SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, or Location

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Intone

Decipher

Squish 

Harbor

Waste

Correct answer:

Waste

Explanation:

"Squander" means to spend money is an impractical or wasteful way. (Example: "Lucy squandered her father's fortune by investing in a business that had no future.") Thus, "waste" is the best synonym.

Example Question #1986 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

DISSIPATE

Possible Answers:

Germinate

Manufacture

Scatter

Establish

Banter

Correct answer:

Scatter

Explanation:

"Dissipate" means to scatter or disperse, so "scatter" is the correct answer.

Example Question #62 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PRECEDE

Possible Answers:

Move forward

Struggle

Celebrate

Go after

Go before

Correct answer:

Go before

Explanation:

"Precede" means to go before. "Go after" has the opposite meaning. None of the other words or terms have the same meaning as "precede." "Move forward" means to proceed. "Celebrate" means to commemorate an event. "Struggle" means to fight or brawl.

Example Question #63 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Ignore

Approach

Waste

Squelch

Dismiss

Correct answer:

Waste

Explanation:

"Squander" means waste or fritter away, so "waste" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONSOLIDATE

Possible Answers:

Unify

Pacify

Raze

Categorize

Sympathize

Correct answer:

Unify

Explanation:

"Consolidate" means unify. "Raze" means destroy or tear down. "Pacify" means to calm someone or something down. "Sympathize" means to feel or express compassion. "Categorize" means to label or place in a distinct group.

Example Question #65 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

KINDLE

Possible Answers:

Equivocate

Undertake

Fallow

Ignite

Zeal

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

Since "kindle" means light or set on fire or inspire, we're looking for a verb that means set on fire or inspire. Of the three answer choices that are verbs ("equivocate," "undertake," and "ignite"), "ignite" is the closest synonym to "kindle" as "ignite" means catch fire or cause to catch on fire, so "ignite" is the correct answer.

Example Question #66 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

GARNER

Possible Answers:

Amass

Misplace

Compendium

Swindle

Divide

Correct answer:

Amass

Explanation:

"Garner" is a verb that means "gather or collect something, especially. information or approval," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "collect." While "swindle" may look like a potentially correct answer because "swindle" means "to take money or property from someone by using lies or tricks," "amass" is actually a closer synonym to "garner," as "amass" means "to gather or collect something, such as a large amount of money, especially for yourself." So, because "amass" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "garner," "amass" is the correct answer.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

PROPEL

Possible Answers:

Shove

Facilitate

Acquit

Propeller

Collaborate

Correct answer:

Shove

Explanation:

"Propel" is a verb that means "to push or drive someone or something forward or in a particular direction," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "push." While "propeller" might sound like a good answer because it contains the word "propel," "propeller" is a noun, not a verb, so it can't be the correct answer. "Shove," which means "to push someone or something with force," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "propel," so "shove" is the correct answer.

Example Question #68 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

WHET

Possible Answers:

Belittle

Dampen

Find

Accelerate

Hone

Correct answer:

Hone

Explanation:

"Whet" is a verb which means "to sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon," or "to excite or stimulate someone's desire, interest, or appetite." So, we need to pick out another verb that means something like "sharpen." While "whet" sounds like "wet," and "dampen" is synonymous with "wet" when "wet" is used as a verb, "whet" has a very different meaning than "wet," so "dampen" cannot be the correct answer. "Hone," however, is a verb that means "to sharpen with a whetstone" or "to make sharper or more focused or efficient." Since "hone" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "whet," "hone" is the correct answer.

Example Question #69 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

CURTAIL

Possible Answers:

Deny

Curmudgeon

Follow

Reduce

Exacerbate

Correct answer:

Reduce

Explanation:

While "follow" might seem like a good answer because to "tail" someone is to follow them, "curtail" does not mean the same thing as "tail," so "follow" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "curmudgeon" and "curtail" both begin with "cur-," curmudgeon is a noun and curtail is a verb, so they cannot be synonyms. Since "curtail" means "reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on," "reduce" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.

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