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 #73 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ELUCIDATE

Possible Answers:

Read

Intelligent

Learn

Lucid

Clarify

Correct answer:

Clarify

Explanation:

The word "elucidate" means to clarify or to explain. The best answer choice is "clarify," which means to make clear or to explain. The word "lucid", though related to the verb "elucidate", is not itself a verb. It is an adjective which means clear or easily understood.

Example Question #74 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

SIMILITUDE

Possible Answers:

Bastion

Pleasantry

Ardor

Resemblance

Felicity

Correct answer:

Resemblance

Explanation:

"Similitude" is a noun derived from the Latin root "similis", meaning similar. "Resemblance" is a noun meaning the state of being alike, so it is a synonym for "similitude."

Example Question #75 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FIDELITY

Possible Answers:

Inadequacy

Ministry

Ennui

Tint

Loyalty

Correct answer:

Loyalty

Explanation:

"Fidelity" is a noun derived from the Latin root fidelis meaning faithfulness. "Loyalty" is a noun meaning a strong feeling of allegiance or faithfulness, and is an appropriate synonym.

Example Question #71 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UNORTHODOX

Possible Answers:

Malevolent

Ordinary

Putrid

Pedestrian

Strange

Correct answer:

Strange

Explanation:

"Unorthodox" means unusual or strange or not traditional, so "strange" is the correct answer.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Roots

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

SAVANT

Possible Answers:

Scholar

Irony

Mirage

Epicure

Accumulation

Correct answer:

Scholar

Explanation:

A "savant" is a person of extensive learning, so the best choice is the word "scholar." "Savant" is derived from the French word "savoir," which means to know.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Anglo Saxon

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

AFOREMENTIONED

Possible Answers:

Aforesaid

Afore

Afoot

Aforethought

Afoul

Correct answer:

Aforesaid

Explanation:

These words all share an anglo-saxon root "afore-." The only two words with closely related meanings are "aforesaid" and "aforementioned," which refer to something that has previously come up in conversation. The other words are not synonymous with "aforementioned."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

QUAKE

Possible Answers:

Freeze

Repel

Transform

Verify

Quiver

Correct answer:

Quiver

Explanation:

“Quake” is a verb that means “shake or tremble,” especially when referring to the earth, or “shake or shudder with fear” when referring to a person. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “shake.” That means that “freeze” cannot be the correct answer, because “freeze” can mean “to become paralyzed with fear or shock,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “quake.” “Quiver,” however, is a verb that means “to tremble or shake,” and because “quiver” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “quake,” “quiver” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

GLACIAL 

Possible Answers:

Natural 

Slow

Deliberate

Beautiful 

Melting

Correct answer:

Slow

Explanation:

"Glacial" can have two meanings: very cold or moving very slowly. ("Glacial" comes from the word "glacier," which is a huge mass of ice that moves extremely slowly.) Given that none of the answer choices are similar to the word "cold," the best synonym is one that means slow.Thus, the best answer choice is "slow." 

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

PITCH

Possible Answers:

Propel

Explode

Collect

Propose

Fabricate

Correct answer:

Propose

Explanation:

To pitch an idea or plan means to propose it.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

INCARNATION

Possible Answers:

Meal

Vessel

Lifetime

Demonstration

Choice

Correct answer:

Lifetime

Explanation:

An incarnation is the embodiment of a god, or an individual's lifetime.

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