Synonyms

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SSAT Elementary Level Verbal › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

VULNERABLE

Undefended

Angry

Reckless

Sad

Frightened

Explanation

If a castle wall or a defense is “vulnerable,” it is open to an attack or lacking a defense. It is similar in meaning to "undefended," which means not defended. To further help you, if you are “reckless,” you do not consider the results of your actions; “frightened” means scared.

2

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

ANALYZE

Study

Ignore

Mock

Decide

Test

Explanation

"Analyze" means to study closely, so "study" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "study": "ignore" means refuse to pay any attention to; "mock" means make fun of; "decide" means choose; and "test," when used as a verb, means evaluate or investigate.

3

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TOPPLE

Overthrow

Whirl

Bluff

Straighten

Increase

Explanation

"Topple" means to fall or to cause to fall and can be used in a literal, physical sense, like "The tree the lumberjack had been chopping at for an hour finally toppled over," or it can be used in a metaphorical sense, like "The prejudiced government was toppled and a new, more egalitarian one was established in its place." So, "overthrow," which means unseat from a role of power through the use of force, is the correct answer, as it is close in meaning to the second described meaning of "topple."

4

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

NORMAL

Ordinary

Abnormal

Bold

Illuminating

Excitable

Explanation

"Normal" is defined as conforming to a usual standard. Since "ordinary" is defined as normal or not distinct, "ordinary" is our best answer choice. "Abnormal" and "normal" are antonyms.

5

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

DESTROY

Demolish

Employ

Convoy

Abolish

Create

Explanation

To "destroy" something means to dismantle it completely, or to demolish it, so "demolish" is the correct answer. Considering the answer choices, "employ" means make use of, a "convoy" is a groups of vehicles traveling together, to "abolish" something means to put an end to it, and "create" means make, produce,or generate.

6

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SEMICIRCLE

Half circle

Sphere

Parallel

Slope

Gradient

Explanation

The prefix "semi-" usually means half, so we can assume that a “semicircle” is half a circle. To provide further help, a three-dimensional circle is called a “sphere;” “parallel” means running alongside, having the same slope; “slope” means slanted ground; “gradient” means slope. In addition to being terms we use in English, these are also all mathematical terms.

7

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

CHANGE

Alteration

Leftovers

Scraps

Excess

Remnant

Explanation

The noun "change" is closest in meaning to "alteration." These words are synonymous. All of the other answer choices are a) not related to the word "change" and b) closely related to each other. If you recognize all of the answer choices that mean nearly the same thing to each other, you can easily find the answer choice that stands out as being unrelated to the other incorrect choices.

8

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

ACCURATE

Exact

Fast

Imprecise

Slow

Timely

Explanation

"Accurate" means correctly measured, exact, or precise, so "exact" is the correct answer. To help you, "imprecise" means not accurate, and "timely" means occurring at the right time.

9

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

VITAL

Important

Vexed

Extreme

Flood

Interior

Explanation

VITAL means significant or important.

10

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

ILLUMINATION

Light

Darkness

Climate

Arrest

Power

Explanation

"Illumination" comes from the root verb "illuminate" which means to light something up. The suffix "-ion" indicates a noun.

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