Synonyms: Nouns for Tangible Things

Help Questions

SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Nouns for Tangible Things

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

CONCRETE

Material

Abstract

Conceptual

Immaterial

Ethereal

Explanation

"Concrete" and "material" are used to describe things which exist in material reality. The other words are used to describe "abstractions" or things which exist conceptually.

2

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

CRUCIBLE

Vessel

Battle

Destiny

Carriage

Field

Explanation

A “crucible” is a pot in which metals or other substances are heated. "Vessel" is the best answer choice, as it means a container for holding things. To clarify the other terms, “destiny” means fate; a “carriage” is a wheeled vehicle for carrying passengers.

3

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

PROXY

Substitute

Corporation

Consequence

Salesman

Surgeon

Explanation

The noun "proxy" means replacement, substitute, someone who stands in for someone else. Additionally, "surgeon" means doctor who performs operations; a "corporation" is a large business owned by man shareholders; a "consequence" is a result of an action; a "salesman" is someone who sells things.

4

A synonym of “particle” is __________.

speck

pile

matter

air

dust

Explanation

“Particle” is a noun that means “a minute portion of matter,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a minute portion of matter.” That means that “pile” cannot be the correct answer, because “pile” means “a heap of things laid or lying one on top of another,” and “particle” is specifically only one thing. “Speck,” however, is a noun that can mean “a tiny spot” or “a small particle of a substance,” and because “speck” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “particle,” “speck” is the correct answer.

5

A synonym of "debris" is __________.

detritus

explosion

product

damage

cleanliness

Explanation

"Debris" is a noun that means "scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "fragments." While an explosion might cause debris, "explosion" does not mean the same thing as "debris," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Detritus," however, means "waste or debris of any kind," and because "detritus" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "debris," it is the correct answer.

6

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

PASTIME

Hobby

Deity

Prophecy

Memento

Treaty

Explanation

The noun "pastime" means hobby, recreational activity, something done for the purposes of fun and leisure. Additionally, a "memento" is a souvenir, an object that reminds one of an experience; a "deity" is a God; a "prophecy" is a prediction made about the future; a "treaty" is an agreement of peace terms between two or more conflicting parties.

7

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

LOOT

Spoils

Boot

Saddle

Collision

Cobbler

Explanation

"Loot" means "spoils," or stolen objects.

"Cobbler" is a person who repairs shoes.

"Collision" means the interaction in which two objects make forceful contact; collisions are typically accidental.

"Saddle" is the device made of leather or cloth worn on a horse's back that provides a seat for the rider.

"Boot" is a type of heavy shoe that goes above the ankle.

8

Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.

Tableau

Picture

Furniture

Control

Update

Innocence

Explanation

A "tableau" is a picture, as of a scene.

9

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

FAUNA

Animals

Plants

Cellular

Reptiles

Gulls

Explanation

"Fauna" means "animals," typically all of the animals in an ecosystem.

"Gulls" are a type of seabird. Gulls are a type of fauna but gulls is not a synonym for fauna.

"Reptiles" are a group of four legged animals such as lizards and turtles. Reptiles are a type of fauna, but reptile is not a synonym for fauna.

"Cellular" means a form of life composed of single cells, or forms of life contained in membranes.

"Plants" are a type of life that gains its energy through photosynthesis; plants are not fauna, but rather flora.

10

Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.

Artifact

Relic

Warrior

Civilian

Illustration

Destination

Explanation

"Artifact" is an article or relic; Warrior is a person who engages in combat; a Civilian is a non-military member of a country; an Illustration is a picture; a Destination means a final location.

Page 1 of 6
Return to subject