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 #2193 : Synonyms

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

INVULNERABLE

Possible Answers:

Rugged

Invincible

Victorious

Enervated

Presumptuous

Correct answer:

Invincible

Explanation:

The word “vulnerable” comes from the Latin for wound. With the “-able” prefix, it would mean able to be wounded. Therefore, when someone is “in-vulnerable,” he or she is not able to be wounded. The word “invincible” does not necessarily pertain to wounds, but it does mean unable to be conquered. You may have heard of the famous line attributed to Julius Caesar: “Veni, vidi, vici,” “I came, I saw, I conquered.” The last word, “vici,” is a form of “vincere,” meaning, to conquer. To be “invincible,” is thus to be “un-conquerable.”

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

EXCLAIM

Possible Answers:

Berate

Shout

Interrupt

Opine

Swear

Correct answer:

Shout

Explanation:

The word “exclaim” literally means to shout out. The “ex-” prefix is likely familiar, being taken from the Latin for out or out of. The “-claim” portion is related to words like “clamor” and “proclaim.” It comes from the Latin for to call in the sense of to call out. When someone “exclaims” something, he or she shouts it out, often in anger or surprise. For instance, upon unexpectedly discovering an answer, one might exclaim, “Eureka!”

Example Question #2194 : Synonyms

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

AMBIVALENT

Possible Answers:

Migratory

Callous

Menacing

Enthusiastic

Undecided

Correct answer:

Undecided

Explanation:

Ambivalent means being unable to choose between two options. The correct answer choice is undecided.  The prefix "ambi" means both, and the root "val" refers to strength.  

Example Question #2195 : Synonyms

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

SUPERFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Quiet

Damaging

Extra

Superficial

Common

Correct answer:

Extra

Explanation:

Superfluous means beyond what is needed or an overabundance.  Thus, the correct answer is extra.  The prefix 'super' means over.  

Example Question #51 : Synonyms

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

PRESAGE

Possible Answers:

Adorable

Foreshadow

Wise

Precocious

Prodigious

Correct answer:

Foreshadow

Explanation:

When used as a verb, the word “presage” means to be a sign of a future event, often implying that this is a sign of warning. The word comes from the prefix “pre-”, meaning before, and the base “sage,” which does not merely mean wise, but to perceive keenly. Someone who is “sagacious” is wise precisely because that person keenly perceives reality. The word would be used in a sentence like, “In many cultures, the flying of a crow over a barn presaged a poor harvest in the coming year.”

Example Question #52 : Synonyms

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

DIFFUSE

Possible Answers:

Disagreeable

Scattered

Irregular

Dissimilar

Variant

Correct answer:

Scattered

Explanation:

The word “diffuse” comes from roots that literally mean poured away from. The “di-” prefix means away from or down from, and the “-fuse” means to pour. This latter is found in words like “infuse” (meaning, literally, to pour into) and “effusive” (meaning pouring out, implying that someone “pours out” a great amount of something like praise). As a verb, the word “diffuse” means to scatter or to spread out, as when one diffuses a smell into a room or when an idea diffuses through an entire population. The word can likewise be used as an adjective, basically having the meaning of the past participle of the word, namely “scattered.”

Example Question #2201 : Synonyms

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

PRECLUDE

Possible Answers:

Pester

Scan

Attend

Cooperate

Stop

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

To "preclude" something is to stop it from happening. The prefix "pre-" means before, and the root word, "clud," means to close or to shut

Example Question #2202 : Synonyms

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

EQUIVOCAL

Possible Answers:

Ambiguous

Necessary

Nauseous

Fair

Adorned

Correct answer:

Ambiguous

Explanation:

"Equivocal" means ambiguous or allowing the possibility of different meanings. The prefix "equi-" means equal.

Example Question #2203 : Synonyms

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

IMMOBILE

Possible Answers:

Precise

Loud

Destined

Motionless

Swollen

Correct answer:

Motionless

Explanation:

"Immobile" means incapable of moving or being moved. The root word "mob" means move. The prefix, "im-," means not or without. Thus, the best answer choice is "motionless." 

Example Question #2204 : Synonyms

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

INDEFATIGABLE

Possible Answers:

Courageous

Explanatory

Tireless

Misguided

Versatile

Correct answer:

Tireless

Explanation:

"Indefatigable" means unable to be tired out. The best choice is "tireless." The prefix "in-" means not, and the Latin root word, "fatigare," means to tire. "Fatigare" is also the root for the word fatigue.  

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