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 #54 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Seminal is to original as elucidate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Clarify 

Mollify 

Pacify 

Assuage 

Calm 

Correct answer:

Clarify 

Explanation:

Seminal is a synonym of original, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for elucidate. To elucidate something is to clarify or make clear. For clarification, mollify, assuage, pacify, and calm are all synonyms of one another.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Meritorious is to praiseworthy as munificent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Placid 

Frigid 

Suggestive 

Generous 

Haughty 

Correct answer:

Generous 

Explanation:

Meritorious and praiseworthy are synonyms that both mean deserving of praise or admiration. So to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym for munificent. Munificent means very generous. For clarification, haughty means proud and arrogant; placid means peaceful or easy-going; frigid means very cold.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Plethora is to abundance as scarcity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Excess

Dearth 

Surplus 

Glut 

Surfeit 

Correct answer:

Dearth 

Explanation:

Plethora and abundance are synonyms that both describe the quality of having enough, or too much, of something. Scarcity is an antonym of plethora and describes the quality of not having enough of something or the rarity of something. To solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for scarcity. The correct answer is “dearth,” which means lack. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all synonyms of plethora and abundance.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Accommodating is to helpful as capricious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Unfair

Critical 

Dismissive 

Impulsive

Miserly 

Correct answer:

Impulsive

Explanation:

Accommodating is a synonym for helpful, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for capricious. Capricious means unpredictable and impulsive. For clarification, impulsive is defined as acting on a whim; miserly means not generous with money.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Zealous is to joyous as mottled is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sad

hidden

kind

confused

spotted

Correct answer:

spotted

Explanation:

The best choice is "spotted." The relationship between "zealous" and "joyous" is that they are synonyms. Therefore, we need to look for a synonym of the word "mottled," which means spotted. "Spotted" is the best answer as it is part of the definition of the word "mottled."

Example Question #59 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Strike is to buffet as scold is to __________.

Possible Answers:

warn

censure

carry

apologize

relay

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

The best choice is "censure." The relationship between "strike" and "buffet" is that they are synonyms. "Buffet" means to strike harshly and repeatedly. In this sense, it is also possible to say that "buffet" is an increased degree of the word "strike." The only word that fits properly is "censure" as it means to disapprove harshly when used as a verb or criticism when it is used as a noun, and the meaning of "scold" is to criticize angrily.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Trite is to unoriginal as __________.

Possible Answers:

tacit is to unclear

heavy is to ethereal

wanton is to carefree

bag is to carry

nebulous is to clear

Correct answer:

wanton is to carefree

Explanation:

The best choice is "wanton is to carefree." The relationship between "trite" and "unoriginal" is that they are synonyms. "Trite" means unoriginal. Likewise, the word "wanton" means carefree. Considering the other options, the relationship in "bag is to carry" is noun and an action you do with it. The remaining choices are all antonyms.

Example Question #271 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Scurry is to hasten as __________.

Possible Answers:

embark is to return

slow is to quick

glass is to mosaic

very is to barely

dig is to excavate

Correct answer:

dig is to excavate

Explanation:

"Scurry" and "hasten" are both verbs, and synonyms, as both mean move hurriedly. So, we need to pick out another pair of words which are synonyms. Since "excavate" means to remove the earth around something in the ground, often in order to dig something up, "excavate" is a synonym of "dig." Since "excavate" is a synonym of "dig" just as "scurry" is a synonym of "hasten," "dig is to excavate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #272 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Cautious is to chary as fleeting is to __________.

Possible Answers:

intelligent 

ephemeral 

fixated 

lasting 

permanent 

Correct answer:

ephemeral 

Explanation:

"Cautious" and "chary" are both synonyms that mean careful and concerned. To solve this analogy, you must identify the best available synonym for "fleeting," which means not lasting or short-lived. The correct answer is “ephemeral,” which means short-lived.

Example Question #273 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Cajole is to wheedle as __________.

Possible Answers:

transpire is to occur

flatter is to intrigue

armor is to shield

obtain is to misplace

sit is to stand

Correct answer:

transpire is to occur

Explanation:

"Cajole" and "wheedle" are both verbs meaning flatter someone in order to persuade them of something or get them to do something. the two terms are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that includes a pair of synonyms. While "flatter is to intrigue" may look like a potentially correct answer choice because the meaning of "flatter" is similar to those of "cajole" and "wheedle," "flatter" does not mean the same thing as "intrigue," so "flatter is to intrigue" cannot be the correct answer; however, "transpire" and "occur" are synonymous; both mean happen. So, "transpire is to occur" is the correct answer.

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