All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1021 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ABHOR
Absolve
Abolish
Love
Detest
Imagine
Detest
If you "abhor" something you hate and detest it. For clarification detest is a synonym of abhor; "abolish" means get rid of; "absolve" means to remove blame from someone.
Example Question #1022 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DREAD
Despair
Aspire
Love
Hope
Fear
Fear
"Dread" means to fear something greatly, so "fear" is the correct answer. For clarification, "aspire" means aim or seek, and "despair" means a feeling of sadness and hopelessness.
Example Question #1023 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
AGITATE
Surprise
Upset
Highlight
Decipher
Convince
Upset
"Agitate" is a verb that means upset, so "upset" is the correct answer. "Highlight" means emphasize or call attention to. "Convince" means persuade or change a person's mind. "Decipher" means decode. "Surprise," when used as a verb, means shock or reveal something unexpected.
Example Question #1024 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PERTURB
Acquire
Complain
Enjoy
Indict
Disturb
Disturb
"Perturb" means annoy or disturb, so "disturb" is the correct answer. "Enjoy" means take pleasure in a particular activity. "Complain" means express unhappiness about something. "Indict" means charge someone with a crime. "Acquire" means obtain something.
Example Question #1025 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GRATIFY
Mistake
Barter
Sling
Please
Correct
Please
"Gratify" means please, satisfy, or gladden, so "please" is the correct answer. "Correct" means fix an error or mistake or make right. "Mistake," when used as a verb, means commit an error. "Barter" is a verb that means trade goods. "Sling," when used as a verb, means throw or fling an object.
Example Question #1026 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
YEARN
Blend
Detach
Consult
Desire
Fast
Desire
"Yearn" means to want something or to "desire" something. "Detach" means to remove or to disconnect. "Fast," when used as a verb, means to not eat, usually for a religious purpose. "Blend" means to mix together or to combine. "Consult" means to ask someone for advice.
Example Question #1027 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SEDATE
Forbid
Tranquilize
Drive insane
Encourage
Allow
Tranquilize
"Sedate" is a verb that describes the action of administering medicine to put someone or something into an artificially-induced calm or sleeping state. It can also be used as an adjective that means lazy or unhurried. So, "tranquilize," a verb that means to sedate using a tranquilizing drug, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1028 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SCORN
Enamored
Repulsive
Jocular
Disdain
Encourage
Disdain
"Scorn" is a strong feeling of disdain or dislike, so "disdain," which means contempt or show contempt toward, is the correct answer. For clarification, "enamored" means having a strong like for or in love with, "jocular" means good-humored, "repulsive" means disgusting, and "encourage" means support.
Example Question #1029 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERTURB
Erode
Apprehension
Disconcert
Strut
Scurry
Disconcert
"Perturb" is a verb that means unsettle or annoy, so we need to pick out another word that means something like unsettle. While "apprehension" (anxiety about future events) might sound like the correct answer, "perturb" is a verb and "apprehension" a noun, so "apprehension" can't be the correct answer. "Disconcert," a verb meaning unsettle, is the answer choice closest in meaning to "perturb," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #1030 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INDULGE
Maintain
Superimpose
Limit
Prevent
Gratify
Gratify
"Indulge" is a verb that can mean "allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of," "become involved in (an activity, typically one that is undesirable or disapproved of)," "satisfy or yield freely to (a desire or interest)" when used with an object, or "allow (someone) to enjoy a desired pleasure," also when used with an object. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "allow oneself the pleasure of," "become involved in," or "satisfy." "Limit," then, cannot be the correct answer because "limit" is nearly an antonym of "indulge." "Gratify," however, is a verb that means either "give (someone) pleasure or satisfaction" or "indulge or satisfy (a desire)," and because "gratify" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "indulge," "gratify" is the correct answer.
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