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 #381 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Weak

Infantile

Elderly

Cumbersome

Gleeful

Correct answer:

Weak

Explanation:

"Feeble" is an adjective that means "weak," or without strength of character.

"Elderly" is a concept related to feeble, as elderly people are often feeble, but "elderly" just means old. "Infantile" could also be related, as infants typically lack physical strength, but "infantile" simply means childish. "Gleeful" means very joyful. "Cumbersome" means inconvenient, or difficult to carry or use because of size.

Example Question #382 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

EMPHATIC

Possible Answers:

Forcefully expressing something

Bleak

Gregarious

To understand another's feelings

Dubious

Correct answer:

Forcefully expressing something

Explanation:

"Emphatic" is an adjective that means to express something forcefully or to put emphasis on something.

"Gregarious" means outgoing and talkative.

"Dubious" means doubtful, or uncertain.

"Bleak" means desolate and depressing.

"To understand another's feelings" is the answer students will select if they misread emphatic as "empathetic", which means to understand another's feelings.

Example Question #383 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

POIGNANT

Possible Answers:

Heart-rending

Pompous

Sharp

Eerie

Wary

Correct answer:

Heart-rending

Explanation:

"Poignant" means heart-rending, or something that evokes sadness. "Poignant" is said poin-yent. 

None of the other words is synonymous with poignant.

"Pompous" means annoyingly self-important, excessively solemn in a forced or affected way.

"Sharp" means able to cut or puncture something, or colloquially it can mean intelligent.

"Wary" means watching for danger, being cautious.

"Eerie" means strange or weird, and is sometimes spelled "eerie" as well.

Example Question #384 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DORMANT

Possible Answers:

Wakeful

Dutiful

Inert

Rocky

Rife

Correct answer:

Inert

Explanation:

"Dormant" means "inert," unmoving, asleep or comatose.

None of the other words are synonyms of dormant:

"Rife" means abundant or plentiful.

"Dutiful" means obedient, following one's duties or conscientious.

"Rocky" means rough with stones, pebbles or rocks. Often dormant is used to describe inactive volcanoes, so "rocky" is meant to be a trick answer that triggers an association with dormant volcanoes.

"Wakeful" means awake, not asleep, or attentive. It is the opposite of dormant.

Example Question #385 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SHEER

Possible Answers:

Furry

Floral

Fuzzy

Fluffy

Utter

Correct answer:

Utter

Explanation:

The adjectives "sheer" and "utter" are synonymous. "Sheer" means nothing other than and utter means complete, absolute, or total. Here are two examples of their use: 1) His "utter" fascination with the magician made his mother smile. 2) He used nothing but his "sheer" imagination to draw the comic. The other words are not synonymous with "sheer."

Example Question #386 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PORTENTOUS

Possible Answers:

Reckless

Timorous

Frigid

Ominous

Irrevocable

Correct answer:

Ominous

Explanation:

"Portentous" means "ominous" or foreboding. A portent is a premonition or a forewarning.

"Irrevocable" means can't be taken back, or can't be undone; final.

"Timorous" means fearful, afraid, or shuddering.

"Reckless" means careless, irresponsible or negligent.

"Frigid" means very cold, or unwelcoming.

Example Question #387 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

APROPOS

Possible Answers:

Obedient

Grave

Inventive

Relevant

Unsuitable

Correct answer:

Relevant

Explanation:

"Apropos" means "relevant" or suitable; appropriate for a situation. The final "s" is not pronounced.

"Obedient" means compliant; describes someone who obeys.

"Grave" means very serious or gloomy.

"Inventive" means new, original, creative.

"Unsuitable" means inappropriate or not proper. It is an antonym of "apropos."

Example Question #388 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CARDIAC

Possible Answers:

Related to the brain

Cancerous

Healthy

Related to the heart

Related to the lung

Correct answer:

Related to the heart

Explanation:

"Cardiac" means "related to the heart." For example, a heart surgery is a cardiac surgery.

"Healthy" means fit, active or strong.

"Cancerous" as an adjective means malignant, deadly or extremely harmful.

Words with the prefix "neuro" are related to the brain. For example, a brain doctor is a neurologist. 

"Pulmonary" means related to the lung. For example, a pulmonary disease is a lung disease.

Example Question #389 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MONETARY

Possible Answers:

Plausible

Sanctimonious

Redolent

Financial

Tedious

Correct answer:

Financial

Explanation:

"Monetary" means "financial" or related to money.

"Tedious" means boring and time-consuming.

"Sanctimonious" means self-righteous, hypocritical, smug.

"Redolent" means pleasant smelling, aromatic, or pungent.

"Plausible" means believable, possible or persuasive.

Example Question #390 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Harmonious 

Easy

Diverse 

Complex

Dreadful 

Correct answer:

Complex

Explanation:

The correct answer is "complex." 

"Intricate" means very complicated or detailed.

"Complex" means consisting of many different and connected parts. The term "complex" is a synonym of the word intricate.

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