SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

WINSOME. 

Possible Answers:

Disgusting 

Humble 

Sagacious 

Charming 

Venerable

Correct answer:

Charming 

Explanation:

A “winsome” person is someone who is charming, particularly because of an appealing naiveté. For clarification, "venerable" means worthy of respect, old; "humble" means modest; "sagacious" means very wise.  

Example Question #52 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ABROGATE.

Possible Answers:

Goad

Envelop 

Praise 

Abolish 

Encourage 

Correct answer:

Abolish 

Explanation:

“Abrogate” means to do away with something, so the correct answer is “abolish” which has the same meaning. For clarification, "goad" means to provoke; "envelop" means surround

Example Question #53 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

STRENUOUS.

Possible Answers:

Strict 

Lilliputian 

Harmonious 

Arduous 

Staunch 

Correct answer:

Arduous 

Explanation:

Something that is “strenuous” is hard-work and stressful. This is very similar in meaning to “arduous” which describes a task that is difficult and exhausting to accomplish. For clarification, "staunch" means loyal, sturdy or ardent; "harmonious" means peaceful and co-operative; "lilliputian" means very short.

Example Question #54 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

TRAVESTY.

Possible Answers:

Temerity 

Compromise 

Inheritance

Justice 

Imitation 

Correct answer:

Imitation 

Explanation:

A “travesty” is a grotesque or insulting representation or imitation of something, so the correct answer is “imitation.” For clarification imitation means simulation, copy or representation; inheritance describes ownership or succession by heredity (meaning things that are passed down from the previous generation to the next such as in a will or through a heirloom); compromise is an agreement in which both parties make some sacrifice for the good of the agreement; temerity means shyness.

Example Question #55 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

POISED. 

Possible Answers:

Judicial 

Lanky 

Outraged 

Porous 

Balanced 

Correct answer:

Balanced 

Explanation:

To be “poised” means you are centered, balanced and calm. For clarification, "porous" means easily permeable or breachable; "lanky" means tall and skinny; "judicial" means fair and wise; "outraged" means angered.

Example Question #56 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

SURMISE. 

Possible Answers:

Cancel 

Infer 

Banal 

Misunderstood 

Creative 

Correct answer:

Infer 

Explanation:

To “surmise” means to make an educated conclusion based on inference or intuition. So the correct answer is “infer.” For clarification, "banal" means commonplace, ordinary or boring.

Example Question #57 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRESAGE. 

Possible Answers:

Candor 

Prefix 

Describe 

Omen 

Incite 

Correct answer:

Omen 

Explanation:

A “presage” is an omen or warning of a future event. The prefix pre- would have provided you with a clue that the word “presage” described something that occurs before something else such as in “preview” or “preorder.” For clarification, "candor" means frankness or openness; "incite" means to start or encourage something.

Example Question #58 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

COMPORT

Possible Answers:

propose

retaliate

consider

invite

behave

Correct answer:

behave

Explanation:

Comport means to behave.

Example Question #58 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

OBSCENE

Possible Answers:

unintelligent

indecent

callous

marginal

problematic

Correct answer:

indecent

Explanation:

Obscene means offensive, disgusting, or indecent.

Example Question #59 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PORTRAIT

Possible Answers:

moisture

depiction

gust

pathway

candor

Correct answer:

depiction

Explanation:

portrait is a painting, representation, or depiction of someone.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors