SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Tangible Things

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

A synonym of "stone" is . . .

Possible Answers:

dirt

mountain

pebble

brick

sand

Correct answer:

pebble

Explanation:

Since "stone" is a noun that means "small rock," we need to find another noun that also means "small rock." While "mountain" may seem like a good answer because mountains are made of stone, "mountain" doesn't mean the same thing as "stone," so it can't be the correct answer. Since "pebble" is a noun that means "a small stone worn smooth by sand or water," "pebble" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

Which word is a synonym for the word permit?

Juan had to have a permit to enter the event. 

Possible Answers:

pass

ban

None of the other answer choices

protest

veto

Correct answer:

pass

Explanation:

The word pass can be substituted for the word permit to maintain meaning of the sentence.  

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word in the sentence? 

He ran to the market to pick up some items for dinner.

Possible Answers:

grocery store

clothing store

None of the above

gas station

apartment

Correct answer:

grocery store

Explanation:

Grocery store and market both can be interchanged to keep the same meaning for the sentence.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

A synonym of “saga” is __________.

Possible Answers:

conversation

gossip

explanation

tale

mention

Correct answer:

tale

Explanation:

“Saga” is a noun that means “a long story,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a long account.” That means that “gossip” cannot be the correct answer, because “gossip” means “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true,” which is quite different in meaning from “saga.” “Story,” however, is a noun that can mean “an account of imaginary or real people and events,” and because “story” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “saga,” “story” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

A synonym of “castle” is __________.

Possible Answers:

fortress

drawbridge

tower

knight

moat

Correct answer:

fortress

Explanation:

“Castle” is a noun that means “a large building or group of buildings fortified against attack with thick walls,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a large building fortified against attack.” That means that neither “moat,” nor “drawbridge” or “tower” can be the correct answer, because while each of these words refers to a part of a castle, none is a synonym of “castle.” “Fortress,” however, is a noun that can mean “a military stronghold, esp. a strongly fortified town fit for a large garrison” or “a heavily protected and impenetrable building,” and because “fortress” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “castle,” “fortress” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

A synonym of “melody” is __________.

Possible Answers:

poem

song

book

orchestra

rhyme

Correct answer:

song

Explanation:

“Melody” is a noun that means “a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a sequence of single notes.” That means that “orchestra” cannot be the correct answer, because while an orchestra might play a melody, “orchestra” does not mean “melody.” “Song,” however, is a noun that means “words set to music,” and because “song” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “melody,” “song” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

Which word could have a similar meaning to the underlined word?

I had a crack in my glasses after I dropped them.

Possible Answers:

None of the above

sight

light

bend

break

Correct answer:

break

Explanation:

"Break" could replace "crack" to maintain a similar meaning.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Outfit

Possible Answers:

Prison

Clothes

Disease

Vegetable

Cabin

Correct answer:

Clothes

Explanation:

An "outfit" is a set of clothes; a prison is a place to hold criminals; disease is an illness; a cabin is a type of home; and vegetable is a type of food.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Stream

Possible Answers:

Dessert

Ocean

Soda

River

Desert

Correct answer:

River

Explanation:

A "stream" is a narrow river; an ocean is a large body of water; a desert is a place that is very dry and is covered in sand; soda is a type of carbonated beverage; and dessert is a type of sweet food commonly eaten after dinner.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things

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

Infection

Possible Answers:

Group

Argument

Ceremony

Victory

Disease

Correct answer:

Disease

Explanation:

An "infection" is a disease; a victory is when you win; a ceremony is a special occassion; an argument is a disagreement; and a group is a number of people together.

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