SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

BLEAKLY

Possible Answers:

Desolately

Comfortingly

Classically

Alarmingly

Loudly

Correct answer:

Desolately

Explanation:

Something "bleak" is bare, desolate, or stark. Something "comforting" is reassuring and alleviates distress. Something "loud" is noisy, something "classical" is traditional and well established, and something "alarming" is worrisome or disturbing.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

GRIMLY

Possible Answers:

Underhandedly

Deviously

Excessively

Qualitatively

Darkly

Correct answer:

Darkly

Explanation:

"Grim" has a number of meanings: forbidding, dark, humorless, dreadful, and dire. "Excessive" means too much. "Qualitative," the opposite of quantitative refers to properties that aren't able to be measured numerically. "Underhanded" means dishonest or secretive, and "devious" means skillfully underhanded.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

PROFUSELY

Possible Answers:

Joyfully

Plentifully

Problematically

Eagerly

Sneakily

Correct answer:

Plentifully

Explanation:

"Profusely" means abundantly, plentifully, or even lavishly. A synonym for "joyful" is jubilant, and a synonym for "eager" is enthusiastic. "Sneakily" means in a sly or deceitful manner. "Problematic" means containing or presenting problems.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

EMOTIONALLY

Possible Answers:

Passionately

Unfeelingly

Irrationally

Sickly

Rapidly

Correct answer:

Passionately

Explanation:

"Emotional" can mean relating to emotions, but it can also mean ardent, passionate, moving, or touching. It does not necessarily mean irrational. "Rapidly" means quickly, and "irrational" means not governed by reason or rationality. "Sickly" and "unhealthy" are synonyms of each other, as are "unfeeling" and "unsympathetic."

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

RAVENOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Hungrily

Choosily

Scornfully

Worshipfully

Richly

Correct answer:

Hungrily

Explanation:

"Ravenous" means hungry, starving, or famished. "Choosy" and "picky" are synonyms. "Scornfully" means full of contempt or scorn, and "worshipfully" means in a reverent manner. "Richly" can mean opulently or affluently.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

TIDILY

Possible Answers:

Confusedly

Cleverly

Microscopically

Officially

Neatly

Correct answer:

Neatly

Explanation:

Something that is "tidy" is neat, orderly, and organized. "Confusedly" means in a confused manner; "officially" means in a formal and often public manner. "Microscopic" means very tiny, and "clever" means bright, sharp, intelligent.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

FURIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Abnormally

Woefully

Dutifully

Triumphantly

Angrily

Correct answer:

Angrily

Explanation:

"Furious" means angry. "Woeful" means tragic or miserable. "Abnormal" means unusual or out of the ordinary. "Dutiful" means performing required tasks and obligations, and "triumphant" means victorious.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

COLORFULLY

Possible Answers:

Lucidly

Shallowly

Greenly

Vibrantly

Translucently

Correct answer:

Vibrantly

Explanation:

"Colorful" can mean bright, vibrant, lively, or exciting. Something "translucent" allows light to pass through it, and something "lucid" is clear and comprehensible. "Shallowly" is an antonym of deeply.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to this word:

Wretchedly

Possible Answers:

religiously

dearly

miserably

carefully

mechanically

Correct answer:

miserably

Explanation:

To be wretched is to be miserable, unfortunate, or even despairing. To be religious is to follow a religion (people) or be related to a religion (things). Mechanically means in the manner of a machine, and carefully means cautiously. Dearly and very much are synonyms.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

HASTILY

Possible Answers:

Mostly

Sloppily

Entirely

Longingly

Hurriedly

Correct answer:

Hurriedly

Explanation:

"Hasty" means too quick, urgent, rushed, or hurried. "Sloppy" and "careless" and "haphazard" are all synonyms, and "entirely" and "wholly" are synonyms. "Mostly" and "mainly" are also synonyms. "Longing" means yearning for or craving a person, place, or thing.

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