SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Rancid is to putrid as restitution is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Compensation 

Combustion 

Competition

Composition

Conflagration 

Correct answer:

Compensation 

Explanation:

Rancid and putrid are synonyms that both mean gross or disgusting. So to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for restitution. Restitution is compensation for something lost or taken away. For clarification, conflagration refers to an inferno; combustion is the process by which something is ignited; composition is a work of art.

Example Question #144 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Retract is to withdraw as redact is to _________.

Possible Answers:

Rejoice 

Allow 

Create 

Edit 

Ignite 

Correct answer:

Edit 

Explanation:

Retract is a synonym for withdraw, so to solve this analogy you need to determine the best available synonym for redact. Redact means to edit.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Scurrilous is to vulgar as scathing is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Madness

Critical 

Kind 

Humorous 

Friendly 

Correct answer:

Critical 

Explanation:

Scurrilous is a synonym of vulgar: both words mean rude and crude. So to solve this analogy, you have to identify the best available synonym for scathing. Scathing means critical and harsh.

Example Question #145 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Seminal is to original as elucidate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Clarify 

Assuage 

Pacify 

Mollify 

Calm 

Correct answer:

Clarify 

Explanation:

Seminal is a synonym of original, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for elucidate. To elucidate something is to clarify or make clear. For clarification, mollify, assuage, pacify, and calm are all synonyms of one another.

Example Question #146 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Meritorious is to praiseworthy as munificent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Generous 

Placid 

Suggestive 

Frigid 

Haughty 

Correct answer:

Generous 

Explanation:

Meritorious and praiseworthy are synonyms that both mean deserving of praise or admiration. So to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym for munificent. Munificent means very generous. For clarification, haughty means proud and arrogant; placid means peaceful or easy-going; frigid means very cold.

Example Question #151 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Plethora is to abundance as scarcity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Excess

Dearth 

Surplus 

Glut 

Surfeit 

Correct answer:

Dearth 

Explanation:

Plethora and abundance are synonyms that both describe the quality of having enough, or too much, of something. Scarcity is an antonym of plethora and describes the quality of not having enough of something or the rarity of something. To solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for scarcity. The correct answer is “dearth,” which means lack. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all synonyms of plethora and abundance.

Example Question #152 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Accommodating is to helpful as capricious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Dismissive 

Impulsive

Miserly 

Unfair

Critical 

Correct answer:

Impulsive

Explanation:

Accommodating is a synonym for helpful, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for capricious. Capricious means unpredictable and impulsive. For clarification, impulsive is defined as acting on a whim; miserly means not generous with money.

Example Question #153 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Zealous is to joyous as mottled is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sad

spotted

kind

hidden

confused

Correct answer:

spotted

Explanation:

The best choice is "spotted." The relationship between "zealous" and "joyous" is that they are synonyms. Therefore, we need to look for a synonym of the word "mottled," which means spotted. "Spotted" is the best answer as it is part of the definition of the word "mottled."

Example Question #274 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Strike is to buffet as scold is to __________.

Possible Answers:

relay

censure

apologize

carry

warn

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

The best choice is "censure." The relationship between "strike" and "buffet" is that they are synonyms. "Buffet" means to strike harshly and repeatedly. In this sense, it is also possible to say that "buffet" is an increased degree of the word "strike." The only word that fits properly is "censure" as it means to disapprove harshly when used as a verb or criticism when it is used as a noun, and the meaning of "scold" is to criticize angrily.

Example Question #275 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Trite is to unoriginal as __________.

Possible Answers:

wanton is to carefree

bag is to carry

heavy is to ethereal

nebulous is to clear

tacit is to unclear

Correct answer:

wanton is to carefree

Explanation:

The best choice is "wanton is to carefree." The relationship between "trite" and "unoriginal" is that they are synonyms. "Trite" means unoriginal. Likewise, the word "wanton" means carefree. Considering the other options, the relationship in "bag is to carry" is noun and an action you do with it. The remaining choices are all antonyms.

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