SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

STUDY

Possible Answers:

Change

Recover

Examine

Find

Abandon

Correct answer:

Examine

Explanation:

To "study" something means either to learn about it in an academic setting, or to inspect or examine it in order to learn about it. "Examine" is thus the correct answer. While you can "find" or "recover" something and then "study" it, the meanings of these words are different. Oftentimes when you study something, you don't want to "change" it. The best answer choice is "examine."

Example Question #7 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

LEGEND

Possible Answers:

Key

System

Belief

Opposite

Correct answer:

Key

Explanation:

A "legend" can be a story that describes extraordinary achievements with unknown origins, like a myth or a fable. A "legend" can also be a key, or guide. For example: every map has a legend that explains what each of the symbols means.

Example Question #8 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

VENT

Possible Answers:

Venerate

Express

Ignite

Burn

Spark

Correct answer:

Express

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #9 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

LOW

Possible Answers:

Sophisticated

Elevated

Elegant

High

Unsophisticated

Correct answer:

Unsophisticated

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #10 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

PARTY

Possible Answers:

Death

Group

Burial

Funeral

Wake

Correct answer:

Group

Explanation:

The word "party" can mean "celebration" or, in this case, it can refer to a "group" of people: "Your party is ready to be seated." Note that all of the other answer choices are closely related, referring to ceremonies held when a person dies. "Death" is perhaps the most obvious word to cross out in your process of elimination.

Example Question #781 : Synonyms

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

TONE

Possible Answers:

Illness

Sound

Muscles

Frame

Well-being

Correct answer:

Sound

Explanation:

The word "tone" can be used to describe the quality of a "sound." These words are closest in meaning. The other answer choices really have nothing to do with the correct answer choice. They refer primarily to health and the human body. "Frame," for example, refers to the shape of someone's body.

Example Question #782 : Synonyms

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

PICTURE

Possible Answers:

Sculpt

Draw

Illustrate

Make

Imagine

Correct answer:

Imagine

Explanation:

The word "picture" can be used as a verb meaning to "imagine" something: "Picture yourself on a beach in Hawaii." The other words have to do with artistic production. Although a word like "draw" makes sense when we say something like "draw a picture," the verb "draw" does not mean the same as the verb "picture."

Example Question #783 : Synonyms

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

MIND

Possible Answers:

Elbow

Mine

Care

Live

Socket

Correct answer:

Care

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #784 : Synonyms

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

MINE

Possible Answers:

His

Dig

Yours

Theirs

Ours

Correct answer:

Dig

Explanation:

The verbs "mine" and "dig" are synonymous. "Digging" into the earth to look for precious metals or other minerals is referred to as "mining." Note that all of the other options are possessive pronouns. They all refer to something as belonging to someone else. If I use the possessive pronoun "mine," I do so to refer to something that belongs to me (not someone else).

Example Question #785 : Synonyms

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

FINE

Possible Answers:

Poor

Poverty

Penmanship

Impoverished

Penalty

Correct answer:

Penalty

Explanation:

The nouns "fine" and "penalty" are closest in meaning. A "penalty" is a punishment imposed on someone for their wrongdoing. A "fine" is a financial punishment. The adjective "fine" means something very different. Consider the following sentences: "He feels fine" vs. "He had to pay a fine for running the stop sign." Note that none of the remaining answer choices are synonymous with the word "fine" (neither as an adjective nor as a noun).

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