SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #581 : Synonyms

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

BEHOLDEN

Possible Answers:

Bored

Atomic

Free

Indebted

Miserable

Correct answer:

Indebted

Explanation:

“Beholden” is an adjective that means “owing thanks for help or a service,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “owing thanks for something.” That means that “free” cannot be the correct answer, because “free” can mean “not subject to obligations,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “beholden.” “Indebted,” however, is an adjective that means either “owing money” or “owing gratitude for a service or favor,” and because “indebted” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “beholden,” “indebted” is the correct answer.

Example Question #582 : Synonyms

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

ANECDOTE

Possible Answers:

Misdemeanor

Story

Canopy

Eulogy

Disturbance

Correct answer:

Story

Explanation:

An "anecdote" is a short story, typically drawn from personal experience.

Example Question #583 : Synonyms

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

DISCOURSE

Possible Answers:

Conversation

Nook

Empowerment

Introduction

Musk

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

"Discourse" means conversation or group of conversations.  

Example Question #584 : Synonyms

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

ALLUSION

Possible Answers:

Stain

Reference

Banter

Apathy

Forgiveness

Correct answer:

Reference

Explanation:

An "allusion" is a casual reference to something.

Example Question #585 : Synonyms

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

AFFRONT

Possible Answers:

Chant

Sanity

Insult

Arrangement

Rigor

Correct answer:

Insult

Explanation:

An "affront" is an insult. The origin of this word is the Latin phrase "ad frontem," which means "at the forehead."

Example Question #586 : Synonyms

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

PAUCITY

Possible Answers:

Espionage

Scarcity 

Decibel

Alacrity

Annotation

Correct answer:

Scarcity 

Explanation:

"Paucity" means scarcity or small quantity.  

Example Question #587 : Synonyms

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

AUDACITY

Possible Answers:

Substitution

Background

Refund

Boldness

Insult

Correct answer:

Boldness

Explanation:

"Audacity" means boldness or daring, especially without shame or thought of personal safety.

Example Question #588 : Synonyms

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

ONUS

Possible Answers:

Advancement

Manifesto

Burden

Hope

Trickery

Correct answer:

Burden

Explanation:

An "onus" is a burden or responsibility.

Example Question #589 : Synonyms

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

CANDOR

Possible Answers:

Recollection

Gestation

Disintegration

Honesty

Intensity

Correct answer:

Honesty

Explanation:

"Candor" means the quality of being open and honest.

Example Question #590 : Synonyms

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

RECONNAISSANCE

Possible Answers:

Future

Symmetry

Vendor

Espionage

Morality

Correct answer:

Espionage

Explanation:

"Reconnaissance" and "espionage" both mean the act of spying.

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