SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #261 : Synonyms

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

FAUNA

Possible Answers:

Children

Animals

Humans

Plants

Extraterrestrials

Correct answer:

Animals

Explanation:

The noun "fauna" is an all-encompassing term that means animals. It is usually accompanied by "flora" which means plants, as in "The Flora and Fauna of the continental United States." Additionally, "extraterrestrials" are aliens, literally creatures from beyond the Earth.

Example Question #262 : Synonyms

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

MAELSTROM

Possible Answers:

Ferocity

Harbinger

Ditty

Tempest

Paucity

Correct answer:

Tempest

Explanation:

A "maelstrom" is a "tempest" or intense storm. "Ferocity" is fierceness, and "paucity" is scarcity. A "ditty" is a short, simple tune. "Harbinger" and "omen" are synonyms.

Example Question #263 : Synonyms

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

FECUNDITY

Possible Answers:

Fertility

Aplomb

Sarcophagus

Aridity

Constituent

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 #264 : Synonyms

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

HARANGUE

Possible Answers:

Cicatrix

Sanctuary

Rant

Vivacity

Amity

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 #265 : Synonyms

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

LARCENY

Possible Answers:

Amiability

Nadir

Theft

Lassitude

Zenith

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 #266 : Synonyms

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

EPOCH

Possible Answers:

Congestion

Era

Strait

Aegis

Verge

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 #267 : Synonyms

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

PROGENY

Possible Answers:

Offspring

Missionary

Sycophant

Instigator

Itinerant

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 #268 : Synonyms

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

BATTERY

Possible Answers:

Ruse

Assault

Disposition

Plight

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 #269 : Synonyms

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

RENDITION

Possible Answers:

Flora

Courier

Performance

Abnegation

Muse

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 #270 : Synonyms

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

ITINERARY

Possible Answers:

Vagrancy

Lyric

Ambulance

Vagrancy

Schedule

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.

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