SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #401 : Synonyms

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

EXASPERATED

Possible Answers:

Munificent

Displeased

Magnificent 

Frustrated 

Gregarious 

Correct answer:

Frustrated 

Explanation:

To feel "exasperated" means to feel very frustrated. For clarification, "magnificent" means glorious and wonderful; "munificent" means generous; "gregarious" means outgoing and sociable.

Example Question #402 : Synonyms

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

EXUBERANT

Possible Answers:

Parsimonious 

Feral 

Languid 

Cheerful 

Kinetic

Correct answer:

Cheerful 

Explanation:

Someone who is "exuberant" is very cheerful, so "cheerful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "feral" means wild, "parsimonious" means not generous, "languid" means lazy and lethargic or slow when referring to movement(s), and "kinetic" means having to do with movement

Example Question #403 : Synonyms

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

LIVID

Possible Answers:

Very angry 

Very calm 

Very happy 

Very sleepy

Very sad 

Correct answer:

Very angry 

Explanation:

"Livid" means furious, irate or very angry, so "very angry" is the correct answer.

Example Question #404 : Synonyms

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

ELATED

Possible Answers:

Frigid

Jubilant

Friendly

Tasty

Depressed

Correct answer:

Jubilant

Explanation:

"Elated" means very happy, so "jubilant," an adjective that means triumphant or gleeful, is the correct answer. "Depressed" is an antonym of "elated" and "jubilant"; it means sad and gloomy. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to that of "elated": "tasty" means delicious or flavorful; "frigid" means very cold; and "friendly" means amiable.

Example Question #405 : Synonyms

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

SHEEPISH

Possible Answers:

Embarassed

Flexible

Swift

Energetic

Sympathetic

Correct answer:

Embarassed

Explanation:

"Sheepish" means embarrassed or uncomfortable, so "embarassed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sheepish": "swift" means rapid or quick; "energetic" means lively or having or showing a lot of energy; "sympathetic" means compassionate or understanding; and "flexible" means bendable.

Example Question #406 : Synonyms

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

MISERABLE

Possible Answers:

Joyful

Sturdy

Unhappy

Grimy

Lethal

Correct answer:

Unhappy

Explanation:

"Miserable" means sad or unhappy, so "unhappy" is the correct answer. "Joyful" is an antonym of "miserable"; it means very happy or cheerful. "Lethal" means dangerous and possibly causing death. "Sturdy" means strong or robust. "Grimy" means filthy or dirty.

Example Question #407 : Synonyms

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

ENVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Jealous

Pesky

Glorious

Vapid

Familiar

Correct answer:

Jealous

Explanation:

"Envious" most nearly means jealous, as in "Admiring the movie star's gorgeous looks, Lori felt slightly envious of her beauty."

Example Question #408 : Synonyms

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

SANGUINE

Possible Answers:

Beautiful

Cheery

Calm

Dirty

Smart

Correct answer:

Cheery

Explanation:

"Sanguine" most nearly means cheery when faced with difficulty, as in "Despite the fact that his opponent had beaten him before, Gary remained sanguine about his chances of winning the race."

Example Question #409 : Synonyms

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Awry

Calm

Alarmed

Ghastly

Prone

Correct answer:

Alarmed

Explanation:

"Aghast" is an adjective that means stunned or horrified, so we need to find another adjective that means something that has to do with feeling shock or fear. While "ghastly" sounds like "aghast," it is an adjective that means terrible or shocking. Since "ghastly" does not mean the same thing as "aghast" ("shocking" doesn't mean the same thing as "shocked"), it can't be the right answer. "Alarmed," on the other hand, means frightened, and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "aghast," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #410 : Synonyms

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Pennant

Loose

Tight

Penitent

Content

Correct answer:

Penitent

Explanation:

"Contrite" is an adjective that means "feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt," so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "feeling guilty." While "pennant" and "penitent" sound quite similar to one another, "pennant" is a noun meaning "a long, thin, pointed flag," while "penitent" is an adjective meaning "feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant." Because "penitent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrite," "penitent" is the correct answer.

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