SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ACQUIT

Possible Answers:

Imprision

Ignore

Judge

Sentence

Exonerate

Correct answer:

Exonerate

Explanation:

When someone is “acquitted” of an action, he or she is “forgiven” or set free from any sort of charges of that action. For instance, someone “acquitted of murder” is judged to be innocent of the crime. The word “exonerate” best matches this usage. It means to remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaning to lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” means out of or away from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaning burdensome or difficult.

Example Question #2231 : Synonyms

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

VERBOSE

Possible Answers:

Literal

Literary

Soft-spoken

Conjugated

Wordy

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

MALICE

Possible Answers:

Information

Courage

Presentation

Malevolence

Benevolence

Correct answer:

Malevolence

Explanation:

"Malice" means evil or the quality of desiring to harm others. So, the correct answer is "malevolence," which also means the quality of desiring to harm others. 

Example Question #2232 : Synonyms

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

Subterfuge

Possible Answers:

Information

Underground

Grain

Evasion

Onset

Correct answer:

Evasion

Explanation:

"Subterfuge" means a stratagem used to evade a consequence or conceal something. The best answer choice is "evasion." The Latin root word, "subter," means secretly, and the Latin root word, "fugere," means to flee.

Example Question #2233 : Synonyms

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Perfect

Captivating

Regimented 

Volatile

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

Benevolent means kind, friendly, or charitable.  The root word "bene" means good or well. 

Example Question #2234 : Synonyms

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Violent

Flexible

Harmless

Urgent

Kindly

Correct answer:

Kindly

Explanation:

Someone who is benevolent is kindly, helpful, or friendly. The root word is "bene," Latin for "good."

Example Question #2235 : Synonyms

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

CIRCUMLOCUTION

Possible Answers:

Journey

Incoherence

Evasion

Spin

Wandering

Correct answer:

Evasion

Explanation:

Circumlocution is the act of talking around the point instead of getting directly to it; it's speaking evasively or indirectly. The roots are "circum", Latin for "around", and "locut-" Latin for "speaking;" "circumlocution" is "around-speaking."

Example Question #2236 : Synonyms

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

COGENT

Possible Answers:

Deluded

Machine-like

Convincing

Hidden

Urgent

Correct answer:

Convincing

Explanation:

Something that is cogent is logical, sensible, and intelligent. It comes from the Latin root "cog-" meaning "think/know", as in "cognition" (the act of thinking or knowing) and "incognito" (unknown, or under cover).

Example Question #2237 : Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Rotting

Unified

Thoughtful

Obese

Correct answer:

Obese

Explanation:

Someone who is corpulent is very fat, or obese. This comes from the Latin root "corp-", meaning body, as in "corpse" and "incorporate."

Example Question #2238 : Synonyms

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

CREDULITY

Possible Answers:

Hilarity

Misery

Cruelty

Fidelity

Gullibility

Correct answer:

Gullibility

Explanation:

Credulity is the condition of being eager to believe something, so the synonym is gullibility. The Latin root here is "cred-", which means to believe, as in "credit" (being willing to trust or believe someone or something), and "incredible" (unbelievable).

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