SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #611 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MELANCHOLY

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Jealousy

Wrath

Lechery

Jubilation

Correct answer:

Sadness

Explanation:

"Melancholy" describes the feeling of sadness and dejection. "Jealousy" and "envy" are synonyms. "Lechery" and "lust" are synonyms. "Jubilation" means joy, and "wrath" means fury or envy.

Example Question #612 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INFAMY

Possible Answers:

Philanthropy

Enthusiasm

Bravery

Brutality

Notoriety

Correct answer:

Notoriety

Explanation:

Something "notorious" is infamous, or well known for a disreputable reason. "Bravery" means courage, and "philanthropy" means charity. "Brutality" means savage and cruel violence. "Enthusiasm" and "eagerness" are synonyms.

Example Question #613 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OPULENCE

Possible Answers:

Ignorance

Penury

Tempest

Luxuriousness

Emphasis

Correct answer:

Luxuriousness

Explanation:

"Opulence" means luxuriousness, wealth, and splendor. "Penury" means poverty, and "ignorance" means the lack of knowledge. A "tempest" is a storm. "Emphasis" means either special importance and prominence or accent, depending on the context.

Example Question #614 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABSTENTION

Possible Answers:

Inebriation

Sophistication

Intolerance

Sobriety

Elegance

Correct answer:

Sobriety

Explanation:

"Abstention" and "sobriety" are synonyms. They are the opposite of "inebriation," which means intoxication or drunkenness. "Intolerance" means narrow-mindedness, and "elegance" means stylishness, grace, or sophistication.

Example Question #615 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VIVACITY

Possible Answers:

Temerity

Liveliness

Audacity

Fury

Abstention

Correct answer:

Liveliness

Explanation:

"Vivacity" and "liveliness" both describe an animated, energetic quality. "Fury" means wrath or anger. "Abstention" means sobriety, and "temerity" means both audacity and boldness.

Example Question #616 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMMENDATION

Possible Answers:

Candor

Caution

Amity

Insults

Acclaim

Correct answer:

Acclaim

Explanation:

"Commendation" means acclaim and praise. It is an antonym of "insult." Caution means taking care to avoid danger or errors. "Candor" means sincerity, and "amity" means friendship.

Example Question #617 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMBIVALENCE

Possible Answers:

Aberration

Duplicity

Vivacity

Mediocrity

Equivocation

Correct answer:

Equivocation

Explanation:

"Ambivalence" and "equivocation" both describe the state of having contradictory feelings and thoughts. "Vivacity" means liveliness, and an "aberration" means an anomaly or deviation from the norm. Something "mediocre" is of moderate, but not exceptional, worth. "Duplicity" and "dishonesty" are synonyms.

Example Question #618 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACUMEN

Possible Answers:

Inquisitiveness

Dishonesty

Bashfulness

Shrewdness

Lasciviousness

Correct answer:

Shrewdness

Explanation:

"Acumen" means shrewdness or astuteness. "Lasciviousness" means lustfulness. "Bashfulness" means shyness. "Inquisitiveness" and "curiousness" are synonyms. "Dishonesty" is another word for "duplicity."

Example Question #619 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMITY

Possible Answers:

Friendship

Temerity

Spleen

Audacity

Hilarity

Correct answer:

Friendship

Explanation:

"Amity" means friendship, pleasant relationships. "Spleen" means wrath, fury. "Hilarity" means amusement and laughter. "Temerity" and "audacity" both mean boldness.

Example Question #620 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REDUNDANCY

Possible Answers:

Bigotry

Mendacity

Repetition

Amity

Wit

Correct answer:

Repetition

Explanation:

"Redundancy" means unnecessary repetition. "Mendacity" means dishonesty. "Bigotry" is intolerance, and "amity" is friendship. "Wit" means intelligent and clever humor.

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