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:

Appease

Aspire

Pretend

Convene 

Quit

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:

Allow

Forget 

Prohibit 

Supply 

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:

Quarreling

Whispering

Communicating

Talking

Assisting

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

Enable

Yearn

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:

None of the above

skipped

left

stuffed

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:

walked

glided

ran

None of the above

stopped

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:

sit

None of the above

stayed

stuck

sat

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:

speak

magnify

shrink

extend

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:

dripped

exploded

left

None of the above

crept

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:

replace

lose

None of the above

move

combine

Correct answer:

combine

Explanation:

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

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