SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #391 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ACUMEN. 

Possible Answers:

Coalesce

Account 

Imply 

Appoint 

Insight 

Correct answer:

Insight 

Explanation:

“Acumen” is a noun that refers to the sharpness of mind and describes someone who can make quick and insightful decisions; therefore the best available synonym is “insight” which means perceptiveness. For clarification, "imply" means to suggest without directly expressing; "coalesce" means to merge or bring things together.

Example Question #392 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CADENCE. 

Possible Answers:

Rhythm

Ability 

Wardrobe 

Capability 

Desire 

Correct answer:

Rhythm

Explanation:

“Cadence” refers to the rhythm of something, such as a dance or a march. For clarification, "desire" means will or passionate wanting of something; "capability" means level of ability.

Example Question #393 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

APHORISM.

Possible Answers:

A distant friendship 

A calculated decision

A finite date 

A short saying 

A ponderous tome 

Correct answer:

A short saying 

Explanation:

An “aphorism” is a succinct statement or saying. For clarification, "succinct" means short and brief; "ponderous" means slow and heavy; "tome" refers to a large, dense book; "finite" is a limited or fixed number of something.

Example Question #394 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ZEITGEIST

Possible Answers:

Spirit of the time

Political gridlock

Words of wisdom 

Home-grown

Fair judgment 

Correct answer:

Spirit of the time

Explanation:

“Zeitgeist” is an English word originally drawn from the German language. It means the ideas commonly expressed in a certain place or era, so the best answer choice would have to be spirit of the time.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AMALGAMATION.

Possible Answers:

Location 

Absence 

Union 

Separation

Suspension 

Correct answer:

Union 

Explanation:

An “amalgamation” is a coming together, a union. The term is most commonly used to describe a business merger, but it can be used to describe any coming together in general.

Example Question #353 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: find the words that match most closely.

ANOMALY

Possible Answers:

Peculiarity

Disappointment

Frankness

Chagrin

Palate

Correct answer:

Peculiarity

Explanation:

"Anomaly" means something that deviates from what is standard, or pecularity.

Example Question #354 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: find the words that match most closely.

TREND

Possible Answers:

Balloon

Race

Course

Eradication

Match

Correct answer:

Course

Explanation:

A "trend" is the general something is going, or its course.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Synonyms: find the words that match most closely.

CAUCUS

Possible Answers:

Celebration

Hunt

Noise

Assembly

Practice

Correct answer:

Assembly

Explanation:

A "caucus" is a meeting or assembly within a political party.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Synonyms: find the words that match most closely.

IDEOLOGY

Possible Answers:

Beliefs

Oddities

Emotions

Norms

Elaboration

Correct answer:

Beliefs

Explanation:

"Ideology" is a system of beliefs belonging to a group of people.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Synonyms: find the words that match most closely.

GRATITUDE

Possible Answers:

Beneficiary

Contrast

Marble

Thankfulness

Understanding

Correct answer:

Thankfulness

Explanation:

"Gratitude" is thankfulness.

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