SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PUGNACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Devout 

Repugnant 

Rendezvous

Munificent

Belligerent 

Correct answer:

Belligerent 

Explanation:

Someone who is "pugnacious" is aggressive, hostile and belligerent, so "belligerent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pugnacious" and the correct answer. For clarification, a "rendezvous" is a secret meeting, "devout" means very religious, "repugnant" means gross or unpleasant, and "munificent" means generous or plentiful.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RANCOROUS

Possible Answers:

Cheerful 

Toxic 

Noxious 

Poisonous 

Implacable 

Correct answer:

Implacable 

Explanation:

Someone who is "rancorous" is merciless, relentless or implacable. For clarification, "noxious," "toxic," and "poisonous" are all synonyms.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

 

BOMBASTIC

Possible Answers:

Forlorn 

Verbose 

Banal 

Prophetic 

Umbrage 

Correct answer:

Verbose 

Explanation:

"Bombastic" means long-winded, insincere, or verbose, and is often used to describe speech. "Verbose" refers to unnecessarily long speech, so it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "bombastic" and the correct answer. For clarification, "forlorn" means sad and hopeless, "banal" means mundane or boring, "umbrage" means offense, and "prophetic" means predicting what will happen in the future.

Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Excessive 

Cunning 

Demanding 

Opulent 

Fortunate 

Correct answer:

Cunning 

Explanation:

Someone who is "wily" is crafty and cunning and possesses guile, so "cunning," an adjective that means shrewd, is the correct answer. For clarification, "fortunate" means lucky, "excessive" means too much or extreme, and "opulent" means wealthy or fancy.

Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Vicarious

Introverted 

Fulsome 

Lonely 

Sociable 

Correct answer:

Sociable 

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means friendly and sociable, so "sociable," an adjective that means cordial or affable, is the correct answer. For clarification, "fulsome" means flattering or excessive, "vicarious" describes something that is experienced through another person, "introverted" means shy, and "lonely" means isolated or friendless.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

FULSOME

Possible Answers:

Jubilant 

Complimentary

Panicked 

Fervent

Demeaning 

Correct answer:

Complimentary

Explanation:

"Fulsome" means flattering or excessively complimentary, so "complimentary," which means favorable or flattering, is the correct answer. For clarification, "panicked" means worried or scared, something that is "demeaning" is insulting, "fervent" means zealous or passionate, and "jubilant" means very happy.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GARRULOUS

Possible Answers:

Verbose

Uncommunicative

Timorous

Closemouthed

Taciturn

Correct answer:

Verbose

Explanation:

"Garrulous" means talkative. Eliminate the synonyms "uncommunicative," "taciturn," and "closemouthed." "Timorous" and "verbose" are your only options. "Timorous" means fearful, while "verbose" means talkative, just like "garrulous" does. Verbose is the answer!

Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Uncontrollable

Despotic 

Adroit 

Sanguine 

Malaise 

Correct answer:

Adroit 

Explanation:

“Deft” means dextrous or skillful. If you are “adroit,” you are good with your hands or skillful, so "adroit" is the correct answer. To help you, “malaise” means unease, “sanguine” means healthy or optimistic, and “despotic” means like a dictator or very controlling.

Example Question #48 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ECCENTRIC

Possible Answers:

Unorthodox 

Maniacal 

Introverted 

Fearful 

Dubious 

Correct answer:

Unorthodox 

Explanation:

If you are “eccentric,” you act in strange or unusual ways. Similarly, “unorthodox” means different from what is usually done or accepted, so an “unorthodox” person does not follow the path society sets. To clarify, “introverted” means shy or withdrawn; “dubious” means doubtful or suspicious; “mechanical” means relating to machines; and “maniacal” means affected with or suggestive of madness.

Example Question #470 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AFFABLE

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Sleepy

Talkative

Funny

Sullen

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

"Affable" most nearly means friendly, so "friendly" is the correct answer.

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