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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Corpulent is to fat as diminutive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

possessive

small 

big 

cute 

monstrous 

Correct answer:

small 

Explanation:

Corpulent is a synonym for fat, so to solve this analogy you need to find the best possible synonym for diminutive. Since diminutive means tiny the best possible answer choice is small.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Enumerate is to list as bombastic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

jubilant 

verbose 

laconic 

lethargic 

intransigent

Correct answer:

verbose 

Explanation:

Enumerate is a verb which means to list options and therefore is a synonym of list. To solve this analogy you are therefore looking for the best available synonym for bombastic. Bombastic is a noun or adjective used to describe pompous or long-winded language. Verbose is the correct answer, because it means expressed using too many words. For clarification jubilant means very happy; lethargic means tired or physically drained; laconic means brief; intransigent means stubborn.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Polemical is to argumentative as serene is to __________.

Possible Answers:

remorseful

sad 

whimsical 

peaceful 

angry 

Correct answer:

peaceful 

Explanation:

Polemical is a synonym of argumentative so to solve this analogy you need to find the best available synonym for serene. Serene means quiet and peaceful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Convivial is to gregarious as amiable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

apathetic 

wonderment 

affable 

disrespectful

ridiculous

Correct answer:

affable 

Explanation:

Convivial and gregarious both mean friendly and sociable. You therefore need to identify which of the answer choices is the best available synonym for amiable. Amiable means pleasant and friendly so the correct answer is affable.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Loquacious is to garrulous as prattle is to __________.

Possible Answers:

loopy 

circumlocution

ramble 

expressive 

jumble 

Correct answer:

ramble 

Explanation:

Loquacious means talkative, which is a synonym for garrulous. In order to solve this analogy you have to identify which of these answer choices is the best available synonym for prattle. Prattle is an intransitive verb that refers to idle or childish speech that lacks direction. The correct matching definition is "ramble," which means to talk aimlessly. For clarification, circumlocution means indirect or verbose speech; jumble means mix-up; loopy means crazy or silly.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Benevolent is to compassionate as malevolent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

malicious 

considerate 

miserly 

morose

generous

Correct answer:

malicious 

Explanation:

Benevolent is a synonym for compassionate as both words refer to showing kindness or charity to others. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of the answer choices is the best synonym for malevolent. Malevolent means evil or exhibiting ill-will. The correct answer is therefore malicious. For clarification, miserly refers to someone who is not charitable; morose means somber.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Adroit is to skillful as pulchritudinous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

beautiful 

intelligent

disgusting 

mundane 

succinct 

Correct answer:

beautiful 

Explanation:

Adroit and skillful are synonyms that refer to someone who is highly skilled or talented. To solve this analogy, look for a synonym for the word, pulchritudinous. Pulchritudinous might sound as if it means gross or disgusting, but it actually means beautiful.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Obvious is to palpable as __________.

Possible Answers:

translucent is to pellucid

noxious is to salubrious

magnificent is to subpar

soda is to liquid

engorge is to vomit

Correct answer:

translucent is to pellucid

Explanation:

“Obvious” is an adjective that means “easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent,” while “palpable” can mean “clear to the mind or plain to see.” So, “obvious” and “palpable” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of two synonyms. While “translucent is to pellucid” and “noxious is to salubrious” might each look like potentially correct answers, “noxious” means “harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant,” while “salubrious” means “health-giving; healthy,” so the two words are antonyms, not synonyms, and “noxious is to salubrious” cannot be the correct answer. “Translucent,” however, is used to refer to a substance and means “allowing light, but not detailed images, to pass through; semitransparent,” while “pellucid” can mean “translucently clear.” So, because “translucent” is a synonym of “pellucid” just as “obvious” is a synonym of “palpable,” “translucent is to pellucid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #101 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy 

Industrious is to hard-working as slovenly is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Miserly 

Gregarious 

Affable 

Nonchalant 

Careless 

Correct answer:

Careless 

Explanation:

Industrious and hard-working are synonyms so you are looking for the answer choice that is the best synonym for slovenly. Slovenly means messy or careless so the best answer choice is “careless”. For clarification miserly means not generous; gregarious means outgoing; affable means friendly or likable; nonchalant means apathetic.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Parsimonious is to miserly as gregarious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unhinged 

sociable 

imposing 

implacable 

impressive 

Correct answer:

sociable 

Explanation:

"Parsimonious" and "miserly" are synonyms that both mean frugal and ungenerous with money. To solve this analogy you must identify the best available synonym for "gregarious," which means outgoing or sociable. For clarification, "unhinged" means imbalanced or disturbed; "implacable" means relentless or ruthless; "imposing" means impressive and striking.

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