SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

REPROACH

Possible Answers:

Fault

Identify

Congratulate

Whirl

Bend

Correct answer:

Fault

Explanation:

“Reproach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “reproach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “reproach” means “to express disapproval or disappointment,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “express disapproval or disappointment.” That means that “congratulate” cannot be the correct answer, because “congratulate” means “to praise for a particular achievement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reproach.” “Fault,” however, when used as a verb, means “criticize for inadequacy or mistakes,” and because “fault” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reproach,” “fault” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

VAULT

Possible Answers:

Tumble

Hurdle

Run

Forget

Motion

Correct answer:

Hurdle

Explanation:

“Vault” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “vault” as a verb. When used as a verb, “vault” means “leap or spring,” or, when used with an object, “jump over an obstacle.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “leap over something.” That means that “tumble” cannot be the correct answer, because “tumble,” when used as a verb, typically refers to a person and means “fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong,” a meaning very distant from that of “vault.” “Hurdle,” however, when used as a verb, means “jump over (a hurdle or other obstacle) while running,” when used with an object, and because “hurdle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vault,” “hurdle” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BREACH

Possible Answers:

Mix

Infringe

Excuse

Skirt

Obey

Correct answer:

Infringe

Explanation:

“Breach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “breach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “breach” can mean “make a gap in something and break through” or “break or fail to observe something contracted or necessary.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “break through” or “fail to observe.” That means that “obey” cannot be the correct answer, because “obey” can mean “ behave in accordance with authority,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “breach.” “Infringe,” however, is a verb that can mean “actively break the terms of a contract or law,” and because “infringe” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “breach,” “infringe” is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

UTTER

Possible Answers:

Say

Complain

Herald

Perform

Miss

Correct answer:

Say

Explanation:

"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BRIEF

Possible Answers:

Sculpt

Inform

Cover

Shorten

Fabricate

Correct answer:

Inform

Explanation:

To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

ENGINEER

Possible Answers:

Proselytise

Partake

Contrive

Travel

Record

Correct answer:

Contrive

Explanation:

To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

MINUTE

Possible Answers:

Pious

Tiny

Worldly

Punctual

Quiet

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

One definition of minute is very small.  

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

CURB

Possible Answers:

Mollify

Sort

Ostracize

Harmonize

Restrain

Correct answer:

Restrain

Explanation:

To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BRANCH

Possible Answers:

Coinage

Division

Banknotes

Currency

Bills

Correct answer:

Division

Explanation:

The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

WILL

Possible Answers:

Can

Of

Might

Determination

Future

Correct answer:

Determination

Explanation:

"Will" and "determination" are synonyms. In this case, we must distinguish between the word "will" as it would be used in a verb construction and think of the word as a representation of one's willpower or drive.

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