SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

COGITATE

Possible Answers:

Duplicate

Stalk

Ponder

Fake

Influence

Correct answer:

Ponder

Explanation:

"Cogitate" means think about or ponder, so "ponder" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "cogitate":  “stalk” means pursue stealthily;“fake” means to pretend that something is true; to “duplicate” something means to copy it; and to “influence” someone or something means to sway that person or it.

Example Question #62 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

GOAD

Possible Answers:

Garrison 

Recount 

Imply 

Provoke 

Understand 

Correct answer:

Provoke 

Explanation:

To “goad” somebody means to provoke themor to incite a reaction in them, so "provoke" is the correct answer. For clarification, "imply" means to suggest something without directly expressing it, and "garrison" means station military troops somewhere.

Example Question #63 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

OPINE

Possible Answers:

Inter

Mingle

Contest

Know

Contend

Correct answer:

Contend

Explanation:

“Opine” is a verb that means declare to be one’s opinion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like say as one’s opinion. That means that “know” cannot be the correct answer, because “know” can mean be absolutely certain or sure about something, and so deals with (perceived) facts instead of opinions. “Contend,” however, is a verb that means assert, and because “contend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “opine,” “contend” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2581 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PARDON

Possible Answers:

choose

forgive

complain

condemn

stumble

Correct answer:

forgive

Explanation:

"Pardon" means to forgive or excuse.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SUMMON

Possible Answers:

call

send

puncture

change

buy

Correct answer:

call

Explanation:

"Summon" means to urgently call someone.

Example Question #1786 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROSCRIBE

Possible Answers:

Reverse

Mix

Leak

Condemn

Recommend

Correct answer:

Condemn

Explanation:

To "proscribe" is to condemn.

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

REDACT

Possible Answers:

Edit

Churn

Starve

Pulse

Invigorate

Correct answer:

Edit

Explanation:

"Redact" means to censure or prepare a written work for being published, or "edit."

Example Question #1785 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JEER

Possible Answers:

Calm

Pass

Fasten

Portray

Taunt

Correct answer:

Taunt

Explanation:

Jeer means to deride, heckle, or "taunt" someone.

Example Question #1781 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COERCE

Possible Answers:

Pressure

Overcome

Call

Befriend

Bend

Correct answer:

Pressure

Explanation:

"Coerce" means to pressure someone into doing something, so "pressure" (considered as a verb) is the correct answer.

Example Question #1782 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WINCE

Possible Answers:

Crank

Bolster

Flinch

Relax

Operate

Correct answer:

Flinch

Explanation:

“Wince” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the potential answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “wince” as a verb. When used as a verb, “wince” means grimace or shrink away from. Therefore, “relax” cannot be the correct answer, because “relax” is an antonym, not a synonym, of “wince.” “Flinch,” however, is a verb that means jerk one's body back in surprise or fear, and because “flinch” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “wince,” “flinch” is the correct answer.

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