SSAT Practice Test (Middle Level: Verbal) 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: OBEDIENT mean:

improper
inhumane
amenable (Correct answer)
excessive

Correct answer: amenable

The word 'obedient' means willing to comply with orders or requests. Among the choices, 'amenable' means open and responsive to suggestion, or easily persuaded or controlled. This aligns closely with the definition of obedient, as an amenable person is likely to be obedient.

Question 2: Finish the analogy. Greyhound is to racing as retriever is to __________.

guarding
fetching (Correct answer)
resting
talking

Correct answer: fetching

This analogy relates a specific breed of dog to its primary characteristic or purpose. Greyhounds are renowned for their speed and are associated with racing. Similarly, Retrievers are a breed of dog specifically bred and known for their ability to 'retrieve' or 'fetch' objects, often in hunting. Therefore, 'fetching' is the most appropriate completion for the analogy.

Question 3: OUTFOX mean:

Overlook
Outdo
Underestimate
Outwit (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Outwit

To 'outfox' someone means to defeat or trick them by being more clever or cunning. The word 'outwit' carries the same meaning, implying the use of superior ingenuity or cleverness to overcome an opponent. Therefore, 'outwit' is the closest synonym for 'outfox'.

Question 4: OPTIMAL mean:

Usable
Optional
Ideal (Correct answer)
Worst

Correct answer: Ideal

The word 'optimal' means the best or most favorable condition or outcome. 'Ideal' means satisfying one's conception of what is perfect or most suitable. Both words convey the sense of being the best possible choice or state, making 'ideal' the closest synonym.

Question 5: COWARDICE mean:

scoundrel
hatred
fearfulness (Correct answer)
cleverness

Correct answer: fearfulness

Cowardice refers to a lack of bravery or courage. This state is fundamentally driven by 'fearfulness', which is the feeling or showing of fear or apprehension. Therefore, 'fearfulness' is the core characteristic and closest meaning to cowardice.

Question 6: DEBRIS mean:

thievery
plantation
scribe
rubble (Correct answer)

Correct answer: rubble

The word 'debris' refers to scattered pieces of waste or remains, especially after destruction. 'Rubble' specifically describes waste or rough fragments of stone, brick, or concrete, often resulting from the demolition of buildings. Thus, 'rubble' is a direct and precise synonym for 'debris'.

Question 7: ANTAGONIST closest meaning:

Follower
Supervisor
Opponent (Correct answer)
Comrade

Correct answer: Opponent

An 'antagonist' is a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary. An 'opponent' is someone who competes with or opposes another in a contest, game, or argument. Both terms describe a person who stands against another, making 'opponent' the closest meaning.

Question 8: ADJACENT mean:

Whimsical
Abounding
Noncontiguous
Abutting (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Abutting

The word 'adjacent' means next to or adjoining something else. 'Abutting' means to be next to or to have a common boundary with, often used in the context of land or buildings. This makes 'abutting' a direct synonym for 'adjacent'.

Question 9: DISCRIMINATE mean:

Differentiate (Correct answer)
Excuse
Reject
Spite

Correct answer: Differentiate

The word 'discriminate' can mean to make an unjust distinction, but it also means to recognize a distinction or difference. In the context of the given options, 'differentiate' is the closest synonym, meaning to recognize or ascertain what makes someone or something different. This highlights the ability to perceive distinctions.

Question 10: CONTAMINATE mean:

decongest
taint (Correct answer)
deodorize
defoliate

Correct answer: taint

To 'contaminate' means to make something impure or unsuitable by polluting or poisoning it. The word 'taint' means to contaminate or pollute something, often implying a moral or quality degradation. Therefore, 'taint' is a direct synonym for 'contaminate'.

Question 11: PRAISE mean:

laud (Correct answer)
satisfaction
plenty
pledge

Correct answer: laud

To 'praise' means to express warm approval or admiration of someone or something. 'Laud' means to praise a person or their achievements highly, especially in a public context. Both words convey the act of expressing high commendation, making 'laud' the closest synonym.

Question 12: INNOVATIVE mean:

Worn
New (Correct answer)
Incomplete
Mobile

Correct answer: New

The word 'innovative' describes something that features new methods, is advanced, and original. Its core meaning revolves around novelty and originality. Therefore, 'new' is the most fundamental and direct synonym, as innovation inherently involves introducing something not seen before.

Question 13: SUCCOR mean:

Fowl
Obstruction
Assistance (Correct answer)
Qualm

Correct answer: Assistance

The word 'succor' refers to assistance and support in times of hardship and distress. 'Assistance' means the action of helping someone with a task or problem. Both terms denote providing help or aid, making 'assistance' the closest synonym for 'succor'.

Question 14: SPUN mean:

Sardonic
Revolved (Correct answer)
Narrative
Handcrafted

Correct answer: Revolved

'Spun' is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'spin', which means to turn or cause to turn rapidly around an axis. 'Revolved' is the past tense of 'revolve', meaning to move in a circle on a central axis. Both words describe the action of rotating or turning, making 'revolved' the closest synonym for 'spun'.

Question 15: WOEFUL mean:

animated
reasonable
wretched (Correct answer)
dim

Correct answer: wretched

The word 'woeful' means characterized by, expressive of, or causing woe or sadness; it implies a state of misery or extreme unhappiness. 'Wretched' similarly describes a person in a very unhappy or unfortunate state, or something of very poor quality. Both words convey a strong sense of misery or profound unhappiness, making 'wretched' the closest synonym.

Question 16: ENGRAVE mean:

petrify
scrutinize
tomb
inscribe (Correct answer)

Correct answer: inscribe

To 'engrave' means to cut or carve a text or design into the surface of a hard object. 'Inscribe' means to write or carve words or symbols on something, especially as a formal or permanent record. Both terms describe the act of permanently marking a surface by cutting or carving, making 'inscribe' the closest synonym.

Question 17: FEEBLE mean:

Capable
Weak (Correct answer)
Free
Firm

Correct answer: Weak

The word 'feeble' means lacking physical strength, especially due to age or illness. 'Weak' means lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks or having little physical strength or energy. Both words describe a state of diminished strength or vigor, making 'weak' the closest synonym for 'feeble'.

Question 18: PRIME mean:

Secondary
Unimportant
Last
Main (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Main

The word 'prime' can mean of first importance, main, or fundamental. 'Main' means chief in size or importance. In this context, both words refer to something that is primary, principal, or most significant. Therefore, 'main' is the closest synonym for 'prime'.

Question 19: MEEK mean:

Vibrant
Vigorous
Timid (Correct answer)
Powerful

Correct answer: Timid

Correct answer: Timid “Meek” means mild, cowed or shy, so the correct answer is “timid,” which means shy. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all synonyms that mean powerful, lively or energetic.

Question 20: PRACTICAL mean:

having great usefulness (Correct answer)
feeling great regret
difficult to learn
providing great support

Correct answer: having great usefulness

Correct answer: having great usefulness PRACTICAL means having great usefulness

Question 21: HOSPITABLE mean:

welcoming (Correct answer)
susceptible
disenchanted
inept

Correct answer: welcoming

Correct answer: welcoming HOSPITABLE means welcoming

Question 22: ALLEVIATE mean:

Allocate
Ease (Correct answer)
Solidify
Increase

Correct answer: Ease

Correct answer: Ease ”Alleviate" is a verb that means to make something bad less intense. Of the answer choices, "ease” has the closest meaning.

Question 23: DURABLE mean:

Fragile
Tall
Temporary
Sturdy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sturdy

Correct answer: Sturdy "Durable" is an adjective used to describe something that is difficult to break or damage. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is ”stable."

Question 24: Preserve mean:

to conserve (Correct answer)
to destroy
to create
to discover

Correct answer: to conserve

Correct answer: to conserve "Preserve" means to conserve.

Question 25: SCRUTINIZE mean:

announce publicly
examine carefully (Correct answer)
decide promptly
warn swiftly

Correct answer: examine carefully

Correct answer: examine carefully SCRUTINIZE means examine carefully

SSAT Practice Test (Middle Level: Verbal) 1

OBEDIENT mean: