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 #301 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

CENSURE

Possible Answers:

Condemnation

Spleen

Opulence

Wrath

Commendation

Correct answer:

Condemnation

Explanation:

"Censure" means "condemnation" or harsh criticism. Be careful of the spelling: "commendation," a similar sounding word, actually means praise or acclaim, the opposite of "censure." "Opulence" means wealth and luxuriousness, and "spleen" and "wrath" both mean extreme anger.

Example Question #302 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

SQUALOR

Possible Answers:

Misery

Dampness

Filth

Plaudits

Exultation

Correct answer:

Filth

Explanation:

"Squalor" is a word that means dirtiness, griminess, or "filth." "Dampness" is an antonym of "dryness," and "exultation" means rejoicing and happiness, which is an antonym for "misery." "Plaudits" is a synonym for "praise."

Example Question #303 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

INIQUITY

Possible Answers:

Candor

Dissent

Sincerity

Fortune

Evil

Correct answer:

Evil

Explanation:

"Iniquity" is a synonym for "evil." "Sincerity" and "candor" are both synonyms for earnestness. "Dissent" means disagreement. "Fortune" can mean wealth or good luck, depending on the context.

Example Question #304 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

TENACITY

Possible Answers:

Perseverance

Penury

Alacrity

Largesse

Liveliness

Correct answer:

Perseverance

Explanation:

"Tenacity" means determination, persistence, or "perseverance." "Penury" is poverty, and "largesse" is generosity. "Liveliness" means alacrity or vivacity.

Example Question #305 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PAUCITY

Possible Answers:

Chauvinistic

Discordant

Plenty

Scarcity

Horror

Correct answer:

Scarcity

Explanation:

"Paucity" means scarcity or insufficiency. This is an antonym for "plenty," which means abundance. "Horror" means extreme fear, and "glee" means extreme happiness and delight. "Discordant" means inharmonious, dissonant, or off key. "Chauvinism" is excessive patriotism or prejudice.

Example Question #306 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Urbanity

Dissent

Superficial

Eloquence

Haughty

Correct answer:

Dissent

Explanation:

Like "dissent," "dispute" means disagreement. "Eloquence" is fluency, and "haughty" means arrogant and conceited. "Superficial" is a synonym for shallow.

Example Question #307 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

JUNCTURE

Possible Answers:

Moment

Plumage

Tryst

Proponent

Advocate

Correct answer:

Moment

Explanation:

A "juncture" is a moment in time. Usually it is a moment in time where two things meet or where two things split and go separate ways. Additionally, "plumage" is the name given to feathers on a bird; "proponent" and "advocate" are synonyms, both words mean supporter, someone who speaks out in support of something; a "tryst" is an illicit meeting, an affair, a secret rendezvous.

Example Question #308 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

TURMOIL

Possible Answers:

Agitation

Outlier

Indiscriminate

Cogent

Acolyte

Correct answer:

Agitation

Explanation:

The noun "turmoil" is used to describe a state of chaos and agitation, an uncertain situation. Additionally, an "outlier" is a piece of data that does not fit with the rest, an anomaly; "cogent" means (of an argument) very convincing, well reasoned; "indiscriminate" means not discriminating, random; an "acolyte" is an assistant, a minion.

Example Question #309 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

IMPUDENCE

Possible Answers:

Melody

Relevance

Nuisance

Expurgation

Effrontery

Correct answer:

Effrontery

Explanation:

"Impudence" is another word for both insolence and "effrontery." "Relevance" indicates connection to the topic at hand. A "melody" is a sequence of notes that comprises a song, and a "nuisance" is a bother. "Expurgation" is the act of removing material from something (e.g. a book) to avoid offending people.

Example Question #310 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

APEX

Possible Answers:

Interrogation

Gratitude

Nadir

Larceny

Pinnacle

Correct answer:

Pinnacle

Explanation:

An "apex" is a "pinnacle," apogee, or high point. This is the antonym of "nadir," or low point. An "interrogation" is a formal or intense questioning. "Larceny" is theft, and "gratitude" is thankfulness.

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