All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "dispute" is __________.
competition
contract
prototype
debate
poise
debate
Since "dispute" means "disagreement, argument, or verbal controversy," we need to pick out another answer choice that also means "disagreement." While "competition" and "debate" might both look like potentially correct answers, "competition" means "the act or process of trying to win something that someone else is trying to win," whereas "debate" means "a discussion between people in which they express different opinions about something." Since both "dispute" and "debate" mean "disagreement," "debate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs
A synonym of "imply" is . . .
intimate
regurgitate
suggested
cite
pardon
intimate
"Imply" is a verb meaning "strongly suggest the truth or existence of something not expressly stated," or "suggest something as a logical consequence" when used to refer to facts or occurences. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "strongly suggest something unstated." While "suggested" may look like the correct answer, "suggested" is not an infinitive verb, but an adjective or a verb conjugated for the past tense, so "suggested" cannot be the correct answer. "Intimate," however, can be used as a verb meaning "imply or hint," or "state or make known." Because "intimate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "imply," "intimate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
REITERATE
rectify
repeat
scold
reply
pardon
repeat
"Reiterate" means to repeat, as in something said.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "decry" is __________.
compliment
disparage
manage
eat
spy
disparage
"Decry" is a verb that means "publicly denounce," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "denounce." So, "compliment" cannot be the correct answer because "compliment" is an antonym of "decry," not a synonym. "Disparage," however, is a verb that means "regard or represent as being of little worth," and because "disparage" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "decry," "disparage" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "purport" is __________.
run
languish
expose
impersonate
exist
impersonate
"Purport" is a word that can be used as either a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider "purport" as a verb. When used as a verb, "purport" means "appear or claim to be or do something, especially falsely; profess." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "appear to be something, especially falsely." "Expose," then, cannot be the correct answer, because while one might expose the true qualities of someone falsely purporting to have other qualities, "expose" does not mean the same thing as "purport." "Impersonate," however, is a verb that means "pretend to be (another person) as entertainment or in order to deceive someone," and because "impersonate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "purport," "impersonate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of “specify” is __________.
generalize
designate
suggest
munch
kick
designate
“Specify” is a verb that means “identify clearly and definitely,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “identify clearly.” That means that “generalize” cannot be the correct answer, because “make general or broad statement by inferring from specific cases,” a meaning very distant from that of “specify.” “Designate,” however, is a verb that can mean “ signify; indicate,” and because “designate” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “specify,” “designate” is the correct answer.
Example Question #791 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of “blather” is __________.
manage
prattle
investigate
explain
contest
prattle
“Blather” is a word that when used as a verb, means “to talk long-windedly without making sense,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “talk longwindedly without making sense.” That means that “explain” cannot be the correct answer, because “explain” can mean “to make something clear to someone by describing it in detail,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “blather.” “Prattle,” however, when used as a verb, means “talk at length in a foolish way,” and because “prattle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “blather,” “prattle” is the correct answer.
Example Question #792 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of “tattle” is __________.
experience
press
expound
inform on
define
inform on
“Tattle” is a verb that can mean “to report another’s wrongdoing” or “to gossip,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “to report another’s wrongdoing” or “to gossip.” That means that “expound” cannot be the correct answer, because “expound” means “present and explain something in detail,” which is quite distant from that of “tattle.” “Inform on,” however, is a phrase that means “give information about someone to the police,” and because “inform on” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “tattle,” “inform on” is the correct answer.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs
Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.
Succumb
Surrender
Plant
Repress
Belong
Display
Surrender
To "succumb" is to give in to a superior force. The best answer choice is the word "surrender."
Example Question #793 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.
Pique
Court
Offend
Overthrow
Reciprocate
Strive
Offend
To "pique" is to offend or to excite. This is from the Latin root word, "piccare," which means to pick.
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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
