SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VAGABOND

Possible Answers:

Wanderer

Outlaw

Dancer

Interpreter

Medic

Correct answer:

Wanderer

Explanation:

A "vagabond" is someone who wanders restlessly or aimlessly. A "medic" is someone who provides medical care, often in battles or emergency situations. An "interpreter" is someone who translates languages for people. An "outlaw" is a criminal, someone who must live outside of society because he/she is on the run from the law.

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MERCENARY

Possible Answers:

Hired actor

Traveling salesperson

Vendor

Hired soldier

Writer

Correct answer:

Hired soldier

Explanation:

A "mercenary" is a hired soldier, a person who fights for pay. "Vendor" is a synonym for "salesperson," someone who sells something. Just as you would guess, a "writer" writes and an "actor" acts.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TYRO

Possible Answers:

Wraith

Entrepreneur

Beginner

Artisan

Fool

Correct answer:

Beginner

Explanation:

A "tyro" is a novice. An "artisan" is a craftsperson, similar to but distinct from an "artist." An "entrepreneur" is a businessperson. A "wraith" is a ghost or phantom. A "fool" is someone silly or ignorant.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ITINERANT

Possible Answers:

Host

Witness

Recipient

Guest

Wanderer

Correct answer:

Wanderer

Explanation:

An "itinerant" is someone who wanders and drifts without a fixed home; a vagabond or homeless person. A "recipient" is someone who receives something from someone else. A "witness" is someone who sees an event (usually an accident or crime). "Host" and "guest" are antonyms.

Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

BENEFACTOR

Possible Answers:

Smith

Artisan

Recipient

Donor

Immigrant

Correct answer:

Donor

Explanation:

A "donor" or "benefactor" is someone who gives or donates, either to a particular person or to a particular group or cause. This is the opposite of a "recipient," someone who receives a gift from someone else. A "smith" is someone who works with metal (such as a blacksmith). An "immigrant" is someone who moves to another country, and an "artisan" is a craftsperson.

Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

NEOPHYTE

Possible Answers:

Pastor

Mercenary

Cleric

Beginner

Expert

Correct answer:

Beginner

Explanation:

A "neophyte" is a novice or a beginner. The antonym for "neophyte" is expert. Both "pastor" and "cleric" are terms for someone who holds a religious office, such as a minister or a bishop. A "mercenary" is a soldier-for-hire.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

WRAITH

Possible Answers:

Curate

Dunce

Ghost

Detective

Pastor

Correct answer:

Ghost

Explanation:

"Wraith" is a synonym for ghost, phantom, or specter. "Detective" is a synonym for "sleuth," and "pastor" is a synonym for minister or priest. A "dunce" is a dullard or imbecile. A "curate" is an assistant clergyman or vicar.

Example Question #48 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PENSIONER

Possible Answers:

Freshmen

Child

Senior

Sophomore

Infant

Correct answer:

Senior

Explanation:

Note that "freshmen," "sophomore," and "senior" are somewhat related in meaning in so far as their use to refer to someone in high school with a particular level of education. "Senior" may seem to be related to these words, but in this case the noun has a very different meaning, referring to someone who is old in age: consider the phrase senior citizen or "pensioner." "Pensioner" is closest in meaning to senior. "Child" and "infant" are clearly related but do not come close in meaning to pensioner.

Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FINANCIER

Possible Answers:

Authority

Official

Officer

Mapmaker

Backer

Correct answer:

Backer

Explanation:

"Financier" can refer to someone who invests financially in some venture. This kind of individual can also be referred to as a "backer." The other nouns are not at all related to money or finances. "Mapmaker" is completely unrelated. The words "officer," "authority," and "official" can all be lumped together as synonymous with each other but not with "financier."

Example Question #50 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CHAPLAIN

Possible Answers:

Patriarch

Merchant

Priest

Bureacrat

Sailor

Correct answer:

Priest

Explanation:

A "chaplain" is a type of religious leader most similar to a pastor or priest. A "bureaucrat" is someone who holds a government post, and a "patriarch" is the male leader of a family or organization. A "sailor" is someone who sails on ships for a living, and a "merchant" is someone who buys and sells goods for a living.

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