All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #491 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PREDISPOSITION
Repudiate
Disinclination
Renounce
Mar
Tendency
Tendency
A “predisposition” is a tendency or liability to think or feel a certain way about something. For example, someone from a violent past might be “predisposed” to violence in the present. The correct answer is thus "tendency," as "tendency" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "predisposition."As for the other answer choices, a “disinclination” is the opposite of a “predisposition”— it is something you are not liable to do; “repudiate” and “renounce” both mean to reject or declare that something is wrong and stop participating in it; and “mar” is a verb that means ruin or make worse.
Example Question #492 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EPITOME
Quintessence
Impasse
Antithesis
Rancor
Concession
Quintessence
Since "epitome" is a noun which means "a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type," we need to find another noun that means "perfect example of." While "antithesis" may seem like a good answer choice, it is a noun which means "a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else," so it is the opposite of an "epitome" and not the word we're looking for. "Quintessence," on the other hand, means "the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class"; since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "epitome," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DILEMMA
Quandary
Opacity
Halt
Entangle
Setback
Quandary
"Dilemma" is a noun that means "a situation in which you have to make a difficult choice," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "problem." "Setback" and "quandary" both appear to be potentially correct answers, "setback" means " a problem that makes progress more difficult or success less likely" and "quandary" means "a situation in which you are confused about what to do." Since "quandary" is closer in meaning to "dilemma," since both words have to do with making difficult choices, "quandary" is the correct answer.
Example Question #162 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUALM
Eloquence
Misgiving
Reproach
Implication
Plea
Misgiving
"Qualm" is a noun that means "an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "doubt" or "worry." Since "misgiving" means "a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "qualm" and thus the correct answer.
Example Question #163 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALACRITY
Eagerness
Alarm
Criticism
Potential
Charm
Eagerness
While "alarm" might look like a potentially good answer choice because both "alacrity" and "alarm" begin with "ala-," or "criticism," because "alacrity" contains the infix "-crit-," which is also present in "criticism," "alacrity" actually means "brisk and cheerful readiness," so "eagerness" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.
Example Question #164 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WONT
Desire
Fountain
Habit
Will not
Lewd
Habit
While "wont" looks like "won't," it has a different meaning from the contraction, so "will not" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "wanton" is a synonym of "lewd," "wont" and "wanton" have completely different meanings, and while a "font" is a term for a fountain, the only thing "font" and "wont" have in common with each other is that they can both be used as nouns and they rhyme. While "desire" is a synonym of "want," "want" and "wont" are different words with different meanings. "Wont" as a noun means "one's customary behavior in a particular situation," and as an adjective it refers to people and means "in the habit of doing something; accustomed." Since "habit" means "a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up," "habit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wont" and the correct answer.
Example Question #165 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HUSBANDRY
Farm management
Marriage
Child-rearing
Construction
Parenthood
Farm management
This is a tricky one. When you see the word husbandry, you probably recognize the word husband and assume that husbandry has something to do with marriage, parenthood, or child-rearing. Husbandry actually has to do with farm management, and perhaps in a more indirect way with management of the household. The only choice that really works for that definition is "Farm management."
Example Question #166 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEARTH
Scarcity
Plentiful
Abundance
Peaceful
Diverse
Scarcity
"Dearth" means to lack, or scarcity. Abundance and Plentiful means to have a lot of, so they are antonyms of Dearth. Diverse means to be varied, and Peaceful means to be calm. These last two words have no relation to Dearth in this context.
Example Question #167 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HARMONY
Infamy
Agreement
Model
Cacophony
Discord
Agreement
"Harmony" is to have an agreement. Discord or Cacophony means to have a disagreement, and therefore they are antonyms of Harmony. Infamy means to be known for a bad reason, and Model means a good example. These last two words have no relation to Harmony in this context.
Example Question #168 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PHENOMENON
Aggravation
Variance
Present
Occurrence
Whim
Occurrence
A phenomenon is a fact or occurrence that is observable.
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