- PRAGMATIC
Answer: practical
PRAGMATIC means dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than idealistic considerations. Choice B is correct. Choice A (idealistic) is nearly opposite in meaning. Choice C (theoretical) emphasizes abstract concepts rather than practical application. Choice D (emotional) refers to feelings rather than practical reasoning.
- CANDOR
Answer: frankness
CANDOR means the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness or sincerity. Choice C is correct. Choice A (deception) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (politeness) refers to courteous behavior, not necessarily honest expression. Choice D (hesitation) refers to pausing or uncertainty, not directness.
- TANGIBLE
Answer: concrete
TANGIBLE means perceptible by touch; clear and definite; real and concrete rather than imaginary or abstract. Choice B is correct. Choice A (abstract) is the opposite meaning. Choice C (temporary) refers to duration, not to physical reality. Choice D (valuable) refers to worth, not to physical or concrete existence.
- 5. Which word is closest in meaning to eschew? "She eschewed gossip to protect reputations."
Answer: avoid
This question tests SSAT Upper Level verbal skills, specifically selecting synonyms that match a target word in context. Understanding synonyms involves recognizing words with similar meanings and applying them in context. In this passage, the target word 'eschew' appears in a context where someone avoids gossip to protect reputations, suggesting deliberate avoidance. Choice A (avoid) is correct because it accurately matches the meaning of 'eschew' in this context, evidenced by the purposeful action of staying away from gossip. Choice C (pursue) is incorrect because it represents actively seeking something—the opposite of eschewing—which students might choose if they misinterpret the formal register of the word. To help students, encourage them to recognize that 'eschew' is a formal synonym for 'avoid' or 'shun,' and practice identifying context clues that indicate deliberate abstention from something.
- ALLEVIATE
Answer: ease
ALLEVIATE means to make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe; to ease or relieve. Choice C is correct. Choice A (worsen) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (create) means to bring into existence, not to reduce severity. Choice D (hide) means to conceal, not to reduce or relieve.
- 9. Select the synonym for prevaricate used in context: "Pressed for details, he prevaricated."
Answer: equivocate
This question tests SSAT Upper Level verbal skills, specifically selecting synonyms that match a target word in context. Understanding synonyms involves recognizing words with similar meanings and applying them in context. In this passage, the target word 'prevaricate' appears in a context where someone avoids giving details when pressed, suggesting evasion or deliberate vagueness. Choice C (equivocate) is correct because it accurately matches the meaning of 'prevaricate' in this context, evidenced by the evasive response when asked for specifics. Choice A (confess) is incorrect because it represents admitting or revealing truth—the opposite of prevaricating—which students might choose if they misunderstand the context of being 'pressed for details.' To help students, encourage them to recognize that both 'prevaricate' and 'equivocate' mean to speak evasively or misleadingly, often to avoid telling the truth directly.
- 4. In the context, what does mitigate most closely mean? "A compromise mitigated the harsh policy."
Answer: moderate
This question tests SSAT Upper Level verbal skills, specifically selecting synonyms that match a target word in context. Understanding synonyms involves recognizing words with similar meanings and applying them in context. In this passage, the target word 'mitigate' appears in a context where a compromise lessens the severity of a harsh policy, suggesting moderation or reduction. Choice B (moderate) is correct because it accurately matches the meaning of 'mitigate' in this context, evidenced by how the compromise makes the harsh policy less severe. Choice A (intensify) is incorrect because it represents making something stronger or more severe—the opposite of mitigation—which students might choose if they confuse the prefix or misread the context. To help students, encourage them to recognize that 'mitigate' means to make less severe or serious, and practice identifying words that indicate reduction or softening of negative effects.
- UBIQUITOUS
Answer: everywhere
UBIQUITOUS means existing or being everywhere at the same time; omnipresent. Choice B is correct. Choice A (scarce) is the opposite meaning. Choice C (valuable) refers to worth, not presence. Choice D (recent) refers to timing, not widespread presence.
- COPIOUS
Answer: abundant
COPIOUS means abundant in supply or quantity; plentiful or existing in large amounts. Choice C is correct. Choice A (scarce) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (expensive) refers to high cost, not quantity. Choice D (artificial) refers to being man-made or fake, not to abundance.
- VEHEMENT
Answer: passionate
VEHEMENT means showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense in expression or conviction. Choice C is correct. Choice A (mild) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (intelligent) refers to mental ability, not to intensity of feeling. Choice D (wealthy) refers to having money, not to emotional intensity.
- FASTIDIOUS
Answer: particular
FASTIDIOUS means very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; particular about cleanliness, appearance, or standards. Choice C is correct. Choice A (sloppy) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (quick) refers to speed, not to attention to detail. Choice D (generous) refers to giving freely, not to high standards.
- CIRCUMSPECT
Answer: wary
CIRCUMSPECT means wary and unwilling to take risks; careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences. Choice C is correct. Choice A (reckless) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (generous) refers to giving freely, not to caution. Choice D (honest) refers to truthfulness, not to careful consideration.
- TENACIOUS
Answer: persistent
TENACIOUS means tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely; persistent and determined. Choice A is correct. Choice B (flexible) suggests adaptability rather than firm persistence. Choice C (timid) suggests shyness or lack of confidence. Choice D (careless) suggests lack of attention or concern.
- VERBOSE
Answer: wordy
VERBOSE means using or expressed in more words than are needed; wordy or long-winded. Choice B is correct. Choice A (concise) is the opposite meaning. Choice C (silent) refers to not speaking at all, not excessive speaking. Choice D (unclear) refers to lack of clarity, not excessive wordiness.
- FUTILE
Answer: useless
FUTILE means incapable of producing any useful result; pointless or useless. Choice C is correct. Choice A (productive) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (expensive) refers to high cost, not to effectiveness. Choice D (dangerous) refers to potential harm, not to lack of usefulness.
- 8. In the context of the passage, what does prolific most closely mean? "The prolific author published three novels yearly."
Answer: fruitful
This question tests SSAT Upper Level verbal skills, specifically selecting synonyms that match a target word in context. Understanding synonyms involves recognizing words with similar meanings and applying them in context. In this passage, the target word 'prolific' appears in a context where an author publishes three novels yearly, suggesting high productivity. Choice C (fruitful) is correct because it accurately matches the meaning of 'prolific' in this context, evidenced by the abundant output of three novels per year. Choice A (unproductive) is incorrect because it represents the opposite meaning—lacking in output—which students might choose if they confuse the 'pro-' prefix with a negative connotation. To help students, encourage them to recognize that 'prolific' means producing abundantly, whether in creative works, offspring, or other outputs, and both 'prolific' and 'fruitful' suggest abundant production.
- PLACID
Answer: serene
PLACID means not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful in character or mood. Choice B is correct. Choice A (turbulent) is the opposite meaning. Choice C (exciting) suggests stimulation and activity, opposite to placid calmness. Choice D (mysterious) refers to being difficult to understand, not to calmness.
- EPHEMERAL
Answer: short-lived
EPHEMERAL means lasting for a very short time; transitory. Choice C is correct. Choice A (permanent) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (mysterious) refers to being difficult to understand, not duration. Choice D (beautiful) refers to aesthetic appeal, not temporal length.
- ARDUOUS
Answer: strenuous
ARDUOUS means involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring. Choice C is correct. Choice A (effortless) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (pleasant) refers to being agreeable, not to difficulty level. Choice D (brief) refers to duration, not to the level of effort required.
- METICULOUS
Answer: thorough
METICULOUS means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. Choice C is correct. Choice A (careless) is the opposite meaning. Choice B (speedy) refers to quickness, which often conflicts with being meticulous. Choice D (creative) refers to imagination or originality, not attention to detail.
