SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Needy

Cranky

Wicked

Spry

Poised

Correct answer:

Cranky

Explanation:

"Irascible" means "cranky" or prone to anger.

"Wicked" means cruel or evil; villainous.

"Needy" means impoverished, disadvantaged, or in need.

"Poised" means steady, composed or balanced in mannerism

"Spry" means agile or full of life; vivacious.

Example Question #291 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INDOLENT

Possible Answers:

Jubilant

Intrepid

Lazy

Serene

Industrious

Correct answer:

Lazy

Explanation:

"Indolent" means "lazy' or idle, lackadaisical.

"Serene" means calm and clear-headed.

"Intrepid" means brave or courageous.

"Jubilant" means full of joy, happy.

"Industrious" means hard-working, diligent, productive.

Example Question #292 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

JADED

Possible Answers:

Thrifty

Indolent

Querulous

Indifferent

Offbeat

Correct answer:

Indifferent

Explanation:

"Jaded" means "indifferent," somebody who is bored because s/he has experienced a lot.

"Thrifty" means frugal, tight-fisted; describes someone who doesn't like to spend money.

"Querulous" means argumentative and hard to please. Describes someone who quarrels excessively.

"Offbeat" means strange, weird, or eccentric.

"Indolent" means lazy, easygoing or slothful.

Example Question #293 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ALTRUISTIC

Possible Answers:

Unselfish

Bigoted

Klutzy

Homely

Close-minded

Correct answer:

Unselfish

Explanation:

"Altruistic" means "unselfish," charitable, humanistic.

"Klutzy" means clumsy, awkward, or bumbling.

"Bigoted" means prejudiced or biased

"Homely" means ordinary or it means ugly.

"Close-minded" means blind, stubborn, rigid in opinion.

Example Question #294 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

WANTON

Possible Answers:

Boring

Bothersome

Disinterested

Dull

Playful

Correct answer:

Playful

Explanation:

"Wanton" and "playful" are synonyms referring to a carefree (as opposed to serious) disposition. The other words do not have this meaning. Although the word "wanton" is somewhat difficult, analyzing the other answer choices and recognizing that "playful" is not at all related to the words "bothersome," "disinterested," "boring," and "dull," which all have negative connotations, can help you arrive at the correct answer.

Example Question #295 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BLUNT

Possible Answers:

Feminine

Forward

Masculine

Fickle

Indirect

Correct answer:

Forward

Explanation:

The words "blunt" and "forward" can be used to describe someone who is very direct (almost rudely so) when he or she expresses him or herself. The other words do not share this meaning. Words like "masculine" and "feminine" are clearly unrelated to the word "blunt." And the word "indirect" is actually an antonym of the word "blunt." Carefully considering the other answer choices may help you arrive at the correct answer.

Example Question #296 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Fussy

Inconstant

Finicky

Humble

Youthful

Correct answer:

Inconstant

Explanation:

The words "fickle" and "inconstant" describe the personality of someone who changes his or her mind frequently. The other words do not share this meaning. The words "finicky" and "fussy" are synonymous with each other, describing someone with fastidious behavior. "Humble" and "youthful" are not related in meaning to the word fickle.

Example Question #297 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Insensitive

Dense

Caring

Compassionate

Criminal

Correct answer:

Insensitive

Explanation:

"Callous" means "insensitive" or cruel.

"Criminal" means corrupt or illegal.

"Dense" means thick or compressed; as a personality trait it means unintelligent.

"Compassionate" means caring and empathetic.

"Caring" means to be kind and attentive to another's needs.

Example Question #298 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SCRUPULOUS

Possible Answers:

Immoral

Principled

Monastic

Devious

Kind

Correct answer:

Principled

Explanation:

"Scrupulous" means "principled," honest or trustworthy.

"Kind" means generous and good.

"Monastic" means secluded or contemplative or related to a monk.

"Devious" means deceitful, dishonest, wily.

"Immoral" means evil, degenerate or unscrupulous.

Example Question #299 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CYNICAL

Possible Answers:

Displaced

Distrusting

Disgusting

Pertinent

Relevant

Correct answer:

Distrusting

Explanation:

The adjective "cynical" is used to describe someone who is distrusting of others and inclined to believe things are less virtuous than they seem. Additionally, "disgusting" means gross, unattractive, sickening; "displaced" means moved from its original position, dislodged, shifted; "pertinent" is a synonym of "relevant" they both mean related to the topic of discussion, important to what is happening.

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