All SSAT Elementary Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SPENT
Tired
Enthused
Touched
Energetic
Assisted
Tired
"Spent" can be used as a past tense verb that means gave someone money. However when used as an adjective, it means tired or exhausted. To help you, "enthused" means excited about something, "assisted" means helped, and "touched" means either felt or affected emotionally.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TOPPLE
Straighten
Overthrow
Bluff
Whirl
Increase
Overthrow
"Topple" means to fall or to cause to fall and can be used in a literal, physical sense, like "The tree the lumberjack had been chopping at for an hour finally toppled over," or it can be used in a metaphorical sense, like "The prejudiced government was toppled and a new, more egalitarian one was established in its place." So, "overthrow," which means unseat from a role of power through the use of force, is the correct answer, as it is close in meaning to the second described meaning of "topple."
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRISK
Cheap
Hurried
Common
Risky
Slurred
Hurried
"Brisk" can mean rapid, fast, or "hurried," as in walking at a brisk pace, or it may pertain to the weather, describing weather that has a bracing, invigorating chill and is often windy. "Hurried" is the best synonym for "brisk" amongst the given answer choices. Although "risky" sounds similar to "brisk," the two words do not have similar meanings. The meanings of "cheap," "common," and "slurred" are also distant from that of "brisk."
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLOT
Dream
Chapter
Scheme
Idea
Obstacle
Scheme
A "plot" is or a secret scheme or the sequence of events in a book, movie, or play, so "scheme" is the correct answer. Neither a "dream" nor an "idea" is a plan (or plot!) unless you put it into action. While "chapter" may make you think of the plot of a book, a "chapter" is one of several or many distinct sections of a book, so it does not mean the sequence of events in a book and cannot be the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MASTER
Mistake
Disclose
Apply
Learn
Mature
Learn
When used as a noun, "master" means an expert at something, but none of the answer choices are close in meaning to expert, so the word "master" must be being used in another way. When used as a verb, "master" means to become skilled at a certain activity, so "learn," which means gain knowledge about something or how to do something, is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "master": "mature" means grow and develop; "mistake" means accidentally misidentify someone or something as someone or something else; "disclose" means reveal information; and "apply" means request or be relevant to.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STUDY
Find
Recover
Abandon
Change
Examine
Examine
To "study" something means either to learn about it in an academic setting, or to inspect or examine it in order to learn about it. "Examine" is thus the correct answer. While you can "find" or "recover" something and then "study" it, the meanings of these words are different. Oftentimes when you study something, you don't want to "change" it. The best answer choice is "examine."
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LEGEND
Key
System
Opposite
Belief
Key
A "legend" can be a story that describes extraordinary achievements with unknown origins, like a myth or a fable. A "legend" can also be a key, or guide. For example: every map has a legend that explains what each of the symbols means.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VENT
Spark
Express
Venerate
Burn
Ignite
Express
The words "vent" and "express" are synonyms. To "vent" your emotions means to "express" them in a way that brings you some relief. The other words do not have similar meanings. "Venerate" might seem similar, but it actually means to "praise" someone.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LOW
Sophisticated
Elevated
Unsophisticated
High
Elegant
Unsophisticated
The word "low" can be used to describe someone or something "unsophisticated": "Belching at the dinner table is quite low behavior." All of the other answer choices are antonyms of the word "low." Note that "unsophisticated" stands out not only because it is the opposite of "sophisticated," but because it is also the only word with a slightly negative sense.
Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PARTY
Group
Wake
Funeral
Burial
Death
Group
The word "party" can mean "celebration" or, in this case, it can refer to a "group" of people: "Your party is ready to be seated." Note that all of the other answer choices are closely related, referring to ceremonies held when a person dies. "Death" is perhaps the most obvious word to cross out in your process of elimination.
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All SSAT Elementary Level Verbal Resources
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