Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech

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SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech

1 - 10
1

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

UTTER

Say

CORRECT

Herald

0

Perform

0

Complain

0

Miss

0

Explanation

"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.

2

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

CURB

Restrain

CORRECT

Harmonize

0

Mollify

0

Ostracize

0

Sort

0

Explanation

To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.

3

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

BRANCH

Division

CORRECT

Currency

0

Coinage

0

Banknotes

0

Bills

0

Explanation

The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.

4

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

BRIEF

Inform

CORRECT

Fabricate

0

Cover

0

Sculpt

0

Shorten

0

Explanation

To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.

5

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

ENGINEER

Contrive

CORRECT

Partake

0

Record

0

Travel

0

Proselytise

0

Explanation

To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.

6

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

VAULT

Hurdle

CORRECT

Tumble

0

Run

0

Forget

0

Motion

0

Explanation

“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.

7

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

BREACH

Infringe

CORRECT

Obey

0

Skirt

0

Mix

0

Excuse

0

Explanation

“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.

8

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

UNFETTERED

Liberated

CORRECT

Trivial

0

Customary

0

Intuitive

0

Nominal

0

Explanation

The adjective and verb "unfettered" means freed of, not restrained by, released from inhibition or confinement. This is closest in meaning to "liberated" which means set free, free. Additionally, "trivial" and "nominal" are synonyms, both words mean insignificant, not important; "customary" means traditional, according to common custom, conventional and polite; "intuitive" means easily able to be understood using one's natural intellect.

9

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

EFFECT

Impact

CORRECT

Explosion

0

Flash

0

Spectacle

0

Fireworks

0

Explanation

The words "effect" and "impact" are synonyms referring to the result of another event or action. The other words might seem related to the word "affect," which is frequently confused with "effect." Unfortunately, the meanings of the other answer choices are not related to the word "effect."

10

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

MINUTE

Tiny

CORRECT

Worldly

0

Punctual

0

Quiet

0

Pious

0

Explanation

One definition of minute is very small.