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 #634 : Synonyms

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

RAVENOUS

Possible Answers:

Deleterious

Efficient 

Harmless 

Harmful 

Starving

Correct answer:

Starving

Explanation:

To be "ravenous" means to be very hungry, so the correct answer is “starving,” which also means very hungry. For clarification, "deleterious" means harmful, and "efficient" means well-organized.

Example Question #635 : Synonyms

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

BALMY

Possible Answers:

Harsh 

Soothing 

Reflexive 

Fascinating 

Cowardly

Correct answer:

Soothing 

Explanation:

If something is “balmy,” it has the qualities of balm, so it is soothing. It can also be used to mean crazy or foolish. To clarify, “reflexive” means directed or turned back on itself; "cowardly” means not brave; “fascinating” means interesting; “harsh” means unpleasant or unfair.

Example Question #636 : Synonyms

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

VENERABLE

Possible Answers:

Rotund 

Respected

Defenseless 

Dire 

Collude 

Correct answer:

Respected

Explanation:

If something is “venerable,” it is respected or valued because of age. It is most similar in meaning to “respected.” To clarify the other terms, “collude” means to secretly conspire or interact with others, often to do something illegal or dishonest; “rotund” means round or fat; “dire” means terrible or perilous.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

BOURGEOIS

Possible Answers:

fancy

middle-class

impoverished

a powder room

comfortable

Correct answer:

middle-class

Explanation:

Someone who is "bourgeois" is of the middle-class.

Example Question #637 : Synonyms

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

EFFICIENT

Possible Answers:

Arduous

Effective

Wasteful

Unreliable

Dull

Correct answer:

Effective

Explanation:

"Efficient" means effective without being wasteful, so "effective" is the closest synonym.

Example Question #638 : Synonyms

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

EERIE

Possible Answers:

Tranquil

Just

Injured

Uncanny

Protected

Correct answer:

Uncanny

Explanation:

“Eerie” is an adjective that means weird and scary. That means that “tranquil” cannot be the correct answer, because “tranquil” means calm, a meaning very distant from that of “eerie.” “Uncanny,” however, is an adjective that means perplexing and odd and because “uncanny” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “eerie,” “uncanny” is the correct answer.

Example Question #639 : Synonyms

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

BLATANT

Possible Answers:

Gloomy

Flagrant

Ecstatic

Shrouded

Urban

Correct answer:

Flagrant

Explanation:

"Blatant" means flagrant or performed openly, so "flagrant" is the correct answer. "Shrouded" is an antonym of "blatant" and "flagrant"; it means concealed or hidden from open view. "Gloomy" means sad or depresssed. "Ecstatic" means extremely happy. "Urban" means having to do with a city environment in contrast to a rural environment.

Example Question #641 : Synonyms

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

DESPERATE

Possible Answers:

Healthy

Courageous

Reliable

Hopeless

Studious

Correct answer:

Hopeless

Explanation:

"Desperate" means "hopeless." "Studious"  means studying hard and working hard in academic pursuits. "Healthy" means in good health and free from illnesses. "Courageous" means brave. "Reliable" means dependable and responsible.

Example Question #348 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

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

DISMAL

Possible Answers:

obese

miserable

lethargic

weakened

shattered

Correct answer:

miserable

Explanation:

Dismal means miserable.

Example Question #642 : Synonyms

A synonym of "illicit" is __________.

Possible Answers:

condoned

permitted

occasional

encouraged

illegal

Correct answer:

illegal

Explanation:

"Illicit" is an adjective that means "forbidden by law, rules, or custom," so we need to pick out another word that means "forbidden." While "condoned" might sound like a potentially correct answer, "condoned" means "accepted and allowed to continue" and used of things that are morally wrong or offensive, "condoned" does not mean the same thing as "illicit," so it cannot be the correct answer. Since "illegal" means "contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law," "illegal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "illicit" and the correct answer.

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