SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #431 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Assuming 

Useless 

Skillful 

Daft

Pompous

Correct answer:

Skillful 

Explanation:

Someone who is “deft” is quick and skillful. For clarification, "pompous" means arrogant and self-important, and "daft" means silly or foolish.

Example Question #432 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POMPOUS

Possible Answers:

Quiet 

Timid 

Whimsical 

Meek 

Arrogant 

Correct answer:

Arrogant 

Explanation:

Someone who is “pompous” is arrogant and self-important. For clarification, "meek" means mild-mannered and cowardly, "timid" means shy, and "whimsical" means quirky or silly.

Example Question #433 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Unworthy 

Passionate 

Unkind 

Underwhelming 

Apathetic 

Correct answer:

Passionate 

Explanation:

To be "zealous" about something means to be passionate. For clarification, apathetic means not caring.

Example Question #434 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Careless 

Thrifty 

Hasty 

Casual 

Slapdash 

Correct answer:

Thrifty 

Explanation:

"Frugal" means to be careful with money, to be practical. As such it is closest in meaning to "thrifty," which means economical with money. For clarification, the other four answer choices are loosely synonyms of one another and careless is a good antonym of frugal.

Example Question #435 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Jolly

Just 

Gaunt 

Giant 

Tiny 

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

Someone who is "jovial" is friendly and jolly. For clarification, something that is "just" is fair; gaunt means skeletal and unhealthily skinny.

Example Question #436 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOCULAR

Possible Answers:

Keen 

Unfair 

Susceptible

Humorous 

Mitigate 

Correct answer:

Humorous 

Explanation:

To be "jocular" means to be humorous. For clarification, "mitigate" means lessen, alleviate; "keen" means eager; "susceptible" means vulnerable.

Example Question #437 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRAVE

Possible Answers:

Serious 

Preposterous

Deplorable 

Absurd 

Insignificant 

Correct answer:

Serious 

Explanation:

A situation that is "grave" is serious and somber. For clarification, "deplorable" means deserving of hatred; "absurd" and "preposterous" are synonyms that both mean ridiculous.

Example Question #438 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NAÏVE

Possible Answers:

Experienced

Mundane 

Jocular 

Innocent 

Lofty 

Correct answer:

Innocent 

Explanation:

If you are "naïve" you are innocent and gullible. Naïve people are easily lied to and manipulated. For clarification, "lofty" means very high or proud; "mundane" means ordinary or boring; "jocular" means humorous.

Example Question #439 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Passionate 

Shy 

Disrespectful

Outgoing 

Nostalgic

Correct answer:

Outgoing 

Explanation:

Someone who is "gregarious" is very social and outgoing. For clarification, "nostalgia" is a fond remembrance of the past.

Example Question #440 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALTRUISTIC

Possible Answers:

Decadent 

Charitable

Haughty 

Mousy 

Tenuous 

Correct answer:

Charitable

Explanation:

Someone who is "altruistic" is very charitable and inclined towards generosity. For clarification, "mousy" means dull or timid; "tenuous" means uncertain; "haughty" means arrogant; "decadent" means corrupt and luxurious.

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