SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ACQUIT

Possible Answers:

Exonerate

Imprision

Ignore

Judge

Sentence

Correct answer:

Exonerate

Explanation:

When someone is “acquitted” of an action, he or she is “forgiven” or set free from any sort of charges of that action. For instance, someone “acquitted of murder” is judged to be innocent of the crime. The word “exonerate” best matches this usage. It means to remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaning to lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” means out of or away from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaning burdensome or difficult.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

VERBOSE

Possible Answers:

Literary

Literal

Conjugated

Wordy

Soft-spoken

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MALICE

Possible Answers:

Benevolence

Malevolence

Information

Courage

Presentation

Correct answer:

Malevolence

Explanation:

"Malice" means evil or the quality of desiring to harm others. So, the correct answer is "malevolence," which also means the quality of desiring to harm others. 

Example Question #2231 : Synonyms

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

Subterfuge

Possible Answers:

Onset

Underground

Grain

Evasion

Information

Correct answer:

Evasion

Explanation:

"Subterfuge" means a stratagem used to evade a consequence or conceal something. The best answer choice is "evasion." The Latin root word, "subter," means secretly, and the Latin root word, "fugere," means to flee.

Example Question #2232 : Synonyms

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Volatile

Captivating

Friendly

Perfect

Regimented 

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

Benevolent means kind, friendly, or charitable.  The root word "bene" means good or well. 

Example Question #2233 : Synonyms

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Urgent

Harmless

Violent

Flexible

Kindly

Correct answer:

Kindly

Explanation:

Someone who is benevolent is kindly, helpful, or friendly. The root word is "bene," Latin for "good."

Example Question #2234 : Synonyms

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

CIRCUMLOCUTION

Possible Answers:

Journey

Spin

Wandering

Evasion

Incoherence

Correct answer:

Evasion

Explanation:

Circumlocution is the act of talking around the point instead of getting directly to it; it's speaking evasively or indirectly. The roots are "circum", Latin for "around", and "locut-" Latin for "speaking;" "circumlocution" is "around-speaking."

Example Question #2235 : Synonyms

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

COGENT

Possible Answers:

Convincing

Hidden

Urgent

Machine-like

Deluded

Correct answer:

Convincing

Explanation:

Something that is cogent is logical, sensible, and intelligent. It comes from the Latin root "cog-" meaning "think/know", as in "cognition" (the act of thinking or knowing) and "incognito" (unknown, or under cover).

Example Question #2236 : Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Obese

Rotting

Thoughtful

Unified

Friendly

Correct answer:

Obese

Explanation:

Someone who is corpulent is very fat, or obese. This comes from the Latin root "corp-", meaning body, as in "corpse" and "incorporate."

Example Question #2237 : Synonyms

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

CREDULITY

Possible Answers:

Misery

Gullibility

Hilarity

Cruelty

Fidelity

Correct answer:

Gullibility

Explanation:

Credulity is the condition of being eager to believe something, so the synonym is gullibility. The Latin root here is "cred-", which means to believe, as in "credit" (being willing to trust or believe someone or something), and "incredible" (unbelievable).

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