SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1361 : Synonyms

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

SIGNIFICANT

Possible Answers:

Symbolic

Meaningless

Insignificant

Consequential

Unimportant

Correct answer:

Consequential

Explanation:

"Significant" and "consequential" are adjectives describing things that are important and have meaningful consequences. The other words do not share this meaning. Words like "symbolic" may seem to come close; however, the meaning of "symbolic" is not sufficiently relevant to that of "significant." The remaining words are actually antonyms of the words "significant" and "consequential."

Example Question #1362 : Synonyms

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

CRYPTIC

Possible Answers:

Relevant

Pretentious

Secret

Prevalent

Portentous

Correct answer:

Secret

Explanation:

"Cryptic" means "secret," encoded, or obscure in meaning.

"Portentous" means ominous or having great significance or meaning.

"Pretentious" means snobby, conceited or grandiose.

"Prevalent" means wide-spread, common, accepted.

"Relevant" means pertinent, appropriate, or related to something.

Example Question #1363 : Synonyms

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

COVERT

Possible Answers:

Congenial

Senile

Illiterate

Secretive

Terse

Correct answer:

Secretive

Explanation:

The adjective "covert" means meant to be undertaken without people knowing or noticing, secretive, stealthy. Additionally, "terse" means brief, concise, to the point; "senile" means mentally weakened due to old age; "congenial" means friendly and agreeable; "illiterate" means not literate, not able to read or write.

Example Question #1364 : Synonyms

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

CONFIDENTIAL

Possible Answers:

Harmonious

Stifling

Elegant

Private

Frivolous

Correct answer:

Private

Explanation:

The adjective "confidential" means intended to be secret, private and personal information. Additionally, "elegant" means dignified and refined, being stylish and graceful; "harmonious" means either peaceful or pleasing-sounding; "frivolous" means having no purpose or use; "stifling" means oppressive, uncomfortably hot.

Example Question #1365 : Synonyms

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

PREPOSTEROUS

Possible Answers:

Opaque

Obtuse

Transparent

Absurd

Acute

Correct answer:

Absurd

Explanation:

The adjective "preposterous" means absurd, ridiculous, too silly to be believed. Additionally, "opaque" means not allowing light to pass through, whereas "transparent" means allowing light to pass through; "obtuse" means dull-witted, mentally slow, whereas "acute" means sharp-witted, mentally quick.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Movement, And Location

Synonyms

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

NOVEL

Possible Answers:

heavy

new

traditional

weighty

boring

Correct answer:

new

Explanation:

Novel means something is new.

Example Question #556 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

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

STAGNANT

Possible Answers:

thrown away

dynamic

bullish

vile

still

Correct answer:

still

Explanation:

"Stagnant" means still, not flowing.

Example Question #557 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of “eternal” is __________.

Possible Answers:

perpetual

ephemeral

material

sparse

flavorful

Correct answer:

perpetual

Explanation:

“Eternal” is an adjective that means “lasting forever; without end or beginning,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “lasting forever.” That means that “ephemeral” cannot be the correct answer, because “ephemeral” means “lasting for a very short time,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “eternal.” “Perpetual,” however, is an adjective that means “never ending or changing,” and because “perpetual” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “eternal,” “perpetual” is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Movement, And Location

Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.

Archaic

Possible Answers:

Systemic

Kind

Old

Treacherous

Desolate

Correct answer:

Old

Explanation:

"Archaic" means old or primitive.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Movement, And Location

Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.

Incipient

Possible Answers:

Peevish

Imprisoned

Loose

Beginning

Connected

Correct answer:

Beginning

Explanation:

"Incipient" means beginning to exist or happen.

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