SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #219 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FAUNA

Possible Answers:

Animals

Children

Plants

Humans

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 #220 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MAELSTROM

Possible Answers:

Paucity

Tempest

Ferocity

Harbinger

Ditty

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 #221 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FECUNDITY

Possible Answers:

Sarcophagus

Aridity

Fertility

Aplomb

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 #222 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

HARANGUE

Possible Answers:

Cicatrix

Sanctuary

Amity

Rant

Vivacity

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 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

LARCENY

Possible Answers:

Nadir

Zenith

Lassitude

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 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

EPOCH

Possible Answers:

Verge

Congestion

Aegis

Era

Strait

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 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PROGENY

Possible Answers:

Offspring

Missionary

Instigator

Itinerant

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 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

BATTERY

Possible Answers:

Plight

Ovation

Ruse

Disposition

Assault

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 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

RENDITION

Possible Answers:

Abnegation

Muse

Flora

Courier

Performance

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 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ITINERARY

Possible Answers:

Lyric

Ambulance

Schedule

Vagrancy

Vagrancy

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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