SSAT Upper Level Verbal

A comprehensive guide to mastering the verbal section of the SSAT Upper Level, focusing on vocabulary, analogies, and reading comprehension skills.

Vocabulary FoundationsAnalogies and RelationshipsContext Clues in Sentences
Complex Analogy PatternsNuanced Vocabulary and Word RootsCritical Reading and Inference
Building a Daily Reading HabitUsing Vocabulary in ConversationSolving Real-World Problems with Analogies
Process of EliminationUsing Context to Your Advantage
Vocabulary Foundatio...Analogies and Relati...Context Clues in Sen...Complex Analogy Patt...Nuanced Vocabulary a...Critical Reading and...Building a Daily Rea...Using Vocabulary in ...Solving Real-World P...Process of Eliminati...Using Context to You...
Advanced Topics

Critical Reading and Inference

Reading Between the Lines

The SSAT verbal section rewards students who can read carefully and make logical guesses (inferences) about what the author means but doesn't say directly.

Skills for Critical Reading

  • Identifying Main Ideas: Find what the author is really saying.
  • Recognizing Author’s Tone: Is the passage happy, sad, angry, or neutral?
  • Making Inferences: Use clues to figure out information that isn’t stated.

Inference in Real Life

Inferences help you understand stories, news, and even people’s moods.

Examples

  • When a character shivers and pulls on a jacket, you can infer it’s cold.

  • If the author uses words like 'dismal' and 'gloomy,' you can infer a sad mood.

In a Nutshell

Critical reading means understanding what’s stated and what’s implied.

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Building a Daily Reading Habit
Critical Reading and Inference - SSAT Upper Level Verbal Content | Practice Hub