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 #581 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ODIOUS

Possible Answers:

Indelible

Odiferous

Hateful

Erudite

Convalescent

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

"Odious" means "hateful," loathsome or terrible.

"Erudite" means learned, well-educated, knowledgeable.

"Convalescent" means improving or recuperating, recovering one's health.

"Odiferous" means stinking, foul-smelling or fetid.

"Indelible" means not able to erased, permanent, unforgettable

Example Question #582 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INQUISITIVE

Possible Answers:

Unique

Boring

Petty

Curious

Empathetic

Correct answer:

Curious

Explanation:

"Inquisitive" means "curious," the trait of asking questions or seeking knowledge.

"Petty" means insignificant, trivial or narrow-minded.

"Empathetic" means caring, compassionate, loving.

"Boring" means uninteresting, dull, monotonous.

"Unique" means alone, special, rare.

Example Question #583 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DIABOLICAL

Possible Answers:

Able-bodied

Ingenious

Wicked

Harmless

Benevolent

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

"Diabolical" means "wicked," devilish or cruel.

"Harmless" means safe, innocuous, or describes something that is not dangerous

"Ingenious" means very clever, brilliant or creative.

"Able-bodied" means strapping, strong, or physically fit.

"Benevolent" means kind, good-hearted, generous.

Example Question #584 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DOCILE

Possible Answers:

Stubborn

Determined

Willful

Obedient

Mild

Correct answer:

Obedient

Explanation:

The correct answer is "obedient."

"Docile" is an adjective that means ready to accept instruction; "obedient" is a synonym of "docile" meaning to comply with orders or requests.

Example Question #585 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Crude

Refined

Petty

Scrupulous

Gracious

Correct answer:

Crude

Explanation:

"Churlish" means crude, boorish, rude or grumpy.

"Petty" means narrow-minded when describing someone's personality; it can also mean insignificant or trivial or unimportant.

"Gracious" means kind, giving, amiable

"Scrupulous" means very careful, meticulous or fussy.

"Refined" means cultured, civilized or elegant.

Example Question #316 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

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

LEWD

Possible Answers:

directionless

noisy

misleading

absolve

vulgar

Correct answer:

vulgar

Explanation:

Lewd means vulgar.

Example Question #311 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

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

TEDIOUS

Possible Answers:

forgiven

disgusting

boring

trapped

upset

Correct answer:

boring

Explanation:

"Tedious" means boring or dull.

Example Question #312 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of "burgeoning" is __________.

Possible Answers:

bubbling

closing

escalating

declining

drying

Correct answer:

escalating

Explanation:

"Burgeon" is a verb that means "beginning to grow or increase rapidly, flourishing," or "putting forth young shoots; budding" when used of plants, so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "flourishing." Since "escalating" means "increase rapidly" or "become or cause to become more intense or serious," "escalating" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "burgeoning," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #313 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of “engrossed” is __________.

Possible Answers:

bored

measured

fortunate

gleeful

riveted

Correct answer:

riveted

Explanation:

“Engrossed” is an adjective that means “having all one’s attention or interest absorbed by someone or something.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “absorbed.” That means that “bored” cannot be the correct answer, because “bored” is an adjective that means “feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one’s current activity,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “engrossed.” “Riveted,” however, is an adjective that can mean “attracted and completely engrossed,” and because “riveted” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “engrossed,” “riveted” is the correct answer.

Example Question #314 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of “null” is __________.

Possible Answers:

pernicious

demonstrable

jagged

void

valid

Correct answer:

void

Explanation:

“Null” is a word that can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are adjectives, we will need to consider “null” as an adjective. When used as an adjective, “null” means either “having no legal or binding force; invalid” or “having or associated with the value zero.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cancelled” or “associated with the value zero.” That means that “valid” cannot be the correct answer, because “valid” can mean “legally binding due to having been executed in compliance with the law” or “legally or officially acceptable,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “null.” “Void,” however, when used as an adjective, means “not valid or legally binding,” and because “void” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “null,” “void” is the correct answer.

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