SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #131 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MARAUDER

Possible Answers:

Lyricist

Performer

Robber

Elder

Minstrel

Correct answer:

Robber

Explanation:

A "marauder" is a "robber," a raider, or a pirate. A "performer" is someone who performs, an actor. A "lyricist" could be a songwriter or a poet, someone who writes lyrics. A "minstrel" is also a musician, particularly a wandering one. An "elder" is a venerable old person.

Example Question #132 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WAG

Possible Answers:

Philanderer

Truant

Wit

Thespian

Vagabond

Correct answer:

Wit

Explanation:

A "wag" is a "wit," a witty person. A "thespian" is a theater performer, and a "truant" is a runaway. A "philanderer" is an adulterer, and a "vagabond" is a wanderer.

Example Question #133 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SAINT

Possible Answers:

Virago

Mountebank

Angel

Clerk

Imbecile

Correct answer:

Angel

Explanation:

A "saint," in certain contexts, is an "angel." A "clerk" is a scribe or someone who does menial office work. "Imbecile" is a synonym for "dunce." "Virago" is a synonym for "harpy." A "mountebank" is a fraud and a cheater.

Example Question #134 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEMESIS

Possible Answers:

Protagonist

Mendicant

Philanderer

Marauder

Arch-rival

Correct answer:

Arch-rival

Explanation:

A "nemesis" is an enemy, whereas a "protagonist" is a main character (usually a hero/heroine). A "philanderer" is an adulterer, and a "mendicant" is a beggar. A "marauder" is a thief, looter, or raider.

Example Question #135 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESIDENTS

Possible Answers:

Interloper

Banshee

Oligarch

Populace

Sycophant

Correct answer:

Populace

Explanation:

"Residents" refers to the people who inhabit a space, the "populace." This is very different from an "oligarch," who is a rich aristocrat in a ruling class. An "interloper" is an intruder or an encroacher. A "sycophant" is someone who flatters others for personal gain. "Banshee" is a synonym for "ghoul."

Example Question #136 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THESPIAN

Possible Answers:

Actor

Mountebank

Dowager

Oracle

Hooligan

Correct answer:

Actor

Explanation:

A "thespian" is an "actor," a theater performer. A "mountebank" is a trickster and a cheat. A "dowager" is a rich and genteel elderly woman. "Oracle" is a synonym for "prophet." "Hooligan" is a synonym for "hoodlum."

Example Question #137 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DOXY

Possible Answers:

Artisan

Pugilist

Crony

Mistress

Demagogue

Correct answer:

Mistress

Explanation:

"Doxy" means "mistress" or lover. "Pugilist" means boxer, and "demagogue" means rabble-rouser, rebel. A "crony" is a henchman, and an "artisan" is a craftsperson.

Example Question #138 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CURMUDGEON

Possible Answers:

Tinker

Grump

Novice

Smith

Neophyte

Correct answer:

Grump

Explanation:

A "curmudgeon" is a cranky person, most often an old man. "Novice" and "neophyte" are both words for beginner. A "tinker" is an old-fashioned profession that involves traveling around and mending people's utensils and other items. A "smith" is someone who works with metal.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters

BURROW

Possible Answers:

rod

bottle

mansion

gateway

tunnel

Correct answer:

tunnel

Explanation:

burrow is a hole or tunnel, usually a small animal's home.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

Synonyms: find the words that match most closely.

DOLLOP

Possible Answers:

Miracle

Resentment

Joke

Blob

Sound effect

Correct answer:

Blob

Explanation:

A "dollop" is a shapeless mass or blob of something.

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