SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #89 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

IMPRESARIO

Possible Answers:

Producer

Magician

Mountebank

Surrogate

Physician

Correct answer:

Producer

Explanation:

An "impresario" is a person who produced or managed theatrical performances. This is not the same thing as a "magician" or a mountebank (trickster). A "physician" is a doctor, and a "surrogate" is a stand-in, a substitute.

Example Question #131 : Synonyms

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

AMANUESIS

Possible Answers:

Fugitive

Philanderer

Assistant

Gourmand

Ignoramus

Correct answer:

Assistant

Explanation:

An "amanuensis" is an "assistant," specifically one for musical or artistic endeavors. A "fugitive" is an outlaw, while a "philanderer" is an adulterer or lothario. A "gourmand" is a glutton, someone who eats too much. An "ignoramus" is another word for an ignorant person or a dunce.

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

APOTHECARY

Possible Answers:

Charlatan

Mercenary

Pharmacist

Bumpkin

Outlaw

Correct answer:

Pharmacist

Explanation:

An "apothecary" is an old-fashioned "pharmacist" or herbalist. A "charlatan" is a trickster or a hack, and a "bumpkin" is a crude, rustic person. A "mercenary" is a soldier-for-hire, a brigand. An "outlaw" is someone on the run from the law, a fugitive.

Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

MENDICANT

Possible Answers:

Pugilist

Beggar

Hustler

Debtor

Nomad

Correct answer:

Beggar

Explanation:

The noun "mendicant" means beggar, person who lives on the street and begs for money. Additionally, a "pugilist" is a fighter, a boxer; a "nomad" is someone who wanders from place to place, without a permanent home; a "debtor" is someone who owes money; a "hustler" is someone who tricks people out of money.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

CHARLATAN

Possible Answers:

Quack

Wraith

Curate

Pariah

Cleric

Correct answer:

Quack

Explanation:

A "charlatan" is a "quack," a swindler. A "pariah" is an outcast, and a "cleric" is a religious leader. Similarly, a "curate" is a clergyman. A "wraith" is a ghost, a phantom.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

ADJUDICATOR

Possible Answers:

Villain

Glutton

Judge

Maverick

Educator

Correct answer:

Judge

Explanation:

An "adjudicator" is a "judge," an arbiter. A "glutton" is someone who overeats, and a "maverick" is a nonconformist. An "educator" is a teacher. A "villain" is an evil person.

Example Question #95 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

TRUANT

Possible Answers:

Runaway

Idolater

Charlatan

Interpreter

Assistant

Correct answer:

Runaway

Explanation:

A "truant" is a "runaway," a delinquent. An "idolater" is a person who worships idols. An "assistant" is a helper, a deputy, an underling. An "interpreter" is a translator, and a "charlatan" is a fraud or quack.

Example Question #96 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

LIBERTINE

Possible Answers:

Philanderer

Mendicant

Chaplain

Accomplice

Liberal

Correct answer:

Philanderer

Explanation:

A "libertine" is a "philanderer," a casanova, a rake. This is not the same thing as a "liberal," a person who holds social beliefs opposite from a conservative. A "chaplain" is a member of the clergy. A "mendicant" is a beggar. An "accomplice" is a helper or accessory.

Example Question #97 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

SURROGATE

Possible Answers:

Sylph

Speechmaker

Substitute

Murderer

oculist

Correct answer:

Substitute

Explanation:

A "surrogate" is a stand-in, proxy, or "substitute." A "murderer" is a killer, and an "orator" is a speechmaker. "Oculist" is an old-fashioned word for ophthalmologist or eye doctor. A "sylph" is a sprite or fairy.

Example Question #98 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

ARBITER

Possible Answers:

Tyro

Lackey

Judge

Aficionado

Neophyte

Correct answer:

Judge

Explanation:

"Arbiter" is another word for arbitrator or "judge." A "neophyte" is a tyro or beginner. "Lackey" is a synonym for flunky, assistant, or servant. "Aficionado" is a synonym for "connoisseur."

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