SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1781 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COGITATE

Possible Answers:

Ponder

Stalk

Fake

Duplicate

Influence

Correct answer:

Ponder

Explanation:

"Cogitate" means think about or ponder, so "ponder" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "cogitate":  “stalk” means pursue stealthily;“fake” means to pretend that something is true; to “duplicate” something means to copy it; and to “influence” someone or something means to sway that person or it.

Example Question #1782 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GOAD

Possible Answers:

Garrison 

Imply 

Recount 

Understand 

Provoke 

Correct answer:

Provoke 

Explanation:

To “goad” somebody means to provoke themor to incite a reaction in them, so "provoke" is the correct answer. For clarification, "imply" means to suggest something without directly expressing it, and "garrison" means station military troops somewhere.

Example Question #1783 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OPINE

Possible Answers:

Contest

Know

Inter

Mingle

Contend

Correct answer:

Contend

Explanation:

“Opine” is a verb that means declare to be one’s opinion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like say as one’s opinion. That means that “know” cannot be the correct answer, because “know” can mean be absolutely certain or sure about something, and so deals with (perceived) facts instead of opinions. “Contend,” however, is a verb that means assert, and because “contend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “opine,” “contend” is the correct answer.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PARDON

Possible Answers:

choose

forgive

stumble

condemn

complain

Correct answer:

forgive

Explanation:

"Pardon" means to forgive or excuse.

Example Question #68 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SUMMON

Possible Answers:

send

buy

change

call

puncture

Correct answer:

call

Explanation:

"Summon" means to urgently call someone.

Example Question #69 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PROSCRIBE

Possible Answers:

Condemn

Recommend

Reverse

Mix

Leak

Correct answer:

Condemn

Explanation:

To "proscribe" is to condemn.

Example Question #1784 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REDACT

Possible Answers:

Pulse

Starve

Invigorate

Edit

Churn

Correct answer:

Edit

Explanation:

"Redact" means to censure or prepare a written work for being published, or "edit."

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

JEER

Possible Answers:

Portray

Fasten

Pass

Calm

Taunt

Correct answer:

Taunt

Explanation:

Jeer means to deride, heckle, or "taunt" someone.

Example Question #1831 : Synonyms

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

COERCE

Possible Answers:

Befriend

Call

Bend

Overcome

Pressure

Correct answer:

Pressure

Explanation:

"Coerce" means to pressure someone into doing something, so "pressure" (considered as a verb) is the correct answer.

Example Question #1832 : Synonyms

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

WINCE

Possible Answers:

Operate

Flinch

Relax

Bolster

Crank

Correct answer:

Flinch

Explanation:

“Wince” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the potential answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “wince” as a verb. When used as a verb, “wince” means grimace or shrink away from. Therefore, “relax” cannot be the correct answer, because “relax” is an antonym, not a synonym, of “wince.” “Flinch,” however, is a verb that means jerk one's body back in surprise or fear, and because “flinch” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “wince,” “flinch” is the correct answer.

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