SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2055 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

pious 

righteous 

wicked 

desirable

dormant 

Correct answer:

wicked 

Explanation:

"Malevolent" means wicked or evil; it is the antonym of benevolent. For clarification, "pious" means deeply religious; "dormant" means asleep or in a state of inactivity.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots

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

Agriculture

Possible Answers:

Agreement

Opportunity

Explanation

Observation

Farming

Correct answer:

Farming

Explanation:

"Agriculture" means farming.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Roots

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

Numerous

Possible Answers:

Many

Few

None

Fluid

Scarce

Correct answer:

Many

Explanation:

"Numerous" means many, or a lot of.

Example Question #2056 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Curse

Blessing

Degradation

Malediction

Disparagement

Correct answer:

Blessing

Explanation:

The Latin root "bene" means good. If you know that, then you should be able to figure out that "blessing" and "benediction" are synonyms. The Latin root "mal" means bad, and "malediction" and "curse" are synonyms. "Disparagement" and "degradation" are synonyms that each mean abasement.

Example Question #1271 : Synonyms

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Amenable 

Serene

Affable

Tranquil

Militant

Correct answer:

Militant

Explanation:

"Bellicose" means eager to fight. "Amenable" and "affable" mean agreeable and likable, respectively. You can eliminate them because they have such similar meanings. "Tranquil" and "serene" both mean peaceful, so you can eliminate them. Or, if you know that the Latin root "belli-" means war, you may be able to figure out that "bellicose" means war-like. "Militant" means aggressive, therefore it has the closest meaning to "bellicose."

Example Question #1272 : Synonyms

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

Join

Shrink

Oppose

Enter

Fall

Correct answer:

Join

Explanation:

“Coalesce” means come together. It is helpful to remember that the prefix "co-" often means together or joined as in "cooperation" or "cofounded."

Example Question #1273 : Synonyms

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

OMNIVOROUS

Possible Answers:

All-knowing 

All-fearing 

All-seeing

All-encompassing

All-eating

Correct answer:

All-eating

Explanation:

An animal which is “omnivorous” is an animal that eats both other animals and plants. To help, "omni-" usually means all when it is used as a prefix. From this, we can tell that “omnivorous” means all-eating or all-devouring. "Encompassing” means including or covering, so it is wrong. If you are all-knowing you are said to be “omniscient.” 

Example Question #1274 : Synonyms

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

DIALECT

Possible Answers:

Word 

Speech 

Idiom 

Lesson 

Conversation 

Correct answer:

Idiom 

Explanation:

A “dialect” is non standard speech or speech that is specific to a region. People from New York and Kentucky may speak different “dialects.” A similar word to “dialect,” is “idiom” which refers to words and phrases informally used in particular places. Try not to mistake “dialect” for “dialogue,” which means a conversation between two or more people. Remember that the prefix "dia-" generally means across and that "lect," whether used as a prefix or suffix, refers to “speech,” such as in the word "lecture."

Example Question #1275 : Synonyms

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

SYNONYMOUS

Possible Answers:

Somber

Interesting

Different

Loud

Equivalent

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

"Synonymous" means expressing or implying the same idea; having the character of a synonym. "Equivalent" is the best answer choice, as it means equal or the same.

Example Question #1276 : Synonyms

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Dull

Lethargic

Affable

Bright

Enraged

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

The best answer choice is "bright." The definition of "luminous" is radiating or reflecting light. This can be derived from the definition of "illuminate," which means to brighten or light up. 

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