SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #231 : Synonyms

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Aspire

Quit

Appease

Pretend

Convene 

Correct answer:

Appease

Explanation:

"Placate" most nearly means to appease or to calm through agreement. The words "pretend," "aspire," "quit," and "convene" have no relation to the word "placate." "Aspire" means to direct one's ambitions towards a goal (for example, "She aspires to be a doctor.") "Convene" most nearly means to bring together in a group.

Example Question #232 : Synonyms

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

CONDONE

Possible Answers:

Forget 

Prohibit 

Supply 

Allow

Condemn

Correct answer:

Allow

Explanation:

"Condone" is a verb that means to allow or forgive. A typical example would be an authority figure who "condones" a subordinate's behavior. "Supply" and "forget" have no relation to the word "condone," while "prohibit" and "condemn" are antonyms. Therefore, the correct answer is "allow." 

Example Question #233 : Synonyms

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

ARGUING

Possible Answers:

Communicating

Quarreling

Whispering

Assisting

Talking

Correct answer:

Quarreling

Explanation:

"Arguing" involves a disagreement between two or more people who hold different views on a topic. "Quarreling" is the best synonym of "arguing."

Incorrect Answers:

"Talking" means to speak.

"Whispering" means to speak quietly.

"Communicating" involves the sharing of information.

"Assisting" means to help someone else.

Example Question #234 : Synonyms

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

CONFESS

Possible Answers:

Ponder

Create

Acknowledge

Yearn

Enable

Correct answer:

Acknowledge

Explanation:

"Confess" means to accept fault for something. "Acknowledge," which means to admit guilt, is the best synonym of "confess."

Incorrect Answers:

"Yearn" indicates a desire to do something.

"Ponder" means to think about.

"Enable" involves giving someone the power to do something.

"Create" means bring something into existence.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The young boy was so hungry that he gorged himself on dinner.  

Possible Answers:

left

stuffed

None of the above

skipped

missed

Correct answer:

stuffed

Explanation:

To stuff yourself with food would be the same thing as to gorge yourself. Both meaning "over-eating." 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The snake slithered effortlessly across the the grass.

Possible Answers:

ran

None of the above

stopped

walked

glided

Correct answer:

glided

Explanation:

Slithered and glided both refer to the snake's movement.  

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The grasshopper leapt from my hands.  

Possible Answers:

sat

sit

stuck

None of the above

stayed

Correct answer:

None of the above

Explanation:

None of the above words describe that the grasshopper jumped or left the person's hands. 

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

A synonym of “stretch” is __________.

Possible Answers:

extend

shrink

magnify

speak

consider

Correct answer:

extend

Explanation:

“Stretch” is a verb that refers to things that are soft or elastic and means “be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “be made longer.” That means that “shrink” cannot be the correct answer, because “shrink” means “to become or make smaller in size or amount,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “stretch.” “Extend,” however, is a verb that means “cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider,” and because “extend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “stretch,” “extend” is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

The volcano's lava burst into the sky.

Possible Answers:

left

dripped

crept

None of the above

exploded

Correct answer:

exploded

Explanation:

The word "exploded" could replace "burst" to describe how the lava erupts from the top of a volcano. 

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

We had to merge two packs of sugar to create one cup.

Possible Answers:

combine

lose

move

None of the above

replace

Correct answer:

combine

Explanation:

"Merge" can replaced with "combine" to maintain a similar meaning.

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