SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FECUNDITY

Possible Answers:

Fertility

Sarcophagus

Aridity

Constituent

Aplomb

Correct answer:

Fertility

Explanation:

"Fecund" means "fertile" and fruitful. "Aridity" is dryness, and "aplomb" is poise. A "sarcophagus" is an elaborate coffin. A "constituent" is a voting person or a component of something bigger, depending on the context.

Example Question #222 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARANGUE

Possible Answers:

Vivacity

Sanctuary

Amity

Rant

Cicatrix

Correct answer:

Rant

Explanation:

A "harangue" is a "rant" or a tirade. "Vivacity" is liveliness, and "amity" is friendship. "Sanctuary" and "asylum" are synonyms, as are "cicatrix" and "scar."

Example Question #223 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LARCENY

Possible Answers:

Zenith

Lassitude

Nadir

Amiability

Theft

Correct answer:

Theft

Explanation:

"Larceny" is a more formal term for "theft." The "nadir" of something is its low point (literal or figurative), while the "zenith" of something is its high point. "Amiability" is friendliness, and "lassitude" is lethargy.

Example Question #224 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EPOCH

Possible Answers:

Strait

Verge

Congestion

Era

Aegis

Correct answer:

Era

Explanation:

The noun "epoch" refers to a period of time, an "era" of history. Additionally, a "strait" is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water; the "verge" is the edge of something; "congestion" is the state of being blocked up; "aegis" is protection, support, 'backing.'

Example Question #225 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROGENY

Possible Answers:

Missionary

Itinerant

Instigator

Offspring

Sycophant

Correct answer:

Offspring

Explanation:

The noun "progeny" means child of, "offspring." Additionally, "sycophant" means flatterer, someone who is excessively fawning and obsequious; a "missionary" is someone on a religious mission to a foreign country with the intention of converting the native population; an "instigator" is someone who starts conflict, the person who caused a fight; an "itinerant" means a person who travels all the time, a nomad, a wanderer.

Example Question #226 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BATTERY

Possible Answers:

Plight

Assault

Disposition

Ruse

Ovation

Correct answer:

Assault

Explanation:

The noun "battery" means assault, the act of violently attacking someone. Additionally, "disposition" means character, personality, behavior; "ovation" means applause; "ruse" means trick, a deception; "plight" means danger, a difficult or challenging situation that is dangerous.

Example Question #227 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RENDITION

Possible Answers:

Muse

Flora

Performance

Courier

Abnegation

Correct answer:

Performance

Explanation:

The noun "rendition" means a performance, something spoken or performed aloud in front of others. Additionally, a "muse" is inspiration for a piece of artwork; a "courier" is a messenger; "flora" is plants; "abnegation" is denial, the act of rejecting something.

Example Question #228 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ITINERARY

Possible Answers:

Vagrancy

Schedule

Vagrancy

Ambulance

Lyric

Correct answer:

Schedule

Explanation:

An "itinerary" is a list of events and times: a "schedule." An "ambulance" is a medical vehicle used for transporting wounded or ill people. "Vagrancy" is a synonym for "itinerancy," which is a similar sounding word. A "lyric" is a line of words from a song or a genre of poem.

Example Question #229 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INVECTIVE

Possible Answers:

Eminence

Heroic conduct

Social confusion

Acumen

Verbal abuse

Correct answer:

Verbal abuse

Explanation:

"Invective" is "verbal abuse," a tirade, or a harangue. It is not "social confusion" or "heroic conduct" or behavior. "Eminence" is prominence, and "acumen" is shrewdness or intelligence.

Example Question #230 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PREAMBLE

Possible Answers:

Assumption

Detection

Document

Introduction

Alarm

Correct answer:

Introduction

Explanation:

A "preamble" is a synonym for "introduction," usually in the context of written documents. While a "preamble" appears in many documents, it is not necessarily synonymous with "document." "Detection" is the act of detecting or noticing something, and "presumption" is a near synonym for "assumption."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors