All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1501 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROPINQUITY
Proximity
Mercy
Guilt
Abstention
Commendation
Proximity
"Propinquity" is a synonym for "proximity" or nearness. Another word for "guilt" is complicity, and another word for "mercy" is clemency. "Abstention" means sobriety, temperance. "Commendation" is praise or acclaim.
Example Question #1502 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESPIONAGE
Crime
Spying
Largesse
Munificence
Duplicity
Spying
"Espionage" is the act of "spying," gathering secret information. While "espionage" is often a "crime," it is not necessarily synonymous with "crime." While "duplicity," or deceit, is also often involved in "espionage," the two are also not synonymous. "Largesse" is generosity or munificence.
Example Question #1503 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUIP
Dullard
Paucity
Dearth
Obstinacy
Joke
Joke
A "quip" is a clever "joke" or witticism. A "dullard" is a dunce or ignoramus: someone who would not utter a quip. "Paucity" and "dearth" both mean scarcity. "Obstinacy" is another word for stubbornness or pigheadedness.
Example Question #1504 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SQUABBLE
Approbation
Velocity
Disagreement
Alacrity
Profundity
Disagreement
A "squabble" is a "disagreement" or quarrel. "Velocity" is another word for speed, and "profundity" is another word for depth or profoundness. "Alacrity" is liveliness or vivacity. "Approbation" is a synonym for "approval" or endorsement.
Example Question #1505 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CIRCUMLOCUTION
Hearty laughter
Roundabout speech
Careful navigation
Confused wandering
Geometric perimeter
Roundabout speech
"Circumlocution" is the act of speaking in a roundabout, wordy way, often for the purpose of being vague or misleading. It is a type of verbal wandering, but not a physical wandering, and it is usually intentional rather than confused. Don't mix up "circumlocution" with "circumnavigation" (sailing around the world) or "circumference" (perimeter), either. Another word for "hearty laughter" is a guffaw.
Example Question #1506 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VAGARY
Choler
Probity
Whim
Clarity
Ambiguity
Whim
A "vagary" is a "whim," passing fancy, or caprice. It is not "ambiguity" or vagueness. "Choler" is an old-fashioned word for anger. "Probity" is moral integrity, and "vituperation" is bitter, harsh verbal abuse. "Clarity" is a synonym for "clearness."
Example Question #1507 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MORES
Surfeit
Punishments
Averages
Plethora
Conventions
Conventions
"Mores" are social codes, "conventions," or traditions. "Punishments" are penalties, and an "average" is a mathematical mean, not a more. Another word for "plethora" is excess, surplus, or surfeit.
Example Question #1508 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ONUS
Work
Lucidity
Burden
Lexicon
Gemstone
Burden
"Onus" is a synonym for "burden," obligation, or responsibility. Don't confuse this with "opus," which is a work, or "opal," which is a gemstone. "Lucidity" is clearness. A "lexicon" is a dictionary or vocabulary list.
Example Question #1509 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ATONEMENT
Alarm
Expiation
Clemency
Alacrity
Solicitude
Expiation
"Atonement" is another word for "expiation," making amends for one's wrongdoings. "Alacrity" means liveliness or quickness. "Alarm" is awareness of and worry about danger. "Solicitude" is concern and care. "Clemency," or mercy, is one possible response to a person's attempts at atonement.
Example Question #1510 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTERLUDE
Catastrophe
Intervening
Intermission
Melody
Atonement
Intermission
An "interlude" is an "intermission" or pause between two acts. This is different from an "intervention," or the act of intervening to solve a problem. A "catastrophe" is a disaster. A "melody" is a song or sequence of musical notes. "Atonement" is a synonym for "expiation" or penance.
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
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