SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2101 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.

Forsake

Possible Answers:

to correct

to differentiate

to retain

to contemplate

to relinquish

Correct answer:

to relinquish

Explanation:

"Forsake" means to give up or relinquish; to retain is to hold on to; to differentiate is to distinguish or set apart; to contemplate is to think; and to correct is to make right.

Example Question #2102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLUNDER

Possible Answers:

Degrade

Abuse

Comment

Loot

Replace

Correct answer:

Loot

Explanation:

"Plunder" can be used as a noun or verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider "plunder" as a verb. When used as a verb, "plunder" means to steal or loot. "Replace" means to put back. "Abuse" means to treat badly. "Degrade" means to demean. "Comment" means to make an observation or remark.

Example Question #2103 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACQUIRE

Possible Answers:

Dissolve

Obtain

Clarify

Comprehend

Label

Correct answer:

Obtain

Explanation:

"Acquire" means obtain, so "obtain" is the correct answer. "Dissolve" means disppear or  break down. "Label" means attach a tag containing information to an item. "Comprehend" means understand. "Clarify" means make clearer or easier to understand.

Example Question #2104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BESTOW

Possible Answers:

Realize

Store

Join

Give

Take

Correct answer:

Give

Explanation:

"Bestow" means to present as a gift. "Give" is the best answer as it means to hand to someone. Considering the other choices, "join" means to bring into contact, "realize" means to understand, "store" means to put away for future use, and "take" means to get in one's possession.

Example Question #2105 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PIRATE

Possible Answers:

Detain

Steal

Seize

Classify

Elaborate

Correct answer:

Steal

Explanation:

When used as a verb, "pirate" means to plunder or "steal." "Classify" means to put in groups with similar characteristics. "Elaborate," when used as a verb, means to expand or provide additional details. "Detain" means to hold a person in a location or imprison. "Seize" means to grab or to take possession of something, usually without the owner's permission.

Example Question #2106 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASSIMILATE

Possible Answers:

Learn

Assist

Subsume

Recover

Portray

Correct answer:

Subsume

Explanation:

"Assimilate" is a verb that has several different meanings, including absorb ideas or people into a group. While "assist" may look like a potentially correct answer, the meaning of "assist" does not match any of the meanings of "assimilate," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Subsume," however, is a verb meaning include or absorb, and since "subsume" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "assimilate," "subsume" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2107 : Identifying Synonyms

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

USURP

Possible Answers:

Seize

Protect

Demand

Retaliate

Disband

Correct answer:

Seize

Explanation:

"Usurp" means seize or overthrow, so "seize" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2108 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FORSAKE. 

Possible Answers:

Limit 

Encourage

Assuage 

Abandon 

Condemn 

Correct answer:

Abandon 

Explanation:

To “forsake” something means to abandon it. For clarification, "condemn" means to declare something is wrong or bad; "assuage" means alleviate, calm or make better.

Example Question #2109 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RENDER

Possible Answers:

Wonder

Churn

Provide

Send

Ripple

Correct answer:

Provide

Explanation:

"Render" means to provide something, usually a service or a kind of help.

Example Question #2110 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXPLOIT

Possible Answers:

Abuse

Rotate

Expel

Provoke

Persuade

Correct answer:

Abuse

Explanation:

"Exploit" means take advantage of or use for one's own gain, so "abuse," which means misuse, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "exploit" and "abuse": "persuade" means convince; "rotate" means spin or revolve; "expel" means banish or oust; and "provoke" means precipitate or enrage.

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