SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FINANCIER

Possible Answers:

Authority

Officer

Backer

Mapmaker

Official

Correct answer:

Backer

Explanation:

"Financier" can refer to someone who invests financially in some venture. This kind of individual can also be referred to as a "backer." The other nouns are not at all related to money or finances. "Mapmaker" is completely unrelated. The words "officer," "authority," and "official" can all be lumped together as synonymous with each other but not with "financier."

Example Question #50 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

CHAPLAIN

Possible Answers:

Bureacrat

Priest

Patriarch

Merchant

Sailor

Correct answer:

Priest

Explanation:

A "chaplain" is a type of religious leader most similar to a pastor or priest. A "bureaucrat" is someone who holds a government post, and a "patriarch" is the male leader of a family or organization. A "sailor" is someone who sails on ships for a living, and a "merchant" is someone who buys and sells goods for a living.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

AVIATOR

Possible Answers:

Cleric

Pilot

Acolyte

Lunatic

Entrepreneur

Correct answer:

Pilot

Explanation:

An "aviator" is someone who flies planes for a living, a pilot. An "entrepreneur" is a businessperson. A "lunatic" is a madman or madwoman. An "acolyte" is a follower or aide, often of a powerful religious figure. A "cleric" is a religious leader.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PEDAGOGUE

Possible Answers:

Orator

Zealot

Brigand

Teacher

Victor

Correct answer:

Teacher

Explanation:

A "pedagogue" is someone who teaches. An "orator" is someone who delivers speeches. A "zealot" is a fanatic, and a "brigand" is a robber. "Victor" and "winner" are synonyms.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

NOMAD

Possible Answers:

Orator

Vagabond

Accountant

Homebody

Pastor

Correct answer:

Vagabond

Explanation:

A "nomad" is someone with no fixed home. This is an antonym of "homebody," someone who is very rooted to his or her dwelling. An "accountant" is someone who works with finance and numbers for a living, and a "pastor" is a Christian minister. An "orator" is someone who makes speeches.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ORATOR

Possible Answers:

Specter

Wraith

Artisan

Emissary

Speechmaker

Correct answer:

Speechmaker

Explanation:

An "orator" is someone who delivers speeches. An "artisan" is a craftsman, and an "emissary" is an ambassador. "Wraith" and "specter" are both synonyms for ghost.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ENTREPENEUR

Possible Answers:

Aviator

Medic

Chaplain

Businessperson

Salesman

Correct answer:

Businessperson

Explanation:

An "entrepreneur" is a businessperson, usually one who takes risks to invest in new ideas. Many "salespeople" act as or are involved with "entrepreneurs," but the two are not necessarily synonymous. A "medic" is someone who performs medicine. A "chaplain" is someone who performs religious duties. An "aviator" is a pilot.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

INTERPRETER

Possible Answers:

Orator

Translator

Programmer

Scholar

Politician

Correct answer:

Translator

Explanation:

An "interpreter" is someone who translates languages for other people. An "orator" is a speechmaker, and a "politician" is someone involved with the running of governments. A "programmer" typically writes computer or machinery programs. While "scholars" of language may be "translators" as well, the two words are not synonymous.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DULLARD

Possible Answers:

Florist

Scoundrel

Ignoramus

Tyro

Wag

Correct answer:

Ignoramus

Explanation:

A dullard" is a dunce, ignoramus, or stupid person. A "florist" sells flowers, and a "wag" is a wit, someone who is mischievous and funny. A "tyro" is a novice; a "scoundrel" is a rogue.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FUGITIVE

Possible Answers:

Vagabond

Rogue

Outlaw

Damsel

Chef

Correct answer:

Outlaw

Explanation:

A "fugitive" is an outlaw, someone on the run from the law. A "vagabond" is a nomad or a wanderer, and a "chef" is a professional cook. A "damsel" is an old-fashioned term for a maiden or a young girl. A "rogue" is another word for a scoundrel. Many "fugitives" are "scoundrels," but the two words are not directly synonymous, merely related.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors