Synonyms
SSAT Middle Level Verbal · Learn by Concept
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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOUR
Tart
Swarthy
Husky
Sweet
Quizzical
Explanation
"Sour" and "tart" both describe a mouth-puckering taste. "Swarthy" means dark-skinned, "husky" means strong and robust, and "quizzical" means puzzled. "Sweet" and "sour" are generally considered antonyms.
Complete this analogy.
Mundane is to humdrum as __________.
unfamiliar is to alien
frantic is to calm
wizened is to young
dormant is to volcano
basketball is to dribble
Explanation
“Mundane” is an adjective that means “lacking interest or excitement; dull” or “of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one,” while “humdrum” is a word that when used as an adjective means “lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous.” So, “mundane” and “humdrum” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of a pair of synonyms. While “wizened is to young” and “unfamiliar is to alien” might both look like potentially correct answers, “wizened” is an adjective that means “shriveled or wrinkled with age,” so it is an antonym, not a synonym, of “young,” and “wizened is to young” cannot be the correct answer. “Unfamiliar” is an adjective that means “not known or recognized,” and “alien” is a word that when used as an adjective can mean “unfamiliar and disturbing or distasteful.” So, because “unfamiliar” is a synonym of “alien” just as “mundane” is a synonym of “humdrum,” “unfamiliar is to alien” is the correct answer.
Analogies: Complete this analogy.
Undulating is to wavy as fatigued is to ___________.
tired
night
awake
starved
breakfast
Explanation
If something is “undulating,” it is wavy. If someone is “fatigued,” they are tired. To clarify, “starved” means very hungry.
Complete this analogy.
Bog is to __________ as perfume is to cologne.
swamp
rivulet
islet
estuary
peak
Explanation
"Perfume" and "cologne" are synonyms of one another, both words mean something sprayed onto one's body to make one smell nicer. Although colloquially "perfume" is used for women and "cologne" for men. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "bog." Well, a "bog" is wet, muddy ground that is difficult to traverse. This is very similar in meaning to "swamp." Additionally, a "rivulet" is a small river, a tributary or offshoot of a river; an "islet" is a small island; an "estuary" is the mouth of a river, where the river meets the ocean; "peak" means summit, the top of a mountain.
Complete this analogy.
Berserk is to wild as __________ is to wicked.
dastardly
charismatic
seldom
unrepentant
pristine
Explanation
"Berserk" means out of control, crazy, "wild." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "wicked" (evil, malicious). The correct answer is "dastardly," which has the same meaning. Additionally, "pristine" means immaculate, spotless, completely clean; "seldom" means rarely; "charismatic" means charming, having a personality that others find interesting and attractive; "unrepentant" means remorseless, not feeling sorry for something one has done wrong.
Vessel is to ship as __________.
report is to account
fascination is to ennui
jump is to run
wail is to laugh
carefree is to serious
Explanation
“Vessel” is a noun that can mean “a ship or large boat” or “a hollow container,” or chiefly in or alluding to biblical use, “a person having a particular quality.” So, “vessel” and “ship” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of a pair of synonyms. While “report is to account” and “fascination is to ennui” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “ennui” means “a feeling of dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “fascination.” So, “fascination is to ennui” cannot be the correct answer. “Report,” however, when used as a noun, can mean “an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.” So, because “report” and “account” are synonyms, just as “vessel” and “ship” are synonyms, “report is to account” is the correct answer.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LICENTIOUS
Immoral
Sanctioned
Legal
Curious
Grandiose
Explanation
"Licentious" means "immoral," debauched, or unrestrained by morality.
"Grandiose" means theatrical or extravagant, excessively grand.
"Curious" means d_esiring knowledge, being inquisitive, or it can be used to describe something that is weird or strange._
"Legal" means permitted by even a strict interpretation of the law.
"Sanctioned" means officially approved, allowed, or permitted.
Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONSTRICTIVE
restrictive
liberating
hazardous
mean-spirited
snake-like
Explanation
Constrictive means something is restrictive.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRAISEWORTHY
Commendable
Vile
Immense
Supreme
Trustworthy
Explanation
"Praiseworthy" and "commendable" are synonyms. "Vile" means foul or disgusting. "Immense" means huge or massive. "Supreme" means of the highest rank and is not quite a synonym for "praiseworthy," although something "supreme" may also be deserving of praise. "Trustworthy" means able to be trusted.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JUSTIFIED
Righteous
Indignant
Surprised
Holy
Illegal
Explanation
Someone who is "justified" in his/her behavior is righteous or morally correct. "Surprised" means shocked, showing surprised. "Indignant" means angry or annoyed at unfairness. "Holy" and "evil" are antonyms, as are "illegal" and "legal."