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 #2253 : Synonyms

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

ELUCIDATE

Possible Answers:

Lucid

Read

Intelligent

Clarify

Learn

Correct answer:

Clarify

Explanation:

The word "elucidate" means to clarify or to explain. The best answer choice is "clarify," which means to make clear or to explain. The word "lucid", though related to the verb "elucidate", is not itself a verb. It is an adjective which means clear or easily understood.

Example Question #2254 : Synonyms

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

SIMILITUDE

Possible Answers:

Ardor

Pleasantry

Resemblance

Bastion

Felicity

Correct answer:

Resemblance

Explanation:

"Similitude" is a noun derived from the Latin root "similis", meaning similar. "Resemblance" is a noun meaning the state of being alike, so it is a synonym for "similitude."

Example Question #2255 : Synonyms

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

FIDELITY

Possible Answers:

Ennui

Inadequacy

Ministry

Tint

Loyalty

Correct answer:

Loyalty

Explanation:

"Fidelity" is a noun derived from the Latin root fidelis meaning faithfulness. "Loyalty" is a noun meaning a strong feeling of allegiance or faithfulness, and is an appropriate synonym.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Greek

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

UNORTHODOX

Possible Answers:

Strange

Putrid

Ordinary

Malevolent

Pedestrian

Correct answer:

Strange

Explanation:

"Unorthodox" means unusual or strange or not traditional, so "strange" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2256 : Synonyms

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

SAVANT

Possible Answers:

Epicure

Scholar

Mirage

Irony

Accumulation

Correct answer:

Scholar

Explanation:

A "savant" is a person of extensive learning, so the best choice is the word "scholar." "Savant" is derived from the French word "savoir," which means to know.

Example Question #2261 : Synonyms

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

AFOREMENTIONED

Possible Answers:

Aforethought

Afoot

Aforesaid

Afoul

Afore

Correct answer:

Aforesaid

Explanation:

These words all share an anglo-saxon root "afore-." The only two words with closely related meanings are "aforesaid" and "aforementioned," which refer to something that has previously come up in conversation. The other words are not synonymous with "aforementioned."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

QUAKE

Possible Answers:

Quiver

Transform

Verify

Repel

Freeze

Correct answer:

Quiver

Explanation:

“Quake” is a verb that means “shake or tremble,” especially when referring to the earth, or “shake or shudder with fear” when referring to a person. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “shake.” That means that “freeze” cannot be the correct answer, because “freeze” can mean “to become paralyzed with fear or shock,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “quake.” “Quiver,” however, is a verb that means “to tremble or shake,” and because “quiver” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “quake,” “quiver” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

GLACIAL 

Possible Answers:

Slow

Melting

Natural 

Beautiful 

Deliberate

Correct answer:

Slow

Explanation:

"Glacial" can have two meanings: very cold or moving very slowly. ("Glacial" comes from the word "glacier," which is a huge mass of ice that moves extremely slowly.) Given that none of the answer choices are similar to the word "cold," the best synonym is one that means slow.Thus, the best answer choice is "slow." 

Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

PITCH

Possible Answers:

Propel

Explode

Propose

Collect

Fabricate

Correct answer:

Propose

Explanation:

To pitch an idea or plan means to propose it.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

INCARNATION

Possible Answers:

Vessel

Meal

Lifetime

Demonstration

Choice

Correct answer:

Lifetime

Explanation:

An incarnation is the embodiment of a god, or an individual's lifetime.

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