All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
REITERATE
scold
pardon
rectify
reply
repeat
repeat
"Reiterate" means to repeat, as in something said.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "decry" is __________.
compliment
manage
spy
eat
disparage
disparage
"Decry" is a verb that means "publicly denounce," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "denounce." So, "compliment" cannot be the correct answer because "compliment" is an antonym of "decry," not a synonym. "Disparage," however, is a verb that means "regard or represent as being of little worth," and because "disparage" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "decry," "disparage" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "purport" is __________.
run
exist
impersonate
expose
languish
impersonate
"Purport" is a word that can be used as either a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider "purport" as a verb. When used as a verb, "purport" means "appear or claim to be or do something, especially falsely; profess." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "appear to be something, especially falsely." "Expose," then, cannot be the correct answer, because while one might expose the true qualities of someone falsely purporting to have other qualities, "expose" does not mean the same thing as "purport." "Impersonate," however, is a verb that means "pretend to be (another person) as entertainment or in order to deceive someone," and because "impersonate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "purport," "impersonate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs
A synonym of “specify” is __________.
munch
suggest
designate
kick
generalize
designate
“Specify” is a verb that means “identify clearly and definitely,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “identify clearly.” That means that “generalize” cannot be the correct answer, because “make general or broad statement by inferring from specific cases,” a meaning very distant from that of “specify.” “Designate,” however, is a verb that can mean “ signify; indicate,” and because “designate” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “specify,” “designate” is the correct answer.
Example Question #811 : Synonyms
A synonym of “blather” is __________.
investigate
explain
contest
prattle
manage
prattle
“Blather” is a word that when used as a verb, means “to talk long-windedly without making sense,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “talk longwindedly without making sense.” That means that “explain” cannot be the correct answer, because “explain” can mean “to make something clear to someone by describing it in detail,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “blather.” “Prattle,” however, when used as a verb, means “talk at length in a foolish way,” and because “prattle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “blather,” “prattle” is the correct answer.
Example Question #812 : Synonyms
A synonym of “tattle” is __________.
press
experience
define
expound
inform on
inform on
“Tattle” is a verb that can mean “to report another’s wrongdoing” or “to gossip,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “to report another’s wrongdoing” or “to gossip.” That means that “expound” cannot be the correct answer, because “expound” means “present and explain something in detail,” which is quite distant from that of “tattle.” “Inform on,” however, is a phrase that means “give information about someone to the police,” and because “inform on” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “tattle,” “inform on” is the correct answer.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs
Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.
Succumb
Surrender
Belong
Repress
Plant
Display
Surrender
To "succumb" is to give in to a superior force. The best answer choice is the word "surrender."
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Verbs
Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.
Pique
Overthrow
Court
Offend
Reciprocate
Strive
Offend
To "pique" is to offend or to excite. This is from the Latin root word, "piccare," which means to pick.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.
Presume
to monitor
to assume
to discover
to reside
to regulate
to assume
"Presume" means to assume.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs
Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.
Oppress
to produce
to disgrace
To tyrannize
to lose
to consent
To tyrannize
"Oppress" means to tyrannize or rule with an iron fist.
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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
