SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

TAPE

Possible Answers:

Paste

Cut

Director

Camera 

Photographer

Correct answer:

Paste

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

CHANGE

Possible Answers:

Scraps

Remnant

Alteration

Leftovers

Excess

Correct answer:

Alteration

Explanation:

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. 

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

HIT

Possible Answers:

Area

Region 

District

Zone

Success

Correct answer:

Success

Explanation:

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."

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

SHARE

Possible Answers:

Early

Punctual

Late

Part

On-time

Correct answer:

Part

Explanation:

The nouns "share" and "part" are synonymous: "he took his share of the money and put part of it in the bank." The other answer choice are all adjectives describing time. "Punctual" and "on-time" are very closely related. "Late" and "early" are antonyms. None of these adjectives are related to the noun "share."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

Shiver

Argue against 

Kindle

Argue for 

Permit

Correct answer:

Argue for 

Explanation:

To "advocate" means to argue in support of something, so "argue for" is the correct answer. To help you, "permit" means allow, "shiver" means shake back and forth due to cold or fear, and "kindle" means inspire a certain feeling or cause to be on fire.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

MANUAL

Possible Answers:

Binoculars 

Handbook 

Car

Telescope 

Animal 

Correct answer:

Handbook 

Explanation:

A "manual" is a handbook or a written guide on how to do something or directions included with a product that explain how to use it. So, "handbook" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "manual": a "telescope" is a device you use to look at things in outer space; and "binoculars" are a device that you use to look at something far away.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

ENDEAVOR

Possible Answers:

Explore

Journey 

Ship 

Undertaking 

Search 

Correct answer:

Undertaking 

Explanation:

“Endeavor” means seriously and continually try to do something, and an “endeavor” is an activity directed toward a goal. Likewise, an “undertaking” is an activity directed towards a goal, so "undertaking" is the correct answer. You can say a long “journey” is a great endeavor or a big undertaking, for instance, but “journey” is not synonymous with "endeavor" or "undertaking." “Search” means look for, and “explore” means adventure or look around an area with which you are not familiar

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BUFF

Possible Answers:

Facilitate

Burnish

Tackle

Puff

Skip

Correct answer:

Burnish

Explanation:

When used as a verb, "buff" means "polish" or burnish, so "polish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BEAR

Possible Answers:

Withstand

Growl

Wild

Huge

Fume

Correct answer:

Withstand

Explanation:

BEAR may refer to several things, but the only option that has one of its meanings is withstand.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

MARKET

Possible Answers:

Contract

Office

Negotiate

Meeting

Promote

Correct answer:

Promote

Explanation:

To MARKET something means to promote it.

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