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 #227 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

DISSIPATE

Possible Answers:

Scatter

Manufacture

Banter

Establish

Germinate

Correct answer:

Scatter

Explanation:

"Dissipate" means to scatter or disperse, so "scatter" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1986 : Synonyms

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

PRECEDE

Possible Answers:

Go after

Celebrate

Struggle

Move forward

Go before

Correct answer:

Go before

Explanation:

"Precede" means to go before. "Go after" has the opposite meaning. None of the other words or terms have the same meaning as "precede." "Move forward" means to proceed. "Celebrate" means to commemorate an event. "Struggle" means to fight or brawl.

Example Question #1987 : Synonyms

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Squelch

Approach

Dismiss

Ignore

Waste

Correct answer:

Waste

Explanation:

"Squander" means waste or fritter away, so "waste" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #1988 : Synonyms

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

CONSOLIDATE

Possible Answers:

Pacify

Categorize

Unify

Raze

Sympathize

Correct answer:

Unify

Explanation:

"Consolidate" means unify. "Raze" means destroy or tear down. "Pacify" means to calm someone or something down. "Sympathize" means to feel or express compassion. "Categorize" means to label or place in a distinct group.

Example Question #1989 : Synonyms

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

KINDLE

Possible Answers:

Ignite

Zeal

Undertake

Fallow

Equivocate

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

Since "kindle" means light or set on fire or inspire, we're looking for a verb that means set on fire or inspire. Of the three answer choices that are verbs ("equivocate," "undertake," and "ignite"), "ignite" is the closest synonym to "kindle" as "ignite" means catch fire or cause to catch on fire, so "ignite" is the correct answer.

Example Question #231 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

GARNER

Possible Answers:

Misplace

Swindle

Compendium

Divide

Amass

Correct answer:

Amass

Explanation:

"Garner" is a verb that means "gather or collect something, especially. information or approval," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "collect." While "swindle" may look like a potentially correct answer because "swindle" means "to take money or property from someone by using lies or tricks," "amass" is actually a closer synonym to "garner," as "amass" means "to gather or collect something, such as a large amount of money, especially for yourself." So, because "amass" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "garner," "amass" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1992 : Synonyms

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

PROPEL

Possible Answers:

Facilitate

Propeller

Shove

Collaborate

Acquit

Correct answer:

Shove

Explanation:

"Propel" is a verb that means "to push or drive someone or something forward or in a particular direction," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "push." While "propeller" might sound like a good answer because it contains the word "propel," "propeller" is a noun, not a verb, so it can't be the correct answer. "Shove," which means "to push someone or something with force," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "propel," so "shove" is the correct answer.

Example Question #232 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

WHET

Possible Answers:

Belittle

Find

Accelerate

Dampen

Hone

Correct answer:

Hone

Explanation:

"Whet" is a verb which means "to sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon," or "to excite or stimulate someone's desire, interest, or appetite." So, we need to pick out another verb that means something like "sharpen." While "whet" sounds like "wet," and "dampen" is synonymous with "wet" when "wet" is used as a verb, "whet" has a very different meaning than "wet," so "dampen" cannot be the correct answer. "Hone," however, is a verb that means "to sharpen with a whetstone" or "to make sharper or more focused or efficient." Since "hone" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "whet," "hone" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1994 : Synonyms

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

CURTAIL

Possible Answers:

Follow

Curmudgeon

Reduce

Deny

Exacerbate

Correct answer:

Reduce

Explanation:

While "follow" might seem like a good answer because to "tail" someone is to follow them, "curtail" does not mean the same thing as "tail," so "follow" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "curmudgeon" and "curtail" both begin with "cur-," curmudgeon is a noun and curtail is a verb, so they cannot be synonyms. Since "curtail" means "reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on," "reduce" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.

Example Question #233 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

DOUSE

Possible Answers:

Fluctuate

Dry

Dehydrate

Mimic

Drench

Correct answer:

Drench

Explanation:

"Douse" means to drench or extinguish, usually with water. Dehydrate and Dry would be the opposite meaning of douse. Fluctuate means to waver and mimic is to imitate, so they are not synonyms of douse.

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