All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1951 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WHET
Find
Hone
Dampen
Accelerate
Belittle
Hone
"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 #1952 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURTAIL
Curmudgeon
Exacerbate
Follow
Reduce
Deny
Reduce
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.
Example Question #1953 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOUSE
Drench
Dehydrate
Dry
Fluctuate
Mimic
Drench
"Douse" means to drench or extinguish, usually with water. Dehydrate and Dry would be the opposite meaning of douse. Fluctuate means to waver and mimic is to imitate, so they are not synonyms of douse.
Example Question #1954 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RETRACT
Advance
Poach
Permeate
Withdraw
Laud
Withdraw
"Retract" means to pull back or withdraw. Advance is to go forward, which is the opposite meaning of Retract. Poach means to hunt, Permeate means to penetrate, and Laud means to applause. None of these words have any relation to Retract.
Example Question #1955 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
Curtail
Shorten
Invest
Repeal
Capitulate
Follow
Shorten
To curtail means to cut short or shorten.
Example Question #1956 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VACILLATE
Incriminate
Fluctuate
Explore
Preach
Solidify
Fluctuate
To vacillate and to fluctuate both mean to continually shift back and forth.
Example Question #240 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STRIKE
Propel
Anger
Dismiss
Hit
Fly
Hit
Strike means to hit forcibily.
Example Question #1957 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INFILTRATE
Matriculate
Retreat
Observe
Invade
Revolutionize
Invade
Infiltrate means to gain access to something surreptiously, or gradually invade.
Example Question #1958 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTERCEPT
Consume
Produce
Share
Obstruct
Propel
Obstruct
Intercept means to prevent something from getting to its destination, or to obstruct
Example Question #1959 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BURGEON
Burden
Urge
Fish
Bloom
Margin
Bloom
Something that is burgeoning is growing well and fruitfully, blossoming, or blooming.
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
