SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #273 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Passionate is zealous as dispassionate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

whimsical 

impartial 

quirky 

biased 

subjective 

Correct answer:

impartial 

Explanation:

"Zealous" and "passionate" are synonyms that each mean fervent, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym for "dispassionate." "Dispassionate" does not quite mean not passionate; its definition is closer to impartial or unbiased. So, the correct answer is "impartial." For clarification, "subjective" means biased, "whimsical" means quirky and silly, and "quirky" means unusual or strange.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Exponent is to advocate as jaded is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

fatigued 

eternal 

inauspicious

auspicious

momentary

Correct answer:

fatigued 

Explanation:

"Exponent" can mean a supporter of something, as can the word "advocate." So, the two words are synonyms, and to solve this analogy, you need to find the best available synonym of "jaded." "Jaded" means tired or fatigued, so "fatigued" is the correct answer. For clarification, "eternal" means lasting forever, "momentary" means brief or lasting only a moment, "auspicious" means promising or lucky, and "inauspicious" means discouraging.

Example Question #275 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Lifelike is to realistic as phony is to __________.

Possible Answers:

genuine 

bewildering 

fake 

confusing 

obsolete 

Correct answer:

fake 

Explanation:

"Lifelike" is a synonym of "realistic"; both words describe something that looks real. To solve this analogy, you have to determine the best synonym of "phony." Something that is "phony" is fake, so "fake" is the correct answer. For clarification, "genuine" means real or authentic, "obsolete" means outdated, and "bewildering" and "confusing" are synonyms that each mean perlexing.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Diverse is to various as mundane is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unique 

knowledgeable

worldly 

interesting 

banal 

Correct answer:

banal 

Explanation:

"Diverse" and "various" are synonyms that each mean assorted, mixed, or different. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "mundane." "Mundane" means boring, routinebanal or having to do with earthly rather than spiritual things, so "banal," an adjective that mean dull, is the correct answer. For clarification, "worldly" is a synonym of "knowledgeable," but can also mean having to do with the physical things rather than spiritual things, and "unique" means one-of-a-kind.

Example Question #277 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

 

Bright is to lustrous as dim is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

night

dawn

lantern

murky 

moon 

Correct answer:

murky 

Explanation:

"Lustrous" is an adjective used to describe something that is shining brightly. So, "bright" and "lustrous" are synonyms, and to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of the answer choices is a synonym of "dim." The correct answer is “murky," an adjective that means dreary and poorly lit.

Example Question #278 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Deny is to refuse as acknowledge is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Recognize 

Create 

Relax 

Suggest 

Highlight 

Correct answer:

Recognize 

Explanation:

"Deny" is a synonym of "refuse"; both words mean reject. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "acknowledge." To "acknowledge" means to recognize, so "recognize" is the correct answer. For clarification, "suggest" means recommend or advise, "relax" means become calmmoderate, or temper, "create" means make, and "highlight" means emphasize.

Example Question #73 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Excuse is to acquit as fixed is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

Machine 

Broken 

Service 

Invent

Irrevocable 

Correct answer:

Irrevocable 

Explanation:

"Excuse" and "acquit" are synonyms that each mean to free someone of guilt or to let something go. To solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "fixed." In this instance, the word "fixed" is not being used in the sense of not broken or repaired; instead, it is being used to mean permanent or unchanging. This is an important secondary meaning of the word and is most similar in definition to the word “irrevocable," which means unable to be taken back or canceled.

Example Question #280 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Throw is to pitch as receive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

drop 

toss 

supplant 

give 

catch 

Correct answer:

catch 

Explanation:

"Throw" is a synonym of "pitch," so to complete this analogy, you have to determine which of the answer choices is the best synonym of "receive." The correct answer is “catch.” For clarification, "supplant" means to replace.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Dodge is to avoid as whet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

stimulate 

mourn 

rebuke 

fey 

insignificant

Correct answer:

stimulate 

Explanation:

"Dodge" is a synonym of "avoid," so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "whet." "Whet" means sharpen or kindle, so the correct answer is “stimulate." For clarification, "mourn" means to express sadness at the loss of someone or something, "rebuke" means to scold or tell-off, and "fey" means supernatural.

Example Question #75 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Escape is to run away as demote is to __________.

Possible Answers:

corroborate

enrage

promote 

justify

relegate

Correct answer:

relegate

Explanation:

"Escape" is a synonym of "run away," so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "demotion." "Demote" means the opposite of "promote" and is most similar to “relegate," which means downgrade. For clarification, "enrage" means to make angry, "justify" means give grounds for or vindicate, and "corroborate" means verify or confirm.

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