SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #534 : Synonyms

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

DILEMMA

Possible Answers:

Halt

Setback

Entangle

Opacity

Quandary

Correct answer:

Quandary

Explanation:

"Dilemma" is a noun that means "a situation in which you have to make a difficult choice," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "problem." "Setback" and "quandary" both appear to be potentially correct answers, "setback" means " a problem that makes progress more difficult or success less likely" and "quandary" means "a situation in which you are confused about what to do." Since "quandary" is closer in meaning to "dilemma," since both words have to do with making difficult choices, "quandary" is the correct answer.

Example Question #535 : Synonyms

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

QUALM

Possible Answers:

Implication

Plea

Reproach

Eloquence

Misgiving

Correct answer:

Misgiving

Explanation:

"Qualm" is a noun that means "an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "doubt" or "worry." Since "misgiving" means "a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "qualm" and thus the correct answer.

Example Question #536 : Synonyms

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

ALACRITY

Possible Answers:

Charm

Potential

Criticism

Alarm

Eagerness

Correct answer:

Eagerness

Explanation:

While "alarm" might look like a potentially good answer choice because both "alacrity" and "alarm" begin with "ala-," or "criticism," because "alacrity" contains the infix "-crit-," which is also present in "criticism," "alacrity" actually means "brisk and cheerful readiness," so "eagerness" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.

Example Question #537 : Synonyms

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

WONT

Possible Answers:

Habit

Fountain

Will not

Lewd

Desire

Correct answer:

Habit

Explanation:

While "wont" looks like "won't," it has a different meaning from the contraction, so "will not" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "wanton" is a synonym of "lewd," "wont" and "wanton" have completely different meanings, and while a "font" is a term for a fountain, the only thing "font" and "wont" have in common with each other is that they can both be used as nouns and they rhyme. While "desire" is a synonym of "want," "want" and "wont" are different words with different meanings. "Wont" as a noun means "one's customary behavior in a particular situation," and as an adjective it refers to people and means "in the habit of doing something; accustomed." Since "habit" means "a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up," "habit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wont" and the correct answer.

Example Question #538 : Synonyms

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

HUSBANDRY

Possible Answers:

Marriage

Construction

Child-rearing

Parenthood

Farm management

Correct answer:

Farm management

Explanation:

This is a tricky one. When you see the word husbandry, you probably recognize the word husband and assume that husbandry has something to do with marriage, parenthood, or child-rearing. Husbandry actually has to do with farm management, and perhaps in a more indirect way with management of the household. The only choice that really works for that definition is "Farm management."  

Example Question #539 : Synonyms

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

DEARTH

Possible Answers:

Plentiful

Abundance

Diverse

Scarcity

Peaceful

Correct answer:

Scarcity

Explanation:

"Dearth" means to lack, or scarcity. Abundance and Plentiful means to have a lot of, so they are antonyms of Dearth. Diverse means to be varied, and Peaceful means to be calm. These last two words have no relation to Dearth in this context.

Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

HARMONY

Possible Answers:

Cacophony

Infamy

Model

Agreement

Discord

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

"Harmony" is to have an agreement. Discord or Cacophony means to have a disagreement, and therefore they are antonyms of Harmony. Infamy means to be known for a bad reason, and Model means a good example. These last two words have no relation to Harmony in this context.

Example Question #162 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PHENOMENON

Possible Answers:

Variance 

Whim

Present

Aggravation

Occurrence

Correct answer:

Occurrence

Explanation:

A phenomenon is a fact or occurrence that is observable.  

Example Question #163 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

Innocence

Passion

Recuperation 

Savagery 

Imposition

Correct answer:

Passion

Explanation:

Zeal means enthusiasm or passion for something.  

Example Question #164 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

RUSE

Possible Answers:

Empathy

Dehydration

Trick

Institution

Authenticity

Correct answer:

Trick

Explanation:

A ruse is a trick, which is defined as an action intended to deceive someone.  

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