941 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PALLETE
Scribble
Author
Taste
Inscribe
Pen
Taste
The word "pallete" can be used in statements about people's sense of taste. The other words may be slightly related to the word pallete, but the meanings in this sense would not be close enough to call them synonymous.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRESS
Media
Politician
Freedom
Criminal
Conspiracy
Media
The "press" and the "media" can both refer to journalists as a group. The other nouns do not have directly related meanings and are not synonymous with "press," but are topics often covered by the "press."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POLICE
Cheat
Oversee
Lie
Imprison
Punish
Oversee
The verbs "police"—yes, the word "police" can be used as a verb too—and "oversee" are synonymous. The other words ("imprison," "punish," "lie," etc.) might have indirectly related meanings, but they are not synonymous with "police" when used as a verb.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BLEMISH
Purify
Hurt
Cleanse
Ruin
Clean
Ruin
"Blemish," means to spoil the appearance of (something). The term ruin is a synonym of "blemish," making it the correct answer. "Purify" means to remove contaminants from. The word "hurt" means to cause physical harm or injury. The terms "cleanse" and "clean" are defined similarly; to make (something) thoroughly clean/free from dirt.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSESS
Charge
Cancel
Fix
Find
Bring
Charge
The verb "assess" usually means to evaluate, to judge the nature of something, to decide what one thinks of something. However, it also has a second common meaning which is to charge. So, to be "assessed repairs" is to be charged for repairs.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FANCY
Multitude
Coincidence
Esteem
Liking
Phantom
Liking
"Fancy" can be an adjective meaning elaborate and decorative. "Fancy" can also be a noun meaning taste or inclination. With this second definition in mind, liking is a synonym and therefore the correct answer.
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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
