All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REPROACH
Congratulate
Whirl
Identify
Fault
Bend
Fault
“Reproach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “reproach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “reproach” means “to express disapproval or disappointment,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “express disapproval or disappointment.” That means that “congratulate” cannot be the correct answer, because “congratulate” means “to praise for a particular achievement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reproach.” “Fault,” however, when used as a verb, means “criticize for inadequacy or mistakes,” and because “fault” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reproach,” “fault” is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VAULT
Motion
Hurdle
Tumble
Run
Forget
Hurdle
“Vault” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “vault” as a verb. When used as a verb, “vault” means “leap or spring,” or, when used with an object, “jump over an obstacle.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “leap over something.” That means that “tumble” cannot be the correct answer, because “tumble,” when used as a verb, typically refers to a person and means “fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong,” a meaning very distant from that of “vault.” “Hurdle,” however, when used as a verb, means “jump over (a hurdle or other obstacle) while running,” when used with an object, and because “hurdle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vault,” “hurdle” is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BREACH
Excuse
Infringe
Mix
Skirt
Obey
Infringe
“Breach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “breach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “breach” can mean “make a gap in something and break through” or “break or fail to observe something contracted or necessary.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “break through” or “fail to observe.” That means that “obey” cannot be the correct answer, because “obey” can mean “ behave in accordance with authority,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “breach.” “Infringe,” however, is a verb that can mean “actively break the terms of a contract or law,” and because “infringe” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “breach,” “infringe” is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTTER
Say
Complain
Herald
Perform
Miss
Say
"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRIEF
Sculpt
Shorten
Cover
Fabricate
Inform
Inform
To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGINEER
Record
Proselytise
Contrive
Partake
Travel
Contrive
To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINUTE
Pious
Punctual
Quiet
Tiny
Worldly
Tiny
One definition of minute is very small.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURB
Restrain
Mollify
Harmonize
Ostracize
Sort
Restrain
To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRANCH
Banknotes
Coinage
Bills
Currency
Division
Division
The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WILL
Of
Can
Future
Might
Determination
Determination
"Will" and "determination" are synonyms. In this case, we must distinguish between the word "will" as it would be used in a verb construction and think of the word as a representation of one's willpower or drive.
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
