SSAT Middle Level Verbal : SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #587 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INQUISITIVE

Possible Answers:

Curious

Petty

Unique

Empathetic

Boring

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 #588 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DIABOLICAL

Possible Answers:

Able-bodied

Benevolent

Ingenious

Wicked

Harmless

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 #589 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DOCILE

Possible Answers:

Determined

Mild

Stubborn

Willful

Obedient

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 #601 : Synonyms

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Petty

Scrupulous

Crude

Refined

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 #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms

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

LEWD

Possible Answers:

directionless

vulgar

absolve

noisy

misleading

Correct answer:

vulgar

Explanation:

Lewd means vulgar.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms

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

TEDIOUS

Possible Answers:

trapped

boring

upset

disgusting

forgiven

Correct answer:

boring

Explanation:

"Tedious" means boring or dull.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

A synonym of "burgeoning" is __________.

Possible Answers:

declining

escalating

bubbling

closing

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 #3 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

A synonym of “engrossed” is __________.

Possible Answers:

measured

riveted

bored

gleeful

fortunate

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 #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

A synonym of “null” is __________.

Possible Answers:

pernicious

valid

jagged

demonstrable

void

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.

Example Question #611 : Synonyms

A synonym of “ingrained” is __________.

Possible Answers:

entrenched

superb

transient

gregarious

pungent

Correct answer:

entrenched

Explanation:

“Ingrained” is an adjective that can mean either “firmly fixed or established; difficult to change” when referring to a habit, belief, or attitude, or “deeply embedded and thus difficult to remove” when referring to dirt or a stain. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “difficult to change” or “deeply embedded.” That means that “transient” cannot be the correct answer, because “transient” means “lasting only for a short time; impermanent,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “ingrained.” “Entrenched,” however, is an adjective that is used of an attitude, habit, or belief and means “firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained.” Because “entrenched” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “ingrained,” “entrenched” is the correct answer.

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