SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms

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

PASSIVE

 

Possible Answers:

vocal

dominant

insightful

filled with holes

submissive

Correct answer:

submissive

Explanation:

Passive means submissive.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

vocal

light

quick

reserved

invisible

Correct answer:

reserved

Explanation:

Aloof means someone is reserved.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “dour” is __________.

Possible Answers:

persuasive

cheerful

belligerent

unnoticed

grim

Correct answer:

grim

Explanation:

“Dour” is an adjective that means “relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “severe,” “stern,” or “gloomy.” That means that “cheerful” cannot be the correct answer, because “cheerful” is an adjective that can mean either “noticeably happy and optimistic” or “causing happiness by its nature or appearance,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “dour.” “Grim,” however, is an adjective that can mean “ unrelentingly harsh; merciless or severe,” and because “grim” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “dour,” “grim” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “haughty” is __________.

Possible Answers:

humble

proud

serendipitous

plaintive

neurotic

Correct answer:

proud

Explanation:

“Haughty” is an adjective that means “arrogantly superior and disdainful.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “disdainful.” That means that “humble” cannot be the correct answer, because “humble” is an adjective that means “having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “haughty.” “Proud,” however, is an adjective that can mean “having or showing a high or excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance,” and because “proud” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “haughty,” “proud” is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the words that are most similar in meaning.

Furtive

Possible Answers:

Receding

Memorable

Stealthy

Symbolic

Refurbished

Correct answer:

Stealthy

Explanation:

"Furtive" means stealthy, sly, or shifty.

Example Question #443 : Synonyms

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

Altruistic

Possible Answers:

Traditional

Twisted

Selfless

Oblong

Changing

Correct answer:

Selfless

Explanation:

"Altruistic" means being unselfishly concerned with the well-being of others.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

Industrious

Possible Answers:

Affected

Ulterior

Hard-working

Depraved

Pressing

Correct answer:

Hard-working

Explanation:

"Industrious" means hard-working.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Moody

Possible Answers:

Emotional

Dark

Friendly

Generous

Desperate

Correct answer:

Emotional

Explanation:

"Moody" means emotionally variable.

Example Question #152 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Rich

Wasteful

Thrifty

Money

Gentle

Correct answer:

Thrifty

Explanation:

"Frugal" means thrifty. A person who is frugal is careful with how they spend their money.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MEEK

Possible Answers:

Vibrant 

Effective 

Timid 

Vigorous 

Powerful 

Correct answer:

Timid 

Explanation:

“Meek” means mild, cowed or shy, so the correct answer is “timid,” which means shy. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all synonyms that mean powerful, lively or energetic.

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