SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #538 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BEHOLDEN

Possible Answers:

Indebted

Miserable

Free

Atomic

Bored

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 #539 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANECDOTE

Possible Answers:

Canopy

Eulogy

Misdemeanor

Disturbance

Story

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:

Nook

Empowerment

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:

Apathy

Stain

Banter

Reference

Forgiveness

Correct answer:

Reference

Explanation:

An "allusion" is a casual reference to something.

Example Question #543 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AFFRONT

Possible Answers:

Insult

Arrangement

Chant

Sanity

Rigor

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 #544 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PAUCITY

Possible Answers:

Decibel

Scarcity 

Espionage

Annotation

Alacrity

Correct answer:

Scarcity 

Explanation:

"Paucity" means scarcity or small quantity.  

Example Question #545 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AUDACITY

Possible Answers:

Insult

Substitution

Background

Boldness

Refund

Correct answer:

Boldness

Explanation:

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

Example Question #588 : Synonyms

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

ONUS

Possible Answers:

Advancement

Hope

Burden

Trickery

Manifesto

Correct answer:

Burden

Explanation:

An "onus" is a burden or responsibility.

Example Question #546 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CANDOR

Possible Answers:

Recollection

Gestation

Disintegration

Intensity

Honesty

Correct answer:

Honesty

Explanation:

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

Example Question #547 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECONNAISSANCE

Possible Answers:

Future

Vendor

Espionage

Symmetry

Morality

Correct answer:

Espionage

Explanation:

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

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