All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REPROACH
Whirl
Identify
Fault
Congratulate
Bend
Fault
“Reproach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “reproach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “reproach” means “to express disapproval or disappointment,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “express disapproval or disappointment.” That means that “congratulate” cannot be the correct answer, because “congratulate” means “to praise for a particular achievement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reproach.” “Fault,” however, when used as a verb, means “criticize for inadequacy or mistakes,” and because “fault” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reproach,” “fault” is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VAULT
Motion
Run
Forget
Hurdle
Tumble
Hurdle
“Vault” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “vault” as a verb. When used as a verb, “vault” means “leap or spring,” or, when used with an object, “jump over an obstacle.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “leap over something.” That means that “tumble” cannot be the correct answer, because “tumble,” when used as a verb, typically refers to a person and means “fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong,” a meaning very distant from that of “vault.” “Hurdle,” however, when used as a verb, means “jump over (a hurdle or other obstacle) while running,” when used with an object, and because “hurdle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vault,” “hurdle” is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BREACH
Mix
Infringe
Obey
Skirt
Excuse
Infringe
“Breach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “breach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “breach” can mean “make a gap in something and break through” or “break or fail to observe something contracted or necessary.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “break through” or “fail to observe.” That means that “obey” cannot be the correct answer, because “obey” can mean “ behave in accordance with authority,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “breach.” “Infringe,” however, is a verb that can mean “actively break the terms of a contract or law,” and because “infringe” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “breach,” “infringe” is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTTER
Herald
Say
Complain
Miss
Perform
Say
"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRIEF
Shorten
Sculpt
Cover
Inform
Fabricate
Inform
To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGINEER
Contrive
Proselytise
Record
Travel
Partake
Contrive
To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINUTE
Quiet
Worldly
Tiny
Pious
Punctual
Tiny
One definition of minute is very small.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURB
Harmonize
Mollify
Ostracize
Restrain
Sort
Restrain
To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRANCH
Coinage
Bills
Banknotes
Currency
Division
Division
The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WILL
Of
Determination
Might
Can
Future
Determination
"Will" and "determination" are synonyms. In this case, we must distinguish between the word "will" as it would be used in a verb construction and think of the word as a representation of one's willpower or drive.