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 #86 : Synonyms

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

ITINERANT

Possible Answers:

Guest

Host

Recipient

Witness

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 #86 : Synonyms

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

BENEFACTOR

Possible Answers:

Recipient

Immigrant

Smith

Donor

Artisan

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 #87 : Synonyms

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

NEOPHYTE

Possible Answers:

Cleric

Mercenary

Beginner

Expert

Pastor

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 #88 : Synonyms

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

WRAITH

Possible Answers:

Ghost

Detective

Dunce

Pastor

Curate

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 #41 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PENSIONER

Possible Answers:

Sophomore

Freshmen

Infant

Child

Senior

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 #41 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FINANCIER

Possible Answers:

Official

Mapmaker

Authority

Officer

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 #42 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHAPLAIN

Possible Answers:

Merchant

Bureacrat

Sailor

Priest

Patriarch

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.

Example Question #51 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AVIATOR

Possible Answers:

Acolyte

Lunatic

Cleric

Entrepreneur

Pilot

Correct answer:

Pilot

Explanation:

An "aviator" is someone who flies planes for a living, a pilot. An "entrepreneur" is a businessperson. A "lunatic" is a madman or madwoman. An "acolyte" is a follower or aide, often of a powerful religious figure. A "cleric" is a religious leader.

Example Question #52 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEDAGOGUE

Possible Answers:

Victor

Brigand

Teacher

Orator

Zealot

Correct answer:

Teacher

Explanation:

A "pedagogue" is someone who teaches. An "orator" is someone who delivers speeches. A "zealot" is a fanatic, and a "brigand" is a robber. "Victor" and "winner" are synonyms.

Example Question #53 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOMAD

Possible Answers:

Pastor

Orator

Accountant

Homebody

Vagabond

Correct answer:

Vagabond

Explanation:

A "nomad" is someone with no fixed home. This is an antonym of "homebody," someone who is very rooted to his or her dwelling. An "accountant" is someone who works with finance and numbers for a living, and a "pastor" is a Christian minister. An "orator" is someone who makes speeches.

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