SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

QUALM

Possible Answers:

Plea

Reproach

Implication

Misgiving

Eloquence

Correct answer:

Misgiving

Explanation:

"Qualm" is a noun that means "an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "doubt" or "worry." Since "misgiving" means "a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "qualm" and thus the correct answer.

Example Question #534 : Synonyms

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

ALACRITY

Possible Answers:

Criticism

Eagerness

Potential

Charm

Alarm

Correct answer:

Eagerness

Explanation:

While "alarm" might look like a potentially good answer choice because both "alacrity" and "alarm" begin with "ala-," or "criticism," because "alacrity" contains the infix "-crit-," which is also present in "criticism," "alacrity" actually means "brisk and cheerful readiness," so "eagerness" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.

Example Question #535 : Synonyms

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

WONT

Possible Answers:

Lewd

Habit

Desire

Will not

Fountain

Correct answer:

Habit

Explanation:

While "wont" looks like "won't," it has a different meaning from the contraction, so "will not" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "wanton" is a synonym of "lewd," "wont" and "wanton" have completely different meanings, and while a "font" is a term for a fountain, the only thing "font" and "wont" have in common with each other is that they can both be used as nouns and they rhyme. While "desire" is a synonym of "want," "want" and "wont" are different words with different meanings. "Wont" as a noun means "one's customary behavior in a particular situation," and as an adjective it refers to people and means "in the habit of doing something; accustomed." Since "habit" means "a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up," "habit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wont" and the correct answer.

Example Question #497 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

HUSBANDRY

Possible Answers:

Construction

Parenthood

Marriage

Child-rearing

Farm management

Correct answer:

Farm management

Explanation:

This is a tricky one. When you see the word husbandry, you probably recognize the word husband and assume that husbandry has something to do with marriage, parenthood, or child-rearing. Husbandry actually has to do with farm management, and perhaps in a more indirect way with management of the household. The only choice that really works for that definition is "Farm management."  

Example Question #498 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DEARTH

Possible Answers:

Scarcity

Diverse

Peaceful

Plentiful

Abundance

Correct answer:

Scarcity

Explanation:

"Dearth" means to lack, or scarcity. Abundance and Plentiful means to have a lot of, so they are antonyms of Dearth. Diverse means to be varied, and Peaceful means to be calm. These last two words have no relation to Dearth in this context.

Example Question #499 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

HARMONY

Possible Answers:

Model

Cacophony

Agreement

Infamy

Discord

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

"Harmony" is to have an agreement. Discord or Cacophony means to have a disagreement, and therefore they are antonyms of Harmony. Infamy means to be known for a bad reason, and Model means a good example. These last two words have no relation to Harmony in this context.

Example Question #500 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PHENOMENON

Possible Answers:

Whim

Occurrence

Aggravation

Variance 

Present

Correct answer:

Occurrence

Explanation:

A phenomenon is a fact or occurrence that is observable.  

Example Question #501 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

Passion

Recuperation 

Imposition

Innocence

Savagery 

Correct answer:

Passion

Explanation:

Zeal means enthusiasm or passion for something.  

Example Question #502 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

RUSE

Possible Answers:

Dehydration

Empathy

Trick

Authenticity

Institution

Correct answer:

Trick

Explanation:

A ruse is a trick, which is defined as an action intended to deceive someone.  

Example Question #503 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

SCHOLARSHIP

Possible Answers:

Ark

Learning

Refrain

Work

Catastrophe

Correct answer:

Learning

Explanation:

Scholarship means academic study, or learning.

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