SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FECUNDITY

Possible Answers:

Constituent

Fertility

Aridity

Aplomb

Sarcophagus

Correct answer:

Fertility

Explanation:

"Fecund" means "fertile" and fruitful. "Aridity" is dryness, and "aplomb" is poise. A "sarcophagus" is an elaborate coffin. A "constituent" is a voting person or a component of something bigger, depending on the context.

Example Question #222 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

HARANGUE

Possible Answers:

Sanctuary

Vivacity

Cicatrix

Amity

Rant

Correct answer:

Rant

Explanation:

A "harangue" is a "rant" or a tirade. "Vivacity" is liveliness, and "amity" is friendship. "Sanctuary" and "asylum" are synonyms, as are "cicatrix" and "scar."

Example Question #223 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LARCENY

Possible Answers:

Lassitude

Theft

Nadir

Zenith

Amiability

Correct answer:

Theft

Explanation:

"Larceny" is a more formal term for "theft." The "nadir" of something is its low point (literal or figurative), while the "zenith" of something is its high point. "Amiability" is friendliness, and "lassitude" is lethargy.

Example Question #224 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

EPOCH

Possible Answers:

Era

Strait

Congestion

Aegis

Verge

Correct answer:

Era

Explanation:

The noun "epoch" refers to a period of time, an "era" of history. Additionally, a "strait" is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water; the "verge" is the edge of something; "congestion" is the state of being blocked up; "aegis" is protection, support, 'backing.'

Example Question #225 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PROGENY

Possible Answers:

Sycophant

Missionary

Offspring

Itinerant

Instigator

Correct answer:

Offspring

Explanation:

The noun "progeny" means child of, "offspring." Additionally, "sycophant" means flatterer, someone who is excessively fawning and obsequious; a "missionary" is someone on a religious mission to a foreign country with the intention of converting the native population; an "instigator" is someone who starts conflict, the person who caused a fight; an "itinerant" means a person who travels all the time, a nomad, a wanderer.

Example Question #226 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

BATTERY

Possible Answers:

Ruse

Disposition

Plight

Assault

Ovation

Correct answer:

Assault

Explanation:

The noun "battery" means assault, the act of violently attacking someone. Additionally, "disposition" means character, personality, behavior; "ovation" means applause; "ruse" means trick, a deception; "plight" means danger, a difficult or challenging situation that is dangerous.

Example Question #227 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RENDITION

Possible Answers:

Performance

Courier

Flora

Muse

Abnegation

Correct answer:

Performance

Explanation:

The noun "rendition" means a performance, something spoken or performed aloud in front of others. Additionally, a "muse" is inspiration for a piece of artwork; a "courier" is a messenger; "flora" is plants; "abnegation" is denial, the act of rejecting something.

Example Question #228 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ITINERARY

Possible Answers:

Ambulance

Lyric

Vagrancy

Schedule

Vagrancy

Correct answer:

Schedule

Explanation:

An "itinerary" is a list of events and times: a "schedule." An "ambulance" is a medical vehicle used for transporting wounded or ill people. "Vagrancy" is a synonym for "itinerancy," which is a similar sounding word. A "lyric" is a line of words from a song or a genre of poem.

Example Question #229 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INVECTIVE

Possible Answers:

Verbal abuse

Eminence

Heroic conduct

Acumen

Social confusion

Correct answer:

Verbal abuse

Explanation:

"Invective" is "verbal abuse," a tirade, or a harangue. It is not "social confusion" or "heroic conduct" or behavior. "Eminence" is prominence, and "acumen" is shrewdness or intelligence.

Example Question #230 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PREAMBLE

Possible Answers:

Alarm

Introduction

Detection

Assumption

Document

Correct answer:

Introduction

Explanation:

A "preamble" is a synonym for "introduction," usually in the context of written documents. While a "preamble" appears in many documents, it is not necessarily synonymous with "document." "Detection" is the act of detecting or noticing something, and "presumption" is a near synonym for "assumption."

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