SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #535 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BEHOLDEN

Possible Answers:

Miserable

Indebted

Atomic

Bored

Free

Correct answer:

Indebted

Explanation:

“Beholden” is an adjective that means “owing thanks for help or a service,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “owing thanks for something.” That means that “free” cannot be the correct answer, because “free” can mean “not subject to obligations,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “beholden.” “Indebted,” however, is an adjective that means either “owing money” or “owing gratitude for a service or favor,” and because “indebted” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “beholden,” “indebted” is the correct answer.

Example Question #536 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANECDOTE

Possible Answers:

Disturbance

Misdemeanor

Eulogy

Story

Canopy

Correct answer:

Story

Explanation:

An "anecdote" is a short story, typically drawn from personal experience.

Example Question #541 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISCOURSE

Possible Answers:

Empowerment

Nook

Conversation

Introduction

Musk

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

"Discourse" means conversation or group of conversations.  

Example Question #542 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALLUSION

Possible Answers:

Stain

Apathy

Banter

Reference

Forgiveness

Correct answer:

Reference

Explanation:

An "allusion" is a casual reference to something.

Example Question #211 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

AFFRONT

Possible Answers:

Sanity

Insult

Chant

Rigor

Arrangement

Correct answer:

Insult

Explanation:

An "affront" is an insult. The origin of this word is the Latin phrase "ad frontem," which means "at the forehead."

Example Question #212 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PAUCITY

Possible Answers:

Alacrity

Decibel

Scarcity 

Espionage

Annotation

Correct answer:

Scarcity 

Explanation:

"Paucity" means scarcity or small quantity.  

Example Question #213 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

AUDACITY

Possible Answers:

Substitution

Refund

Insult

Boldness

Background

Correct answer:

Boldness

Explanation:

"Audacity" means boldness or daring, especially without shame or thought of personal safety.

Example Question #214 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

ONUS

Possible Answers:

Trickery

Burden

Hope

Advancement

Manifesto

Correct answer:

Burden

Explanation:

An "onus" is a burden or responsibility.

Example Question #215 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

CANDOR

Possible Answers:

Intensity

Gestation

Honesty

Recollection

Disintegration

Correct answer:

Honesty

Explanation:

"Candor" means the quality of being open and honest.

Example Question #216 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

RECONNAISSANCE

Possible Answers:

Symmetry

Future

Morality

Vendor

Espionage

Correct answer:

Espionage

Explanation:

"Reconnaissance" and "espionage" both mean the act of spying.

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