SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #219 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Maudlin is to sentimental as impecunious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Loquacious

Impeccable

Garrulous 

Mercurial

Destitute 

Correct answer:

Destitute 

Explanation:

Maudlin means overly-sentimental and emotional, so to solve this analogy you have to find a synonym for impecunious. Impecunious means extremely poor, so the correct answer is “destitute” which also means poor, possessing absolutely nothing. For clarification, loquacious and garrulous both mean talkative; mercurial means mysterious or unpredictable; impeccable means perfect.

Example Question #220 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Copious is to abundant as concoct is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Accentuate 

Demand

Liken 

Wonder 

Invent 

Correct answer:

Invent 

Explanation:

Copious and abundant are synonyms that both mean plentiful, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for concoct. To concoct something means to create or invent, so the correct answer is “invent.” For clarification, accentuate means highlight or exaggerate.

Example Question #221 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Tenuous is to precarious as malign is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Slander

Docile 

Praise 

Encourage 

Effective 

Correct answer:

Slander

Explanation:

Tenuous and precarious are synonyms that both mean unstable or insecure. So to solve this analogy you have to find the best available synonym for malign. To malign someone is to slander them. For clarification, something that is docile is calm and obedient.

Example Question #222 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Tranquil is to peaceful as hapless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Quintessential 

Quixotic 

Deformed 

Soporific 

Unlucky 

Correct answer:

Unlucky 

Explanation:

Tranquil is a synonym for peaceful, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for hapless. Hapless means unlucky. For clarification, deformed means misshapen; soporific means sleep-inducing; quintessential means typical; quixotic means idealistic, and is one of my favorite words.

Example Question #223 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Guile is to cunning as callous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Heartless 

Quiescent

Remorseful

Perplexing 

Theology 

Correct answer:

Heartless 

Explanation:

Guile is a synonym of cunning, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which is the best available synonym for callous. Callous means cruel or harsh, so the nearest answer is “heartless.” For clarification, remorseful means full of regret; theology is the study of religion; quiescent means quiet or inactive; perplexing means confusing.

Example Question #224 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Fickle is to capricious as flabbergasted is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Understood 

Prosaic 

Astounded 

Inherent 

Defaced 

Correct answer:

Astounded 

Explanation:

Fickle and capricious are synonyms that both mean unpredictable, changeable, and impulsive. So to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is the best synonym for flabbergasted. Flabbergasted means shocked or astounded. For clarification, defaced means ruined, tarnished; inherent means innate, inbuilt; prosaic means mundane.

Example Question #225 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Flout is to ignore as goad is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Accuse 

Provoke 

Laud 

Demand 

Harangue

Correct answer:

Provoke 

Explanation:

Flout is a synonym for ignore and is most commonly heard in the expression “to flout the rules;” therefore, in order to solve this analogy, you must determine the best available synonym for goad. Goad means to provoke or encourage. For clarification, harangue means berate, scold; laud means praise.

Example Question #141 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Rancid is to putrid as restitution is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Combustion 

Competition

Composition

Compensation 

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 #142 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Retract is to withdraw as redact is to _________.

Possible Answers:

Ignite 

Edit 

Rejoice 

Create 

Allow 

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 #143 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Scurrilous is to vulgar as scathing is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Madness

Critical 

Friendly 

Humorous 

Kind 

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.

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