SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Peasant

Possible Answers:

Sculpture

Church

Bird

Royalty

Worker

Correct answer:

Worker

Explanation:

"Peasant" means worker; Royalty usually refers to the King, his family, and his court; Bird is a type of animal; Church is a place of worship; and Sculpture is art usually carved out of a solid material.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms

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

ACE

Possible Answers:

Beginner

Trainer

Apprentice

Expert

Student

Correct answer:

Expert

Explanation:

"Ace" is a word that can be used as a noun, verb, or informal adjective, but because all of the potential answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "ace" as a noun. When used as a noun, "ace" means expert or master, so "expert" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BRAGGART

Possible Answers:

Chef

Senator

Vendor

Examination

Boaster

Correct answer:

Boaster

Explanation:

"Braggart" means a person who boasts about his achievements or possessions, so "boaster," which means a person who boasts, is the correct answer. "Vendor" means a person who sells products. "Senator" means a politician usually elected in a representative government. "Chef" means a person who cooks and runs a kitchen. "Examination" means test or inspection.

Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FIREBRAND

Possible Answers:

Continent

Explorer

Voyage

Professor

Radical

Correct answer:

Radical

Explanation:

A "firebrand" is a person who incites a revolution or some great change, so "radical," which can mean revolutionary, is the correct answer. A "professor" is a person who teaches students at a college or university. An "explorer" is a person who travels and discovers new lands. A "voyage" is a long trip, usually made by ship. A "continent" is a very large body of land.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms

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

ANTAGONIST

Possible Answers:

Director 

Adversary 

Hero 

Actress 

Producer 

Correct answer:

Adversary 

Explanation:

"Antagonist" is an antonym of "protagonist." Whereas a "protagonist" is a hero, an "antagonist" is a villain. The answer choice that is closest in meaning to "villain" is “adversary," which means enemy or opponent.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SURROGATE

Possible Answers:

Adversary

Foe

Antagonist 

Substitute 

Protagonist 

Correct answer:

Substitute 

Explanation:

"Surrogate" means replacement or substitute, so "substitute" is the correct answer. For clarification, "protagonist" means hero in a story and is the antonym of "antagonist," which means villain in a story, while "adversary" means opponent and "foe" means enemy.

Example Question #5 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BIGOT

Possible Answers:

Realistic

Partisan

Dainty

Obese

Mythical

Correct answer:

Partisan

Explanation:

A “bigot” is a person who hates, or refuses to accept, the members of a particular group. If you are “partisan,” similar to a “bigot,” you are one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance. To help you, do not confuse the word with “big” or “bigfoot.”  "Obese" means very fat; "dainty" means delicate; "mythical" means sourced from myth and legend, probably not true.

Example Question #6 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANTAGONIST

Possible Answers:

Comrade

Follower

Supervisor

Opponent

Ally 

Correct answer:

Opponent

Explanation:

"Antagonist" is defined as an adversary, rival, or foe. Of the answer choices, "opponent" has the closest meaning.

Example Question #7 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BARD

Possible Answers:

Sharp

Witty

Craftsman

Mayor

Poet

Correct answer:

Poet

Explanation:

A "bard" is a poet.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

Professional

Possible Answers:

Beginner

Expert

Leader

Novice

Counselor

Correct answer:

Expert

Explanation:

A "professional" is an expert in something.

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