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 #242 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Rest is to relax as ridicule is to __________.

Possible Answers:

inundate 

supplant 

lampoon

hemorrhage 

opine 

Correct answer:

lampoon

Explanation:

"Rest," when used as a verb, and "relax" are synonym. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "ridicule" (make fun of, mock). The correct answer is "lampoon." Additionally, "supplant" means replace, take over control from; "inundate" means flood, overwhelm; "hemorrhage" means to be losing blood, or something else, very quickly; "opine" means declare, state as one's opinion

Example Question #243 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Utopian is to idealistic as opaque is to __________.

Possible Answers:

perfidious 

imperious 

jubilant 

murky

iconoclastic 

Correct answer:

murky

Explanation:

"Utopia" means "idealistic." It is therefore a synonym of "idealistic," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these has the same meaning as "opaque." Well, "opaque" means not transparent, cloudy, murky, not clear. Additionally, "jubilant" means very happy and celebratory; "imperious" means arrogant and domineering, assuming power for oneself; "perfidious" means treacherous, not trustworthy, duplicitous; "iconoclastic" means involving an attack on long-held and beloved beliefs.

Example Question #1 : Antonyms

 

Fortune is to pittance as excess is to . . . 

Possible Answers:

decline

overabundance

constant

paucity

surfeit

Correct answer:

paucity

Explanation:

Since a fortune is a lot of money and a pittance is "a very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone as an allowance or wage," "fortune" and "pittance" are opposites, and we need to pick out a word that is an opposite of "excess." Since "excess" means "an amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable," we should pick out a word that has to do with not having enough of something. While "paucity" and "decline" may both look like correct answers, decline is a verb, so it can't be the correct answer, as we need a noun. Since "paucity" means "the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity," "paucity" is the answer choice that is closest to being an antonym of "excess," so "paucity" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Antonyms

Ebullience is to lassitude as __________.

Possible Answers:

portentous is to ominous

autumn is to winter

farmland is to crop

ennui is to interest

verdant is to plant

Correct answer:

ennui is to interest

Explanation:

"Ebullience" is a noun that means "the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance," and "lassitude" is a noun that means "a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy." Since the two words are antonyms, we need to pick out another pair of words that are also opposites. Since "ennui" means "a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement," "interest" is its opposite. Since "ennui is to interest" is the only answer choice whose words are antonyms, "ennui is to interest" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Antonyms

Precarious is to stable as lithe is to __________.

Possible Answers:

careful

rickety

clumsy

likable

blithe

Correct answer:

clumsy

Explanation:

Something that is precarious is not stable, and someone who is not lithe is clumsy. 

Example Question #1 : Antonyms

STOIC : EMOTIONAL

Possible Answers:

silent : noisy

argumentative : contentious 

punctual : rude

crying : depressed

amiable : riveting

Correct answer:

silent : noisy

Explanation:

Stoic means not showing one's feelings or not complaining. Emotional means showing very strong feelings. Stoic is the opposite of emotional. Silent is the opposite of noisy. Thus, the two sets of words have the same relationship.  

Example Question #3 : Antonyms

Trivial is to significant as self-aggrandizing is to __________.

Possible Answers:

disgraceful 

determined 

lethargic

boastful 

modest 

Correct answer:

modest 

Explanation:

Trivial is an adjective that describes an event of little importance. This is an antonym of significant so to solve this analogy you need to determine the best available antonym for self-aggrandizing. Self-aggrandizing refers to the act of exaggerating one’s own importance therefore an acceptable antonym would be modest. Modest means humble. For clarification boastful is an antonym of modest; lethargic means very tired.

Example Question #332 : Analogies

Sardonic is to genuine as amiable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

foolish 

worldly 

friendly 

dislikable 

remorseful

Correct answer:

dislikable 

Explanation:

Sardonic refers to behavior or expression that is disdainful, mocking and cynical. This is an antonym of genuine so to solve this analogy you are looking for the best available antonym for amiable. Amiable means friendly, likable and pleasant so the best answer choice is dislikable. For clarification foolish means not wise; remorseful means expressing regret; worldly means well-informed or knowledgeable.

Example Question #4 : Antonyms

Comely is to repulsive as miserable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

wishful 

ecstatic

well-informed 

serene

depressed 

Correct answer:

ecstatic

Explanation:

Comely is an adjective that means cute or good-looking. This is an antonym of repulsive which means disgusting; therefore to complete the second part of the analogy you are required to find the best possible antonym for miserable. Miserable means very sad. The correct answer is ecstatic which means very happy.

Example Question #1 : Antonyms

Hyperbolic is to understated as intangible is to __________.

Possible Answers:

degrading 

nonsensical 

recalcitrant

palpable 

implicit 

Correct answer:

palpable 

Explanation:

Hyperbolic is an adjective which describes language or behavior that is exaggerated or over-the-top. Understated has the opposite meaning so to solve this analogy you need to find which answer choice is the best antonym for intangible. Intangible means lacking material qualities, hard to define or incapable of being perceived. The best antonym for this is palpable, which means able to be felt or so intense it is almost able to be felt. For clarification, degrading means making someone feel humiliated; implicit means something not stated, but nonetheless understood; recalcitrant means resistant to authority; nonsensical means ridiculous.

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