SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #597 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LARGESSE

Possible Answers:

Fear

Stinginess 

Happiness

Sadness

Generosity 

Correct answer:

Generosity 

Explanation:

“Largesse” refers to the generous giving of gifts or money, so the correct answer is generosity. For clarification, stinginess is an antonym of generosity.

Example Question #642 : Synonyms

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

SAGACITY

Possible Answers:

Perpetuity

Wisdom

Premonition

Oblivion

Foolishness

Correct answer:

Wisdom

Explanation:

"Sagacity" means wisdom. "Foolishness" is an antonym of "sagacity"; it means stupidity or silliness. None of the other words have the same meaning as "sagacity." "Premonition" means a feeling about what will happen in the future, usually something bad. "Persistence" means the refusal to quit at a difficult task or the existence of something over time. "Oblivion" means unconsciousness.

Example Question #601 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HALLUCINATION

Possible Answers:

Hunch

Olfaction

Vision

Palate

Feeling

Correct answer:

Vision

Explanation:

The word "vision" can be used to describe a "hallucination;" these words are synonyms describing seeing imagined objects in one's mind. The other words primarily describe human senses.

Example Question #602 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMAGE

Possible Answers:

Symbol

Waveform

System

Pixel

Syllable

Correct answer:

Symbol

Explanation:

In this problem, the words "image" and "symbol" are closest in meaning. Although options like "waveform" or "pixel" may seem somewhat related, the meanings of "image" and "symbol" are more closely tied, they both refer to something used to stand in for or represent.

Example Question #603 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABERRATION

Possible Answers:

Tempest

Anomaly

Hegemony

Injury

Decline

Correct answer:

Anomaly

Explanation:

An "aberration" is an anomaly, a deviation from what is normal. An "injury' is a wound, a "tempest" is a storm, and a "decline" is the opposite of an increase. "Hegemony" means supremacy or dominance and is usually used in a negative context.

Example Question #604 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EMPHASIS

Possible Answers:

Anomaly

Polity

Accent

Constituent

Amity

Correct answer:

Accent

Explanation:

To "emphasize" something is to accent or underscore it. A "constituent" is a component of something larger or, depending on context, a voting person. "Amity" means friendship, and "polity" means a geographic area (such as a city or state) with a government. An "anomaly" is an aberration.

Example Question #605 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPLEEN

Possible Answers:

Wrath

Indolence

Acumen

Hunger

Philanthropy

Correct answer:

Wrath

Explanation:

While "spleen" sometimes describes a body part, it is also a word for extreme anger and wrath. "Philanthropy" is charity, and "acumen" is sharpness or shrewdness. "Indolence" means laziness.

Example Question #606 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SINCERITY

Possible Answers:

Humility

Timidity

Empathy

Candor

Temerity

Correct answer:

Candor

Explanation:

To be "sincere" is to be candid and forthright. "Humility" and "modesty" are near synonyms, as are "empathy" and "sympathy." "Timidity" means meekness or shyness. "Temerity" means boldness.

Example Question #607 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALACRITY

Possible Answers:

Tyranny

Insanity

Liveliness

Hegemony

Opulence

Correct answer:

Liveliness

Explanation:

"Alacrity" means liveliness or eagerness, depending on the context. "Hegemony" means supremacy or authoritarian dominance. A "tyranny" is a dictatorship, and "opulence" means luxury and wealth. "Insanity" means craziness.

Example Question #608 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WRATH

Possible Answers:

Duplicity

Specter

Fury

Ghost

Mendacity

Correct answer:

Fury

Explanation:

"Wrath" means extreme rage or fury. "Wraith" is a word for phantom, but don't mix up the two. "Mendacity" and "duplicity" are both synonyms for dishonesty.

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