SSAT Elementary Level Verbal › Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHANGE
Alteration
Leftovers
Scraps
Excess
Remnant
The noun "change" is closest in meaning to "alteration." These words are synonymous. All of the other answer choices are a) not related to the word "change" and b) closely related to each other. If you recognize all of the answer choices that mean nearly the same thing to each other, you can easily find the answer choice that stands out as being unrelated to the other incorrect choices.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HIT
Success
Region
Area
District
Zone
Note that the words "zone," "district," "area," and "region" are all very closely related in meaning. Notice that they are all nouns. This is a good indication that the word "hit" should be understood as a noun (meaning success), instead of a verb (meaning to harm something physically). "Hit" and "success" are synonyms: "The song was a hit!". The other words are not related to the word "hit."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MIND
Care
Elbow
Socket
Live
Mine
The word "mind" is synonymous with "care." Consider how you might use these words in a sentence. "I don't mind" and "I don't care" both mean the same thing. The other answer choices are completely unrelated to the word "mind." The word "mine" might seem to have a similar root; however, consider all the possible meanings you know for the word "mine." Is there any direct connection between the word "mine" and the word "mind"? There is not.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ILLUMINATION
Light
Darkness
Climate
Arrest
Power
"Illumination" comes from the root verb "illuminate" which means to light something up. The suffix "-ion" indicates a noun.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TAPE
Paste
Camera
Photographer
Director
Cut
The verbs "tape" and "paste" are closest in meaning. Both words refer the action of combining two things using an adhesive or sticky material. The other words are related to videography or filmmaking. A "cut," in film, can refer to a sudden change of a shot. Words with multiple meanings can be tricky; look for a clear relationship between the meaning of the words.
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TOPPLE
Overthrow
Whirl
Bluff
Straighten
Increase
"Topple" means to fall or to cause to fall and can be used in a literal, physical sense, like "The tree the lumberjack had been chopping at for an hour finally toppled over," or it can be used in a metaphorical sense, like "The prejudiced government was toppled and a new, more egalitarian one was established in its place." So, "overthrow," which means unseat from a role of power through the use of force, is the correct answer, as it is close in meaning to the second described meaning of "topple."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VENT
Express
Ignite
Spark
Burn
Venerate
The words "vent" and "express" are synonyms. To "vent" your emotions means to "express" them in a way that brings you some relief. The other words do not have similar meanings. "Venerate" might seem similar, but it actually means to "praise" someone.
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
VULNERABLE
Undefended
Angry
Reckless
Sad
Frightened
If a castle wall or a defense is “vulnerable,” it is open to an attack or lacking a defense. It is similar in meaning to "undefended," which means not defended. To further help you, if you are “reckless,” you do not consider the results of your actions; “frightened” means scared.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXCHANGE
Trade
Buy
Study
Wander
Practice
The prefix "ex_-_" means out of or away from and the word “change” means to make or become different, so when you “exchange” something, you give away one thing and get something different in return for it. This is most similar in meaning to “trade.” To provide further help, “study” means to review and practice material to learn it; and “wander” means to walk around without a destination.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LOW
Unsophisticated
High
Elevated
Sophisticated
Elegant
The word "low" can be used to describe someone or something "unsophisticated": "Belching at the dinner table is quite low behavior." All of the other answer choices are antonyms of the word "low." Note that "unsophisticated" stands out not only because it is the opposite of "sophisticated," but because it is also the only word with a slightly negative sense.