All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1111 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRANSACT
Neglect
Demand
Enunciate
Perform
Bolster
Perform
“Transact” is a verb that means “conduct or carry out (business),” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “carry out.” That means that “neglect” cannot be the correct answer, because “neglect” can mean “fail to do something” when used with an infinitive, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “transact.” “Perform,” however, is a verb that means “carry out, accomplish, or fulfill (an action, task, or function),” and because “perform” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “transact,” “perform” is the correct answer.
Example Question #1112 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DISCARD
Damage
Respect
Abandon
Steal
Support
Abandon
To "discard" something is to throw it away. This definition is most similar in meaning to "abandon," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #1113 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "enroll" is __________.
matriculate
ignore
spin
entrap
perturb
matriculate
"Enroll" is a verb that means "to become a member of or a participant in," so we need to pick out another word that means "to become a member of." While "enroll" sounds like "roll" and "roll" and "spin" are close in meaning, "enroll" does not mean the same thing as "roll," so "spin" cannot be the correct answer. "Matriculate," however, means "to enroll as a member of a body, especially of a college or university." Since "matriculate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enroll," "matriculate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1114 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "transpire" is __________.
sweet
sweat
occur
skimp
gape
occur
"Transpire" is a verb that means "happen," so we need to pick out another word that means "happen." While "transpire" sounds like "perspire," which means "to sweat," "sweat" is not the answer because while "transpire" and "perspire" sound alike, they have very different meanings. "Occur," however, means "happen; take place," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "transpire," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #1115 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ABJURE
Give up
Go up
Go around
Open up
Let in
Give up
“Abjure” means give up or renounce, so "give up" is the correct answer. The prefix "ab-" is often related to the act of giving something up, as in the word “abdicate,” which means to give up the throne.
Example Question #1116 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUNGLE
Demonstrate
Activate
Spoil
Cottage
Create
Spoil
If you "bungle" something, you make a mistake. You might "bungle" a surprise party by letting the guest of honor accidentally know about the party. To "bungle" a task is to "spoil" or ruin the endeavor.
Example Question #1117 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACQUIT
Convict
Absolve
Prosecute
Absolve
Prosecute
Absolve
"Acquit" means to clear someone of charges or to "absolve" someone of criminal charges.
"Incarcerate" means to put someone in jail. "Blame" means to assign responsibility of a fault. "Convict" means to declare someone guilty of a crime and is an antonym to "acquit." "Prosecute" means to enact legal proceeding against a person.
Example Question #1118 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SQUANDER
Explain
Dupe
Spend extravagantly
Be frugal
Fall
Spend extravagantly
"Squander" means to "spend extravagantly" or excessively.
"Explain" means to make understandable.
"Dupe" means to trick or to deceive.
"Fall" means to drop or descend under the force of gravity.
"Be frugal" means to be economical or not wasteful of money. It is the opposite of squander.
Example Question #1119 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EMULATE
Envy
Ensconce
Scold
Imitate
Conquer
Imitate
"Emulate" is a verb that means model oneself after, or to imitate or match someone.
"Ensconce" means to safely settle in a place. "Envy" is the desire to have a quality belonging to someone else. "Scold" means to reprimand, or to express displeasure about somebody's actions. "Conquer" means to successfully overcome a challenge.
Example Question #1120 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FUMIGATE
Preserve
Repudiate
Burn
Fuse
Disinfect
Disinfect
"Fumigate" is a verb that means to disinfect something by means of smoke or poisonous fumes.
"Fuse" means to join, or to meld objects. Often is means to weld two pieces of metal together.
"Repudiate" means to reject something as false or to turn one's back on something.
"Preserve" means to keep something safe in its original state.
"Burn" means to harm or destroy something with fire.