SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #581 : Synonyms

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

BEHOLDEN

Possible Answers:

Miserable

Atomic

Bored

Indebted

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 #582 : Synonyms

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

ANECDOTE

Possible Answers:

Misdemeanor

Canopy

Story

Eulogy

Disturbance

Correct answer:

Story

Explanation:

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

Example Question #583 : Synonyms

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

DISCOURSE

Possible Answers:

Musk

Conversation

Introduction

Nook

Empowerment

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

"Discourse" means conversation or group of conversations.  

Example Question #584 : Synonyms

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

ALLUSION

Possible Answers:

Stain

Reference

Forgiveness

Banter

Apathy

Correct answer:

Reference

Explanation:

An "allusion" is a casual reference to something.

Example Question #585 : Synonyms

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

AFFRONT

Possible Answers:

Chant

Arrangement

Rigor

Sanity

Insult

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 #586 : Synonyms

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

PAUCITY

Possible Answers:

Scarcity 

Alacrity

Decibel

Annotation

Espionage

Correct answer:

Scarcity 

Explanation:

"Paucity" means scarcity or small quantity.  

Example Question #587 : Synonyms

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

AUDACITY

Possible Answers:

Substitution

Boldness

Background

Refund

Insult

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:

Manifesto

Advancement

Trickery

Hope

Burden

Correct answer:

Burden

Explanation:

An "onus" is a burden or responsibility.

Example Question #589 : Synonyms

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

CANDOR

Possible Answers:

Recollection

Disintegration

Honesty

Intensity

Gestation

Correct answer:

Honesty

Explanation:

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

Example Question #590 : Synonyms

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

RECONNAISSANCE

Possible Answers:

Vendor

Symmetry

Future

Espionage

Morality

Correct answer:

Espionage

Explanation:

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

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors