SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #501 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LETHARGIC

Possible Answers:

Novel

Surreptitious

Sluggish

Foreign

Abnormal

Correct answer:

Sluggish

Explanation:

"Lethargic" and "sluggish" both mean underactive. "Abnormal," the opposite of normal, means out of the ordinary or strange. "Novel," when used as an adjective, means new. "Surreptitious" is another word for sneaky, and "foreign," the opposite of domestic, refers to things that are from another country.

Example Question #502 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRANK

Possible Answers:

Lethargic

Roundabout

Candid

Receptive

Deceptive

Correct answer:

Candid

Explanation:

"Frank," or "candid," means open, direct, and honest. "Lethargic" means sluggish or lazy; "receptive" means willing or able to receive new ideas or information. "Deceptive," on the other hand, means deceitful or intending to mislead. "Roundabout" means indirect, winding, or unclear.

Example Question #503 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HOSTILE

Possible Answers:

Robust

Unhelpful

Antagonistic

Supple

Judicious

Correct answer:

Antagonistic

Explanation:

"Hostile" means antagonistic or unfriendly. "Unhelpful" is an antonym of "helpful," "robust" means strong and sturdy, and "judicious" means showing or using good judgment. "Supple" is a synonym for flexible and limber.

Example Question #504 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELDERLY

Possible Answers:

Equitable

Geriatric

Obsolete

Lustful

Nomadic

Correct answer:

Geriatric

Explanation:

"Elderly" means geriatric. "Nomadic" describes people who move around frequently and have no set home. "Equitable" means fair or equal. "Obsolete" means outdated. "Lustful" means full of lust and is a synonym for lecherous.

Example Question #505 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EAGER

Possible Answers:

Nervous

Supple

Fervent

Velvet

Dour

Correct answer:

Fervent

Explanation:

"Eager" and "fervent" both mean enthusiastic. "Velvet" is a soft type of material, "nervous" means anxious, and "dour" means stern and unsmiling. "Supple" is a synonym for limber and flexible.

Example Question #506 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DILIGENT

Possible Answers:

Spiteful

Exacerbating

Raspy

Elementary

Hardworking

Correct answer:

Hardworking

Explanation:

"Diligent" means hardworking. "Raspy" means hoarse and is usually used to describe voices. "Elementary" means easy or straightforward or rudimentary. To "exacerbate" a situation is to make it worse or more severe; to be "spiteful" is to act in cruel, malicious ways.

Example Question #507 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JUVENILE

Possible Answers:

Mature

Celebratory

Joyful

Explanatory

Youthful

Correct answer:

Youthful

Explanation:

"Juvenile" refers to youths or adolescents. "Mature," a near antonym, means fully developed. "Joyful," a synonym for jubilant, means full of joy. "Explanatory" means in a manner that explains something, and "celebratory" means in a manner of celebration.

Example Question #508 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ZESTFUL

Possible Answers:

Frightening

Hearty

Boring

Spirited

Unenthused

Correct answer:

Spirited

Explanation:

Someone "zestful" is spirited or full of excitement. "Boring" is dull or tedious, and "frightening" is scary. "Unenthused" means uninterested. "Hearty" means either substantial (when describing food) or loud, cheerful, and vigorous (when describing people).

Example Question #509 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MEEK

Possible Answers:

Courageous

Silent

Timid

Acoustic

Bragging

Correct answer:

Timid

Explanation:

"Meekness" is shyness or timidity. "Silent" is an antonym for loud and raucous. "Acoustic" refers to sound and the study of sound, and "courageous" means brave. To "brag" is to compliment or boast about oneself.

Example Question #510 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DUBIOUS

Possible Answers:

Deceitful

Celebratory

Factual

Doubtful

Solid

Correct answer:

Doubtful

Explanation:

"Dubious" means hesitating or doubting. "Deceitful" and "deceptive" are synonyms. "Factual" means truthful or accurate, and "celebratory" means festive. "Solid" is, of course, a state of physical matter.

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