All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1951 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WHET
Accelerate
Belittle
Hone
Dampen
Find
Hone
"Whet" is a verb which means "to sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon," or "to excite or stimulate someone's desire, interest, or appetite." So, we need to pick out another verb that means something like "sharpen." While "whet" sounds like "wet," and "dampen" is synonymous with "wet" when "wet" is used as a verb, "whet" has a very different meaning than "wet," so "dampen" cannot be the correct answer. "Hone," however, is a verb that means "to sharpen with a whetstone" or "to make sharper or more focused or efficient." Since "hone" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "whet," "hone" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1952 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURTAIL
Reduce
Follow
Curmudgeon
Exacerbate
Deny
Reduce
While "follow" might seem like a good answer because to "tail" someone is to follow them, "curtail" does not mean the same thing as "tail," so "follow" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "curmudgeon" and "curtail" both begin with "cur-," curmudgeon is a noun and curtail is a verb, so they cannot be synonyms. Since "curtail" means "reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on," "reduce" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.
Example Question #1953 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOUSE
Dry
Dehydrate
Fluctuate
Mimic
Drench
Drench
"Douse" means to drench or extinguish, usually with water. Dehydrate and Dry would be the opposite meaning of douse. Fluctuate means to waver and mimic is to imitate, so they are not synonyms of douse.
Example Question #1954 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RETRACT
Poach
Withdraw
Permeate
Laud
Advance
Withdraw
"Retract" means to pull back or withdraw. Advance is to go forward, which is the opposite meaning of Retract. Poach means to hunt, Permeate means to penetrate, and Laud means to applause. None of these words have any relation to Retract.
Example Question #1997 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
Curtail
Capitulate
Invest
Repeal
Follow
Shorten
Shorten
To curtail means to cut short or shorten.
Example Question #1955 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VACILLATE
Preach
Fluctuate
Incriminate
Explore
Solidify
Fluctuate
To vacillate and to fluctuate both mean to continually shift back and forth.
Example Question #1956 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STRIKE
Dismiss
Anger
Fly
Propel
Hit
Hit
Strike means to hit forcibily.
Example Question #1957 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INFILTRATE
Revolutionize
Observe
Invade
Retreat
Matriculate
Invade
Infiltrate means to gain access to something surreptiously, or gradually invade.
Example Question #1958 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTERCEPT
Propel
Share
Consume
Obstruct
Produce
Obstruct
Intercept means to prevent something from getting to its destination, or to obstruct
Example Question #1959 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BURGEON
Margin
Bloom
Fish
Urge
Burden
Bloom
Something that is burgeoning is growing well and fruitfully, blossoming, or blooming.