SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #631 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LUCRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Profitable

Lucky 

Recreational

Sensational 

Hindering 

Correct answer:

Profitable

Explanation:

If a business is “lucrative,” it makes a lot of money or it is able to make a lot of money. “Profitable” also means able to make a lot of money or profit. If something is “hindering,” it prevents something from moving forward. You can tell the meaning of the word "hindering" from its root word "hind-," which means back. An animal’s “hind” legs are their back legs. “Recreational” refers to something done in one's spare time. “Sensational” means shocking or amazing.

Example Question #632 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "formidable" is __________.

Possible Answers:

dirty

afraid

burnt

tasty

accomplished

Correct answer:

accomplished

Explanation:

"Formidable" is an adjective that means "inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "inspiring fear or respect." "Afraid" may look like a potentially correct answer, but "afraid" does not mean "inspiring fear," but rather "feeling fear or anxiety; frightened," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Accomplished," however, is an adjective that means "highly trained or skilled," and because "accomplished" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "formidable," "accomplished" is the correct answer.

Example Question #633 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "potent" is __________.

Possible Answers:

frail

indispensable

derelict

mighty

arranged

Correct answer:

mighty

Explanation:

"Potent" is an adjective that means "having great power, influence, or effect," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "powerful" or "having a strong effect." "Frail," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "frail" is an adjective that can mean "of a person: weak and delicate," "easily damaged or broken; fragile or insubstantial," or "weak in character or morals," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "potent." "Mighty," however, is an adjective that can mean "possessing great and impressive power or strength, especially on account of size" or "of an action: performed with or requiring great strength." Because "mighty" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "potent," "mighty" is the correct answer.

Example Question #634 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Potent

Possible Answers:

Powerful

Critical

Memorable

Unfortunate

Immortal

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

"Potent" means powerful; Unfortunate means unlucky; Immortal means able to live forever; Memorable means easily remembered; and Critical means important.

Example Question #635 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Drowsy

Possible Answers:

Loyal

Energetic

Excited

Tired

Nervous

Correct answer:

Tired

Explanation:

"Drowsy" means sleepy or tired.

Example Question #635 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Powerless 

Meaningful 

Serendipitous

Complicated 

Outlier 

Correct answer:

Complicated 

Explanation:

Something that is "intricate" is complex and complicated. For clarification, an "outlier" is something or somebody that is outside of the norm; "serendipitous" means owed to good fortune.

Example Question #636 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Weak

Idiotic

Flawless

Powerful

Disappointed

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

"Potent" means forceful or powerful, so "powerful" is the correct answer. "Weak" is an antonym of "potent" and "powerful"; it means not having strengh or power. "Disappointed" means upset or not having one's expectations met. "Idiotic" means stupid or foolish. "Flawless" means perfect or without defects.

Example Question #637 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TORPID

Possible Answers:

Dormant

Dynamic

Active

Vital

Functional

Correct answer:

Dormant

Explanation:

"Torpid" means inactive or lacking energy. While not precisely synonyms, "functional" and "active" have similar meanings. You can eliminate them. "Dynamic" and "vital" are synonyms meaning full of energy. Therefore, the only choice that fits is "dormant," which means inactive.

Example Question #638 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Free

Firm

Weak

Capable

Strong

Correct answer:

Weak

Explanation:

"Feeble" is an adjective that means lacking strength. Of the answer choices, "weak" has the closest meaning.

Example Question #639 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRUELING

Possible Answers:

Diligent

Lively

Diligent

Immature

Contagious

Contagious

Exhausting

Correct answer:

Exhausting

Explanation:

"Grueling" means very tiring or exhausting, so "exhausting" is the correct answer. "Lively" is an antonym of "grueling" and "exhausting"; it means active or having a lot of energy. "Immature" means child-like, as one might infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "im-," which means not, and "mature." "Contagious" means easily spread and usually refers to a disease. "Diligent" means hard-working.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors