SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #211 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

LACERATION

Possible Answers:

Amity

Cut

Health

Penury

Complicity

Correct answer:

Cut

Explanation:

"Laceration" is the medical term for a "cut" or wound. "Complicity" is guilt, and "penury" is extreme poverty. "Amity" is friendship. "Health" is an antonym of "sickness."

Example Question #212 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

SANCTUARY

Possible Answers:

Peril

Domicile

Asylum

Clergy

Wound

Correct answer:

Asylum

Explanation:

A "sanctuary" is a refuge, "asylum," or safe place. "Peril" means danger, and a "wound" is an injury. A "domicile" is a home or dwelling place. "Clergy" is a collective noun that describes a group of religious leaders and officials.

Example Question #213 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

SARCOPHAGUS

Possible Answers:

Cabin

Fracas

Coffin

Journal

Lecher

Correct answer:

Coffin

Explanation:

A "sarcophagus" is an ornamental coffin such as the ones found in ancient Egypt. A "cabin" is a small, rustic home in the woods, and a "lecher" is a lustful person. A "fracas" is a fight or disturbance, and a "journal" is a daily written record of events.

Example Question #214 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DOMICILE

Possible Answers:

Abode

Bigot

Injury

Misogynist

Specialty

Correct answer:

Abode

Explanation:

A "domicile" is a "home" or abode. A "specialty" is a particular area of expertise or skill. An "injury" is a wound, and a "bigot" is a biased or prejudiced person. A "misogynist" is someone who is hateful or unfair toward women.

Example Question #215 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

CONSENSUS

Possible Answers:

Discord

Mendicant

Citadel

Disposition

Agreement

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

The noun "consensus" is used to describe universal agreement, when everyone agrees on something. It is an antonym of "discord" which means disagreement, a lack of harmony. Additionally, a "mendicant" is a person who begs to survive; a "citadel" is a fortress, a stronghold; "disposition" is behavior, attitude, manner.

Example Question #216 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FACET

Possible Answers:

Charlatan

Aspect

Quack

Progeny

Epoch

Correct answer:

Aspect

Explanation:

The noun "facet" can be used either to refer to one-side of an object or an aspect, a component of something larger. Additionally, a "quack" is someone who pretends to be an expert but is actually not; a "charlatan" is another word for a quack, someone who fakes expertise; an "epoch" is an era of history, a period of time; "progeny" is offspring, children.

Example Question #217 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

INGRESS

Possible Answers:

Sanction

Entrance

Exit

Contrition

Conundrum

Correct answer:

Entrance

Explanation:

The noun "ingress" means entrance, place of entry. The antonym is "egress" which means exit. Additionally, a "conundrum" is a problem, a predicament (usually with two viable solutions); a "sanction" (rather confusingly unfortunately) can be either an official punishment or an official authorization - you will have to use context to determine in which fashion it is being used in the future; "contrition" is a feeling of genuine remorse and desire to atone.

Example Question #218 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

HOMILY

Possible Answers:

Ditty

Sermon

Eulogy

Elegy

Obituary

Correct answer:

Sermon

Explanation:

The noun "homily" means religious speech that is meant to provide spiritual enlightenment. This is closest in meaning to "sermon." Additionally, an "obituary" is a column written about someone's life in a newspaper after that someone has died; a "eulogy" is a poem for someone who has passed away; an "elegy" is a poem of serious reflection and gravity, also usually intended for the dead; a "ditty" is a lighthearted, playful song.

Example Question #219 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FAUNA

Possible Answers:

Plants

Animals

Humans

Extraterrestrials

Children

Correct answer:

Animals

Explanation:

The noun "fauna" is an all-encompassing term that means animals. It is usually accompanied by "flora" which means plants, as in "The Flora and Fauna of the continental United States." Additionally, "extraterrestrials" are aliens, literally creatures from beyond the Earth.

Example Question #220 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

MAELSTROM

Possible Answers:

Tempest

Paucity

Harbinger

Ditty

Ferocity

Correct answer:

Tempest

Explanation:

A "maelstrom" is a "tempest" or intense storm. "Ferocity" is fierceness, and "paucity" is scarcity. A "ditty" is a short, simple tune. "Harbinger" and "omen" are synonyms.

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