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 #167 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Sensible is to wise as endless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

possible

strange

infinite 

finite 

impossible

Correct answer:

infinite 

Explanation:

"Sensible" and "wise" both describe someone who is clever and makes smart decisions, so the two words are synonyms. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best synonym of "endless." Something that is "endless" does not have an end; this is closest in definition to “infinite,” which can mean not having an end or lasting forever. To help you, "finite" means having a specific start and end or not lasting forever, and "impossible" means not possible or unable to be done.

Example Question #217 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Unique is to original as private is to __________.

Possible Answers:

personal 

chaotic 

enigmatic 

distinct 

property 

Correct answer:

personal 

Explanation:

"Unique" means original or unlike anything else, so the two words are synonyms. So, to solve this analogy, you must identify the best available synonym of "private." Something that is "private" is personal and secret, so "personal" is the correct answer. To help you, "property" refers to things you own, "distinct" means different, "chaotic" means out of control, and "enigmatic" means mysterious.

Example Question #168 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Belongings are to possessions as custom is to __________.

Possible Answers:

innovation 

adventure 

invention 

tradition 

voyage 

Correct answer:

tradition 

Explanation:

"Belongings" means possessions or things you own, so the two words are synonyms of one another. To solve this analogy, you have to identify the best synonym of "custom." A "custom" is a habit dating back a long time. This is closest in meaning to a “tradition.” To help you, "innovation" means new idea or breakthrough, "invention" is something you make or make up, and a "voyage" is a long trip, usually made by sea.

Example Question #219 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Tough is to strong as __________.

Possible Answers:

high is to lofty

dress is to fabric

mess is to clean

cute is to chute

fat is to flat

Correct answer:

high is to lofty

Explanation:

"Tough" and "strong" are very similar in meaning, so the two words are synonyms. "High" and "lofty" are also very similar in meaning, so "high is to lofty" is the correct answer.

Example Question #61 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Value is to worth as vacant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

investment

empty

loss

money

full

Correct answer:

empty

Explanation:

“Value” is a synonym of “worth;” both words have the same meaning, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best synonym for “vacant,” which means not in use, available, empty. The correct answer is therefore “empty.”

Example Question #171 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Cunning is to clever as sly is to __________.

Possible Answers:

accidental

sneaky

bored

loud

tiny

Correct answer:

sneaky

Explanation:

"Sly" means the same as thing as "sneaky," just as "cunning" means the same as "clever," so "sneaky" is the correct answer.

Example Question #172 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Crusade is to campaign as infinite is to __________.

Possible Answers:

resurrected

finite 

life 

forever

quality 

Correct answer:

forever

Explanation:

A “crusade” is a major effort to change something or one of several medieval religious wars where Europeans tried to retake the Holy Land from Muslims. A “campaign” is similar to a "crusade" in that it is a connected series of operations designed to bring about a particular result that often relates to war. “Infinite” means lasting forever; it is the opposite of “finite,” which means lasting for a certain period of time. So, since you need to look for a word that means the same as “infinite,” the correct answer is “forever.” To help you, “resurrected” means brought back to life after being dead.  

Example Question #173 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Difficult is to challenging as __________.

Possible Answers:

seagull is to beach

hamburger is to bun

flour is to cake

chicken is to rooster

gullible is to naive

Correct answer:

gullible is to naive

Explanation:

"Difficult" and "challenging" are synonyms because they have very similar meanings. So, to solve the analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that consists of two words that mean the same thing. "Gullible" and "naive" both mean easy to fool, so "gullible is to naive" is the correct answer.

Example Question #174 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Vex is to anger as __________.

Possible Answers:

bird is to nest

stalemate is to chess

dally is to hurry

cheery is to gleeful

chest is to key

Correct answer:

cheery is to gleeful

Explanation:

"Vex" means make angry, just as "anger" can be used to mean make angry. So, the two words are synonyms because they mean the same thing, and to solve the analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of a pair of synonyms. "Cheery" and "gleeful" both mean happy, so "cheery is to gleeful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #175 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Brave is to bold as pariah is to __________.

Possible Answers:

curry

carefree

careful

outcast

carry

Correct answer:

outcast

Explanation:

You likely know that “brave” and “bold” mean roughly the same thing. A “pariah” is a person who is rejected by other people. A “pariah” is generally someone who is cast out by society or an “outcast.” To further help you, to “curry” means to seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.

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