SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #343 : Synonyms

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

ROOKERY

Possible Answers:

Housing

Eccentric

War

Game piece

Vestment

Correct answer:

Housing

Explanation:

A "rookery" is either a place where a large number of birds roosts or a dense collection of housing in an urban area. Don't confuse this with a "rook," which is a game piece in chess. A "vestment" is a garment, and a "ward" is a war is a prolonged military struggle. An "eccentric" is a zany, idiosyncratic person.

Example Question #344 : Synonyms

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

ERUCTATION

Possible Answers:

Explosion

Harbinger

Belch

Pestilence

Magma

Correct answer:

Belch

Explanation:

"Eructation" is a fancy word for "belch" or burp. Don't confuse this with an "eruption," or volcanic explosion of magma. A "pestilence" is a disease or plague. A "harbinger" is an omen or warning sign.

Example Question #345 : Synonyms

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

OPUS

Possible Answers:

Alacrity

Preamble

Epitaph

Ordeal

Composition

Correct answer:

Composition

Explanation:

An "opus" is a master work or composition, often in music or literature. This is different from a "preamble," which is an introduction. Another word for "ordeal" is travail. "Alacrity" is liveliness and eagerness. An "epitaph" is an elegy, often a brief one inscribed on a tombstone or monument.

Example Question #346 : Synonyms

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

LEXICON

Possible Answers:

Folly

Profanity

Itinerary

Dictionary

Levity

Correct answer:

Dictionary

Explanation:

A "lexicon" is a dictionary or vocabulary list. An "itinerary" is a schedule, and a "profanity" is an obscenity. "Folly" is foolishness or ignorance. "Levity" is lightheartedness or merriment.

Example Question #347 : Synonyms

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

CATERWAUL

Possible Answers:

Coppice

Peacekeeper

Yowl

Chanson

Pandemonium

Correct answer:

Yowl

Explanation:

A "caterwaul" is a "yowl," cry, or howl. A "coppice" is a thicket, and a "chanson" is a particular style of French song. A "peacekeeper" is someone who maintains peace. "Pandemonium" is a synonym for "chaos."

Example Question #348 : Synonyms

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

BIRTHRIGHT

Possible Answers:

Repast

Garment

Nativity

Heritage

Harangue

Correct answer:

Heritage

Explanation:

"Birthright" is "heritage" or inheritance. Don't confuse this with a "nativity," which is a birthplace. A "harangue" is a rant or tirade. A "repast" is a meal, and a "garment" is an item of clothing.

Example Question #349 : Synonyms

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

CELERITY

Possible Answers:

Severity

Ardor

Swiftness

Fervor

Nutrition

Correct answer:

Swiftness

Explanation:

"Celerity" is a synonym for swiftness, quickness. "Severity" means intensity, and "nutrition" refers to healthful food. "Ardor" and "fervor" are synonyms for "passion, zeal."

Example Question #350 : Synonyms

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

RESPITE

Possible Answers:

Effluvium

Folly

Unguent

Break

Lexicon

Correct answer:

Break

Explanation:

A "respite" is a "break" or an interlude. "Folly" is foolishness, and a "lexicon" is a dictionary or vocabulary list. "Effluvium" is another word for waste or discharge. An "unguent" is an ointment or balm.

Example Question #351 : Synonyms

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

AUGURY

Possible Answers:

Portent

Demeanor

Drill

Idiosyncrasy

Hazard

Correct answer:

Portent

Explanation:

"Augury" is a synonym for "portent" or omen. It would be very easy to confuse this word with "auger," which is a tool for drilling into the ground. A "hazard" is a danger, and an "idiosyncrasy" is a quirk or strange trait. "Demeanor" means comportment or bearing.

Example Question #352 : Synonyms

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

STRONGHOLD

Possible Answers:

Firmament

Bastion

Elucidation

Rant

Armament

Correct answer:

Bastion

Explanation:

A "bastion" is a "stronghold," protection, or guard against either a physical or a figurative threat. Don't confuse this with "armament," which means weaponry, or "firmament," which means sky. "Elucidation" means clarification. Another word for a "rant" is a harangue.

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