SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2061 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNNERVE

Possible Answers:

Trudge

Consume

Reveal

Relinquish

Stress

Correct answer:

Stress

Explanation:

"Unnerve" and "stress" are closest in meaning. These synonyms describe the action of causing something frustration and uneasiness. The other words do not share this meaning. "Consume" means to eat, digest, or exhaust. To "reveal" something is to bring something to light. To "relinquish" something is to give that thing up. To "trudge" is to walk heavily.

Example Question #2062 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ROUSE

Possible Answers:

Confiscate

Incense

Deign

Inspire

Parry

Correct answer:

Inspire

Explanation:

The verb "rouse" means to cause excitement, to inspire and motivate. Additionally, "incense" means to anger, to make furious; "deign" means condescend, to allow oneself to talk to people one views as inferior; "confiscate" means seize, take from; "parry" means (of something thrown at one) to deflect, to cause to move in another direction.

Example Question #2063 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLUSTERED

Possible Answers:

Poised

Supreme

Unsettled

Recondite

Composed

Correct answer:

Unsettled

Explanation:

The verb "flustered" means unsettled, made nervous by something. Additionally, "composed" means calm and under control; "poised" means showing calm and composure in a stressful situation; "supreme" means best, superior, greatest; "recondite" means (of knowledge) obscure and arcane, known by only a few.

Example Question #2064 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENTRANCE

Possible Answers:

Dismay

Captivate

Convince

Resign

Join

Correct answer:

Captivate

Explanation:

This is a little tough because the word "entrance" can be a noun that means a way into something. But "entrance" also means to put into a trance or to charm.

I was entranced by the beautiful music coming from the tower.

There is no answer choice that could serve as a synonym of the noun form of entrance, so it must be the verb form, and the word "captivate," meaning to hold or capture the interest of, is a synonym.

Example Question #2065 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOLLIFY

Possible Answers:

Lessen

Frighten

Engage

Support

Secure

Correct answer:

Lessen

Explanation:

"Mollify" means to soften or make less intense in feeling or temper.

I hope that giving the family an upgrade to first class will  mollify them after the airline lost their luggage.

So to "lessen" is the best choice.

Example Question #2066 : Identifying Synonyms

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Centipede

Possible Answers:

twist

animal

hundred

light

foot

Correct answer:

foot

Explanation:

"Ped" usually means foot. Another example is "pedestrian."

Example Question #2067 : Identifying Synonyms

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Dictum

Possible Answers:

belief

words

many

death

under

Correct answer:

words

Explanation:

"Dict" has to do with words, or saying. Another example is "dictionary."

Example Question #2068 : Identifying Synonyms

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Credential

Possible Answers:

call

become

study

believe

other

Correct answer:

believe

Explanation:

"Cred" usually has to do with belief. Another example is "credible."

Example Question #2069 : Identifying Synonyms

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Hydrate

Possible Answers:

under

water

light

between

many

Correct answer:

water

Explanation:

"Hydr" usually means water. Another example is "hydraulic."

Example Question #2070 : Identifying Synonyms

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Belligerent

Possible Answers:

large

two

advance

war

inside

Correct answer:

war

Explanation:

"Bell" usually means war. Another example is "rebellion."

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