SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Regard is to deem as __________.

Possible Answers:

release is to capture

confound is to astonish

mock is to praise

negate is to confirm

far is to near

Correct answer:

confound is to astonish

Explanation:

“Regard,” when used as a verb, means “consider or think of someone or something in a specified way,” while “deem” means “regard or consider in a specified way.” So, “regard” and “deem” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that consists of a pair of synonyms. While “confound is to astonish,” “release is to capture,” and “negate is to confirm” might each look like a potentially correct answer choice, “release” and “confirm” are antonyms, as are “negate” and “confirm,” so neither of those answer choices can be the correct answer. “Confound,” however, is a verb that means “cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations,” while “astonish” means “surprise or impress (someone) greatly.” So, because “confound” is a synonym of “astonish” just as “regard” is a synonym of “deem,” “confound is to astonish” is the correct answer.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Outlandish is to eccentric as quintessential is to __________.

Possible Answers:

brilliant 

elusive

menacing 

typical

abnormal

Correct answer:

typical

Explanation:

Outlandish and eccentric are synonyms that both mean weird or abnormal so to solve this analogy you have to identify the best available synonym for quintessential. Quintessential means typical or normal. For clarification, menacing means threatening; elusive means hard to detect or capture; abnormal means weird, not normal.

Example Question #73 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Lethargic is to tired as gregarious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

devious 

introspective

outgoing 

whimsical

iconic 

Correct answer:

outgoing 

Explanation:

Lethargic is a synonym of tired so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of the answer choices is the best synonym for the word gregarious. Gregarious means sociable or outgoing. For clarification, devious means sneaky; introspective means thoughtful and inwardly focused; iconic means significant; whimsical means quirky or silly.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Evanescent is to fleeting as ephemeral is to __________.

Possible Answers:

nomadic 

permanent 

expressive

lasting 

transitory 

Correct answer:

transitory 

Explanation:

Evanescent is a synonym of fleeting so to solve this analogy you must determine the best available synonym for ephemeral. Ephemeral means short-lived. Transitory also has a similar meaning, it means not permanent or existing for a short time. Permanent and lasting are both antonyms. Nomadic means living a detached or wandering lifestyle.

Example Question #75 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Belittle is to demean as delectable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

jaunty 

harsh 

delicious 

improving 

nourishing 

Correct answer:

delicious 

Explanation:

"Belittle" and "demean" are both synonyms that mean to put someone down with unkindness or criticism. "Delectable" means tasty,and therefore the best available synonym is “delicious.” For clarification, "nourishing" means providing nourishment; "harsh" means unfairly critical; "jaunty" means cheerful.

Example Question #171 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Thrive is to flourish as indignant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lethargic 

interested 

impressed 

energetic 

incensed 

Correct answer:

incensed 

Explanation:

Thrive and flourish are both synonyms that mean to do well or succeed; therefore you need to identify the best synonym for indignant, which means angry or furious. The correct answer is “incensed” which means to have been made very angry. For clarification, "lethargic" means exhausted and is the antonym of energetic.

Example Question #172 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Sycophant is to flatterer as __________.

Possible Answers:

president is to government

magician is to magic

farmer is to husbandry

king is to monarch

pancake is to syrup

Correct answer:

king is to monarch

Explanation:

Since "sycophant" is a noun that means a self-seeking person who flatters powerful people to win their favor, it is a synonym of "flatterer." So, in selecting an answer choice, we're looking for two words which are synonyms. While "farmer is to husbandry" may initially look like a good answer choice, the two words are not synonyms, as a farmer practices husbandry. (If the answer choice said "farming is to husbandry," then it might be considerable). "Monarch is to king" is the best answer choice, because just like a sycophant is a flatterer, a king is a monarch. 

Example Question #173 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Balcony is to mezzanine as porch is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mesmerize

garage

perch

veranda

roof

Correct answer:

veranda

Explanation:

Balcony and mezzanine are synonyms, as are porch and veranda. 

Example Question #171 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Averted is to prevent as augmented is to __________.

Possible Answers:

increase

prepare

avarice

anguish

prevaricate

Correct answer:

increase

Explanation:

When you avert something, you prevent it. When you augment something, you increase it. 

Example Question #173 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete the analogy.

Charmed is to lucky as enemy is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

awful

conniving

adversary

supervisor

associate

Correct answer:

adversary

Explanation:

"Charmed" means having good luck on a consistent basis, making this analogy based on synonyms. "Charmed" and "lucky" are also adjectives, the same part of speech. "Enemy" is a noun, so we are looking for a similar word that is also a noun.

The correct choice is "adversary" (root "vers" = to turn from (think of your back and vertebrae)). An "enemy" is someone who is an opponent, someone you fight with or contest.  

An "associate" (noun) is someone you work with, not against, making it an antonym.

"Conniving" (verb) is the action of a person who is aware or a part of doing something illegal or immoral. This may describe someone who is an enemy, but is not another word for an enemy itself.

"Awful" (adj) is also a description of someone who could be an enemy, but is not a noun.

"Supervisor" (noun) is a noun but does not necessarily mean someone who is an enemy; (prefix "super" = above and root "vis" = to see), referring to someone who manages or oversees others.

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