SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech

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

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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

Possible Answers:

Bend

Whirl

Identify

Congratulate

Fault

Correct answer:

Fault

Explanation:

“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

Possible Answers:

Motion

Run

Hurdle

Tumble

Forget

Correct answer:

Hurdle

Explanation:

“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 #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BREACH

Possible Answers:

Infringe

Mix

Excuse

Skirt

Obey

Correct answer:

Infringe

Explanation:

“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

Possible Answers:

Complain

Perform

Herald

Say

Miss

Correct answer:

Say

Explanation:

"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BRIEF

Possible Answers:

Cover

Inform

Fabricate

Shorten

Sculpt

Correct answer:

Inform

Explanation:

To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

ENGINEER

Possible Answers:

Contrive

Travel

Partake

Proselytise

Record

Correct answer:

Contrive

Explanation:

To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

MINUTE

Possible Answers:

Quiet

Tiny

Punctual

Pious

Worldly

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

One definition of minute is very small.  

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

CURB

Possible Answers:

Restrain

Harmonize

Mollify

Ostracize

Sort

Correct answer:

Restrain

Explanation:

To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BRANCH

Possible Answers:

Banknotes

Currency

Division

Bills

Coinage

Correct answer:

Division

Explanation:

The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

WILL

Possible Answers:

Determination

Might

Future

Can

Of

Correct answer:

Determination

Explanation:

"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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