SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

LIFELESS

Possible Answers:

Adept

Intimidating

Insane

Abundant

Deceased

Correct answer:

Deceased

Explanation:

"Lifeless" means dead or deceased. "Abundant" means a lot or plentiful. "Intimidating" means causing fear or terror in a person. "Insane" means crazy or mentally ill. "Adept" means very skilled in something.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

SLAVISH. 

Possible Answers:

Haughty 

Mollify 

Juxtapose

Servile 

Significant 

Correct answer:

Servile 

Explanation:

“Slavish” means slave-like, as in slave-ish, and unoriginal or mindless. This is most similar in meaning to servile which means servant-like, obedient. For clarification, haughty means arrogant; mollify means calm; juxtapose mean compare and contrast.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

ABODE

Possible Answers:

Abound

Residue

Residence

Above

Abolition

Correct answer:

Residence

Explanation:

The words "abode" and "residence" are synonymous nouns referring to domiciles. The other words do not have meanings that are well aligned with that of "abode."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

DOMICILE.

Possible Answers:

Friend 

Work 

Criminal 

Home 

Suspect 

Correct answer:

Home 

Explanation:

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated. 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ADUMBRATE

Possible Answers:

Store

Mesmerize

Outline

Repel

Assassinate 

Correct answer:

Outline

Explanation:

To "adumbrate" is to outline, sketch, or give a faint indication of something.  The root "umbra" means shadow. So, "outline" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "adumbrate."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MOLLIFY

Possible Answers:

Banter

Meander

Soften

Magnify

Pursue

Correct answer:

Soften

Explanation:

"Mollify" is a verb that means to soften or calm.  The root word "molli" means soft. So, "soften" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mollify."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Generous

Painful

Systemic

Windy

Subjective

Correct answer:

Generous

Explanation:

"Magnanimous" means generous and noble.  The root "magn" means great in Latin, while the root word "animus" means spirit in Latin. So, "generous" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "magnanimous."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

NEOPHYTE

Possible Answers:

Tolerance

Aid

Jester

Novice

Straw

Correct answer:

Novice

Explanation:

A "neophyte" is a beginner or a novice, so "novice" is the correct answer. The root words neo and nov both mean new. The root phyte means growth. None of the other words are close in meaning to "neophyte": "straw" means hay; "aid" means help; "jester" means clown; and "tolerance" means acceptance.  

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ARBOREAL

Possible Answers:

Pertaining to human beings

Pertaining to the atmosphere

Pertaining to water

Pertaining to rocks

Pertaining to trees

Correct answer:

Pertaining to trees

Explanation:

The word "arboreal" means pertaining to trees. You might be able to infer this because "arbor" is the Latin word for tree. So, the best answer choice is "pertaining to trees."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

SOLILOQUY

Possible Answers:

Permission

Destiny

Sphere

Stagnation

Monologue

Correct answer:

Monologue

Explanation:

A "soliloquy" is a monologue. The root word "sol-" means alone, and the root word "loqu-" means talk. "Monologue" is thus the correct answer.

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