SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1934 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXPEDITE

Possible Answers:

Hasten

Load

Wish

Risk

Recede

Correct answer:

Hasten

Explanation:

"Expedite" means speed up the progress of or hasten, so "hasten" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "expedite": "load" means fill; "wish" means hope; "risk" means endanger; and "recede" means retreat.

Example Question #1934 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ADULTERATE

Possible Answers:

Deny

Contaminate

Frequent

Matriculate

Mature

Correct answer:

Contaminate

Explanation:

"Adulterate" means to lessen the quality of a substance by adding an impurity, or to contaminate it.

Example Question #1935 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SHIRK

Possible Answers:

Irritate

Bewilder

Avoid

Appreciate

Determine

Correct answer:

Avoid

Explanation:

"Shirk" means avoid or evade, so "avoid," a verb that means eschew or stay away from, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "shirk" and "avoid": "determine" means to figure out or solve; "bewilder" means to confuse or to baffle; "Irritate" means to annoy or to bother; and "appreciate" means to show gratitude for something.

Example Question #1936 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

DAWDLE

Possible Answers:

Prioritize

Innovate

Memorize

Accuse

Idle

Correct answer:

Idle

Explanation:

"Dawdle" means to idle or waste time and do nothing. "Memorize" to remember every word or aspect. "Prioritize" means to put things in order of importance with the most important in front. "Innovate" means to improve or make changes to something to make it better. "Accuse" means to charge a person with a crime or offense.

Example Question #1937 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DALLY

Possible Answers:

Profess

Elucidate

Concur

Rectify

Dawdle

Correct answer:

Dawdle

Explanation:

"Dally" means linger or "dawdle." "Concur" means agree. "Rectify" means to correct or to make right. "Elucidate" means make clear. "Profess" means state openly or announce.

Example Question #1935 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HINDER

Possible Answers:

Charge

Facilitate

Obstruct

Improve

Maintain

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

"Hinder" means to create difficulties for something, or to obstruct something.

Example Question #1939 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RUMPLE

Possible Answers:

Flatten

Scold

Wake

Empty

Wrinkle

Correct answer:

Wrinkle

Explanation:

To "rumple" something means to wrinkle it, so "wrinkle" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1941 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUARANTINE

Possible Answers:

Rust

Organize

Undermine

Compromise

Isolate

Correct answer:

Isolate

Explanation:

To "quarantine" is to isolate.

Example Question #1942 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MITIGATE

Possible Answers:

Announce

Capture

Shorten

Ease

Disguise

Correct answer:

Ease

Explanation:

"Mitigate" means to reduce pain or negative effects. Thus, the word "ease" (used as a verb) is closest in meaning, as easing pain or negative effects would also cause a reduction in those. The other words are completely unrelated to the verb "mitigate."

Example Question #1943 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Waste

Harbor

Decipher

Intone

Squish 

Correct answer:

Waste

Explanation:

"Squander" means to spend money is an impractical or wasteful way. (Example: "Lucy squandered her father's fortune by investing in a business that had no future.") Thus, "waste" is the best synonym.

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