SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #598 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LARGESSE

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Happiness

Stinginess 

Fear

Generosity 

Correct answer:

Generosity 

Explanation:

“Largesse” refers to the generous giving of gifts or money, so the correct answer is generosity. For clarification, stinginess is an antonym of generosity.

Example Question #641 : Synonyms

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

SAGACITY

Possible Answers:

Perpetuity

Foolishness

Wisdom

Oblivion

Premonition

Correct answer:

Wisdom

Explanation:

"Sagacity" means wisdom. "Foolishness" is an antonym of "sagacity"; it means stupidity or silliness. None of the other words have the same meaning as "sagacity." "Premonition" means a feeling about what will happen in the future, usually something bad. "Persistence" means the refusal to quit at a difficult task or the existence of something over time. "Oblivion" means unconsciousness.

Example Question #642 : Synonyms

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

HALLUCINATION

Possible Answers:

Feeling

Olfaction

Palate

Vision

Hunch

Correct answer:

Vision

Explanation:

The word "vision" can be used to describe a "hallucination;" these words are synonyms describing seeing imagined objects in one's mind. The other words primarily describe human senses.

Example Question #643 : Synonyms

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

IMAGE

Possible Answers:

System

Syllable

Pixel

Waveform

Symbol

Correct answer:

Symbol

Explanation:

In this problem, the words "image" and "symbol" are closest in meaning. Although options like "waveform" or "pixel" may seem somewhat related, the meanings of "image" and "symbol" are more closely tied, they both refer to something used to stand in for or represent.

Example Question #644 : Synonyms

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

ABERRATION

Possible Answers:

Hegemony

Tempest

Anomaly

Injury

Decline

Correct answer:

Anomaly

Explanation:

An "aberration" is an anomaly, a deviation from what is normal. An "injury' is a wound, a "tempest" is a storm, and a "decline" is the opposite of an increase. "Hegemony" means supremacy or dominance and is usually used in a negative context.

Example Question #645 : Synonyms

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

EMPHASIS

Possible Answers:

Polity

Amity

Constituent

Accent

Anomaly

Correct answer:

Accent

Explanation:

To "emphasize" something is to accent or underscore it. A "constituent" is a component of something larger or, depending on context, a voting person. "Amity" means friendship, and "polity" means a geographic area (such as a city or state) with a government. An "anomaly" is an aberration.

Example Question #646 : Synonyms

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

SPLEEN

Possible Answers:

Hunger

Wrath

Indolence

Philanthropy

Acumen

Correct answer:

Wrath

Explanation:

While "spleen" sometimes describes a body part, it is also a word for extreme anger and wrath. "Philanthropy" is charity, and "acumen" is sharpness or shrewdness. "Indolence" means laziness.

Example Question #647 : Synonyms

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

SINCERITY

Possible Answers:

Humility

Temerity

Timidity

Empathy

Candor

Correct answer:

Candor

Explanation:

To be "sincere" is to be candid and forthright. "Humility" and "modesty" are near synonyms, as are "empathy" and "sympathy." "Timidity" means meekness or shyness. "Temerity" means boldness.

Example Question #648 : Synonyms

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

ALACRITY

Possible Answers:

Opulence

Insanity

Hegemony

Liveliness

Tyranny

Correct answer:

Liveliness

Explanation:

"Alacrity" means liveliness or eagerness, depending on the context. "Hegemony" means supremacy or authoritarian dominance. A "tyranny" is a dictatorship, and "opulence" means luxury and wealth. "Insanity" means craziness.

Example Question #649 : Synonyms

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

WRATH

Possible Answers:

Ghost

Duplicity

Mendacity

Specter

Fury

Correct answer:

Fury

Explanation:

"Wrath" means extreme rage or fury. "Wraith" is a word for phantom, but don't mix up the two. "Mendacity" and "duplicity" are both synonyms for dishonesty.

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