All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BIGOT
Partisan
Realistic
Mythical
Obese
Dainty
Partisan
A “bigot” is a person who hates, or refuses to accept, the members of a particular group. If you are “partisan,” similar to a “bigot,” you are one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance. To help you, do not confuse the word with “big” or “bigfoot.” "Obese" means very fat; "dainty" means delicate; "mythical" means sourced from myth and legend, probably not true.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANTAGONIST
Ally
Supervisor
Opponent
Follower
Comrade
Opponent
"Antagonist" is defined as an adversary, rival, or foe. Of the answer choices, "opponent" has the closest meaning.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BARD
Poet
Witty
Sharp
Craftsman
Mayor
Poet
A "bard" is a poet.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Professional
Beginner
Counselor
Novice
Expert
Leader
Expert
A "professional" is an expert in something.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Nouns
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PROTAGONIST
Villain
Director
Actor
Damsel
Hero
Hero
The "protagonist" of a story is the hero, so "hero" is the correct answer. For clarification, a "damsel" is a girl or a young woman, often one who is rescued in a story.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Nouns
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NOVICE
Replacement
Supercilious
Incumbent
Expert
Beginner
Beginner
A "novice" is someone who is a beginner. This is opposite in meaning to an "expert," which means a professional, someone who knows a lot about a subject, or someone who has done an activity for a long time and is very good at it. For clarification, "incumbent" means a person currently holding a political office, and "supercilious" means arrogant or condescending.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAGNATE
Windfall
Tycoon
Lodestone
Commuter
Resident
Tycoon
"Magnate" is a noun that means "a person who has great wealth and power in a particular business or industry," so we need to find another word that means something like "a person who has power in a certain industry." While "magnate" may sound like "magnet" and "lodestone" is a synonym of "magnet," "magnet" does not mean the same thing as "magnate," so it can't be the correct answer. "Tycoon," however, means "a very wealthy and powerful business person," and since its meaning is closest to "magnate" of the given answer choices, "tycoon" is the correct answer.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.
Vagabond
Extension
Wanderer
Trespasser
Loan
Fitness
Wanderer
A "vagabond" is a wanderer. The Latin root word, "vagari," means to roam.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PHYSICIAN
Doctor
Henchman
Churl
Rascal
Queen
Doctor
"Physician" means "a doctor."
"Henchman" means a ruthless subordinate, usually a criminal.
"Rascal" means a dishonest or unscrupulous person.
"Churl" means someone who is rude and surly.
"Queen" is a female monarch.
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RUFFIAN
Cherub
Spectator
Pontiff
Scribe
Hoodlum
Hoodlum
A "ruffian" is a "hoodlum," a troublemaker or a delinquent.
None of the other words are synonymous with ruffian:
"Spectator" means a bystander or someone who views an event or a spectacle.
"Pontiff" means the pope, or the leader of the Catholic Church.
A "scribe" is someone who makes hand-written copies of texts. Scribes still exist, but were more common in the time before the printing press was invented.
A "cherub" is a very cute baby, or a chubby angel child with wings.
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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
