SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #231 : Synonyms

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Convene 

Quit

Aspire

Appease

Pretend

Correct answer:

Appease

Explanation:

"Placate" most nearly means to appease or to calm through agreement. The words "pretend," "aspire," "quit," and "convene" have no relation to the word "placate." "Aspire" means to direct one's ambitions towards a goal (for example, "She aspires to be a doctor.") "Convene" most nearly means to bring together in a group.

Example Question #232 : Synonyms

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

CONDONE

Possible Answers:

Allow

Condemn

Supply 

Prohibit 

Forget 

Correct answer:

Allow

Explanation:

"Condone" is a verb that means to allow or forgive. A typical example would be an authority figure who "condones" a subordinate's behavior. "Supply" and "forget" have no relation to the word "condone," while "prohibit" and "condemn" are antonyms. Therefore, the correct answer is "allow." 

Example Question #233 : Synonyms

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

ARGUING

Possible Answers:

Whispering

Assisting

Communicating

Talking

Quarreling

Correct answer:

Quarreling

Explanation:

"Arguing" involves a disagreement between two or more people who hold different views on a topic. "Quarreling" is the best synonym of "arguing."

Incorrect Answers:

"Talking" means to speak.

"Whispering" means to speak quietly.

"Communicating" involves the sharing of information.

"Assisting" means to help someone else.

Example Question #234 : Synonyms

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

CONFESS

Possible Answers:

Ponder

Acknowledge

Yearn

Enable

Create

Correct answer:

Acknowledge

Explanation:

"Confess" means to accept fault for something. "Acknowledge," which means to admit guilt, is the best synonym of "confess."

Incorrect Answers:

"Yearn" indicates a desire to do something.

"Ponder" means to think about.

"Enable" involves giving someone the power to do something.

"Create" means bring something into existence.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The young boy was so hungry that he gorged himself on dinner.  

Possible Answers:

stuffed

missed

skipped

left

None of the above

Correct answer:

stuffed

Explanation:

To stuff yourself with food would be the same thing as to gorge yourself. Both meaning "over-eating." 

Example Question #236 : Synonyms

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The snake slithered effortlessly across the the grass.

Possible Answers:

stopped

None of the above

glided

ran

walked

Correct answer:

glided

Explanation:

Slithered and glided both refer to the snake's movement.  

Example Question #237 : Synonyms

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence?

The grasshopper leapt from my hands.  

Possible Answers:

None of the above

stayed

sat

sit

stuck

Correct answer:

None of the above

Explanation:

None of the above words describe that the grasshopper jumped or left the person's hands. 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

A synonym of “stretch” is __________.

Possible Answers:

shrink

speak

extend

magnify

consider

Correct answer:

extend

Explanation:

“Stretch” is a verb that refers to things that are soft or elastic and means “be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “be made longer.” That means that “shrink” cannot be the correct answer, because “shrink” means “to become or make smaller in size or amount,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “stretch.” “Extend,” however, is a verb that means “cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider,” and because “extend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “stretch,” “extend” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, And Location

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

The volcano's lava burst into the sky.

Possible Answers:

dripped

None of the above

crept

left

exploded

Correct answer:

exploded

Explanation:

The word "exploded" could replace "burst" to describe how the lava erupts from the top of a volcano. 

Example Question #240 : Synonyms

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

We had to merge two packs of sugar to create one cup.

Possible Answers:

replace

None of the above

move

combine

lose

Correct answer:

combine

Explanation:

"Merge" can replaced with "combine" to maintain a similar meaning.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors