SSAT Middle Level Verbal : SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

BIGOT

Possible Answers:

Partisan

Realistic

Mythical

Obese

Dainty

Correct answer:

Partisan

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Ally 

Supervisor

Opponent

Follower

Comrade

Correct answer:

Opponent

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Poet

Witty

Sharp

Craftsman

Mayor

Correct answer:

Poet

Explanation:

A "bard" is a poet.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Professional

Possible Answers:

Beginner

Counselor

Novice

Expert

Leader

Correct answer:

Expert

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Villain 

Director 

Actor 

Damsel 

Hero 

Correct answer:

Hero 

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Replacement 

Supercilious

Incumbent

Expert 

Beginner

Correct answer:

Beginner

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Windfall

Tycoon

Lodestone

Commuter

Resident

Correct answer:

Tycoon

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Extension

Wanderer

Trespasser

Loan

Fitness

Correct answer:

Wanderer

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Doctor

Henchman

Churl

Rascal

Queen

Correct answer:

Doctor

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Cherub

Spectator

Pontiff

Scribe

Hoodlum

Correct answer:

Hoodlum

Explanation:

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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