SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

Manuel worried that he hadn't studied enough because the test was very RIGOROUS.

Possible Answers:

Demanding

Obnoxious

Long

Easy

Correct answer:

Demanding

Explanation:

Rigorous means demanding or challenging. This can be determined from the context of the sentence. Manuel is worried about the test. That should eliminate easy as answer. A test can't really be "obnoxious," which means badly behaved or overly loud. That leaves "long" and "demanding." "Long" can be eliminated because a long, but easy, test probably wouldn't make Manuel nervous that he hadn't studied enough.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

LETHAL

Possible Answers:

Fortunately

Carelessly

Gently

Deadly

Luckily

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

"Lethal" means deadly, can cause death. To provide further help, "fortunately" and "luckily" both mean the same thing, they are synonyms of one another. On the other hand "gently" which means done carefully and calmly, is the opposite of "carelessly" which means done without care. "Gently" and "carelessly" are antonyms of one another.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

CARNIVOROUS

Possible Answers:

Flesh-eating

Elegant

Herbivorous

Fancy

Vegetarian

Correct answer:

Flesh-eating

Explanation:

The words "carnivorous" and "flesh-eating" are synonymous. These words refer to something that eats meat or flesh. The words "herbivorous" and "vegetarian refer to something that eats plants instead of eating meat. The words "fancy" and "elegant" are synonymous with each other; they refer to something that is decorated or refined.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RIDICULOUS

Possible Answers:

Dynamic

Creative

Silly

Descriptive

Incomparable

Correct answer:

Silly

Explanation:

The word most similar in meaning to RIDICULOUS is "silly." "Ridiculous" means inviting mockery. If you wore a ballet outfit with swimming goggles to school, you might look ridiculous. You would also look "silly!"

To determine the meaning of "incomparable," use the base word "comparable." This is similar to the word "compare." "Comparable" means things are roughly equal. Now add the prefix "in" which means not. "Incomparable" means not equal or outstanding. For example: "For the concert tonight, I am announcing the incomparable Taylor Swift."

"Creative" means to be imaginative.

If you are "descriptive," you "describe."

"Dynamic" means constantly changing.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

A synonym of "absurd" is __________.

Possible Answers:

quiet

ridiculous

honored

serious

fragile

Correct answer:

ridiculous

Explanation:

Since "absurd" is an adjective that means "silly," we need to pick out another adjective that means "silly." While "serious" may look like the correct answer, it actually means the opposite of "silly." However, "ridiculous" is an adjective that means "extremely silly or unreasonable," so "ridiculous" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

A synonym of “fundamental” is __________.

Possible Answers:

sensational

weird

crucial

scary

trivial

Correct answer:

crucial

Explanation:

“Fundamental” is an adjective that means “forming a necessary base or core; of central importance,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “important.” That means that “trivial” cannot be the correct answer, because “trivial,” is an adjective that means “of little value or importance,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “fundamental.” “Crucial,” however, is an adjective that means either “decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something” or “of great importance,” and because “crucial” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “fundamental,” “crucial” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

Synonyms: Which word could have similar meaning to the one that is underlined in the sentence?

Laura held many latent talents.

Possible Answers:

gifts

impressive

useful

hobbies

hidden

Correct answer:

hidden

Explanation:

"Latent" means dormant or hidden.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

Which word has a similar meaning to the underlined word?

There is a fake Christmas tree in our house.

Possible Answers:

artificial

large

None of the other answers

real

new

Correct answer:

artificial

Explanation:

"Artificial" and "fake" both have a similar meaning.

Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Unbelievable

Possible Answers:

A lot

Unfair

Common

Cheap

Incredible

Correct answer:

Incredible

Explanation:

"Unbelievable" means incredible.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ESSENTIAL

Possible Answers:

Jealous

Necessary

Weak

Optional

Excited

Correct answer:

Necessary

Explanation:

"Essential" is an adjective that means necessary, so "necessary" is the correct answer.

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