SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #216 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Legend is to myth as terror is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cowardly

heroic

fake

joy

panic

Correct answer:

panic

Explanation:

"Legend" and "myth" are synonyms of one another. Both words refer to a traditional story that tells the life of someone who may or may not have been real, but was probably fake. Two famous examples of a "legend" or a "myth" are King Arthur and Robin Hood. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "terror." Well, "terror" means great fear, being very scared. So, the correct answer is "panic." Additionally, "fake" means not real; "joy" means great happiness; "cowardly" means not brave; "heroic" means brave, acting like a hero.

Example Question #217 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Crave is to desire as mend is to __________.

Possible Answers:

win

find

fix

lose

break

Correct answer:

fix

Explanation:

"Crave" and "desire" both mean to really want something, to want something so much that you need it. These two words are "synonyms" because they have the same meaning. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "mend." Well, "mend" means to repair something, to make something no longer broken so the correct answer is "fix."

Example Question #218 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Improper is to rude as __________ is to menacing.

Possible Answers:

intelligent

foolish

obese

dangerous

exciting

Correct answer:

dangerous

Explanation:

"Improper" means impolite, not proper. It is a synonym of "rude." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "menacing." Well, "menacing" means threatening, suggesting danger. So, the correct answer is "dangerous." Additionally, "obese" means fat; "intelligent" means clever, smart; "foolish" means unwise, not smart, stupid.

Example Question #219 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Ferocious is to __________ as loyal is to faithful.

Possible Answers:

elusive

devout

frightened

savage

boisterous

Correct answer:

savage

Explanation:

"Loyal" and "faithful" are synonyms of one another, both words mean showing reliable support and affection for. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "ferocious." Well, "ferocious" means fierce, wild, and cruel. The correct answer is therefore "savage," which has the same meaning. Additionally, "elusive" means hard to find, hard to catch; "frightened" means scared, afraid; "boisterous" means loud and noisy and badly behaved; "devout" means pious, deeply religious or spiritual.

Example Question #221 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Imply is to suggest as __________ is to lessen.

Possible Answers:

query

reduce

consider

enhance

despise

Correct answer:

reduce

Explanation:

"Imply" and "suggest" are synonyms of one another, both words mean to hint that something is true, to indirectly state something as true. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words has the same meaning as "lessen" which means to make smaller, to make less intense. The correct answer is "reduce." Additionally, "enhance" means make larger, make better; "query" means ask a question about; "despise" means deeply hate; "consider" means take time to think about.

Example Question #222 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Convince is to persuade as __________ is to bite.

Possible Answers:

nibble

argue

food

eat

teeth

Correct answer:

nibble

Explanation:

"Convince" and "persuade" are synonyms of one another. Both words mean to cause someone to do something they originally did not want to do. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these is a synonym of "bite." The correct answer is "nibble." Usually "nibble" means to take a small bite or to bite gently.

Example Question #223 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Heartfelt is to sincere as __________ is to bare.

Possible Answers:

clean

youthful

barren

full

unkempt

Correct answer:

barren

Explanation:

"Heartfelt" and "sincere" both mean honest and open, free from lies and tricks. These two words are "synonyms" of one another because they have the same meaning. So, which of these words is a synonym of "bare?" Well, "bare" means empty, lacking features, naked. The best available synonym is therefore "barren" which means not having anything, empty, lacking life. Additionally, "unkempt" means messy, untidy; "youthful" means young.

Example Question #224 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Flex is to bend as impede is to __________.

Possible Answers:

obstruct

postpone

irritate

mourn

glance

Correct answer:

obstruct

Explanation:

"Flex" and "bend" are synonyms of one another, both words mean to stretch or twist one's body. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these is a synonym of "impede." Well, "impede" means block the path of, get in the way of. This is the same definition as "obstruct," so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "postpone" means delay, stop with the intention to start again later; "irritate" means annoy; "glance" means look at quickly and secretively; "mourn" means feel or express sadness about the loss of.

Example Question #225 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Contempt is to respect as __________ is to worst.

Possible Answers:

substandard

imperfect

inadequate

inferior

optimum

Correct answer:

optimum

Explanation:

"Contempt" means dislike for and "respect" means admiration for, like for. These two words are considered "antonyms" because they have opposite meanings. To solve this analogy you therefore need to figure out which of these words has the opposite meaning to "worst." The correct answer is "optimum" which means best, perfect. All the other answer choices are related to being "worse" or "worst."

Example Question #112 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Cold is to hot as . . .

Possible Answers:

bear is to forest

day is to night

cold is to snow

star is to sky

light is to lightbulb

Correct answer:

day is to night

Explanation:

Since "cold" and "hot" are opposites, we're looking for an answer choice in which the two words are opposites. Since "day" is the opposite of "night," "day is to night" is the correct answer.

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