SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TACTFUL

Possible Answers:

Chewy

Energetic

Sticky

Rude

Polite

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Tactful" means polite, so "polite" is the correct answer.

Example Question #491 : Synonyms

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

OPEN-MINDED

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Quiescent

Dismissive

Wise

Intolerant

Correct answer:

Flexible

Explanation:

“Open-minded” is an adjective that means open to considering new ideasThat means that “intolerant” cannot be the correct answer, because “intolerant” means not tolerant of ideas or beliefs different from one's own, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “open-minded.” “Flexible,” however, is an adjective that can mean adaptable to new ideas and circumstances when describing a person, and because “flexible” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “open-minded,” “flexible” is the correct answer.

Example Question #492 : Synonyms

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

PERSISTENT

Possible Answers:

Dogged

Diverse

Immoral

Disloyal

Broken

Correct answer:

Dogged

Explanation:

"Persistent" is an adjective that describes someone or something that is determined and tenacious. Of the answer choices, "dogged," which means resolute, has the closest meaning.

Example Question #474 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WINSOME

Possible Answers:

Curious

True

Alert

Wordy

Charming

Correct answer:

Charming

Explanation:

"Winsome" means charming or engaging.

Example Question #493 : Synonyms

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

CAPRICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Fluent

Destructive

Mercurial

Infallible

Consistent

Correct answer:

Mercurial

Explanation:

“Capricious” is an adjective that means “given to sudden changes,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “given to sudden changes.” That means that “consistent” cannot be the correct answer, because “consistent” means “unchanging in achievement” when referring to a person, behavior, or process, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “capricious.” “Mercurial,” however, is an adjective that can mean “subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood” when describing a person. So, because “mercurial” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “capricious,” “mercurial” is the correct answer.

Example Question #494 : Synonyms

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

PLUCKY

Possible Answers:

Afraid

Oblivious

Severe

Particular

Intrepid

Correct answer:

Intrepid

Explanation:

“Plucky” is an adjective that means “having or showing determined courage in the face of difficulties,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “courageous.” That means that “afraid” cannot be the correct answer, because “afraid” means “feeling fear or anxiety; frightened,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “plucky.” “Intrepid,” however, is an adjective that means “fearless; adventurous,” and because “intrepid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “plucky,” “intrepid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #495 : Synonyms

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

LOFTY

Possible Answers:

Unwelcoming

Gregarious 

Proud 

Extravagant

Ostentatious 

Correct answer:

Proud 

Explanation:

"Lofty" can mean either very high or exalted; however, in this instance it is used to mean haughty which is most similar in meaning to "proud." Answering this question relies on your knowledge of more than one definition of lofty. Remember it is important to always be aware of the secondary and tertiary meanings of words. For clarification, "gregarious" means outgoing; "ostentatious" and "extravagant" are synonyms that both describe something showy and luxurious.

Example Question #496 : Synonyms

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

VICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Obedient

Stubborn

Helpful

Cooperative

Violent

Correct answer:

Violent

Explanation:

"Vicious" means brutal or "violent." "Helpful" means a person who assists others or is supportive. "Cooperative" means able to work well with others. "Obedient" means compliant or willing to follow the orders or others. "Stubborn" means not willing to change one's viewpoint or course of action.

Example Question #497 : Synonyms

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

INTREPID

Possible Answers:

Susceptible

Poor 

Ingrained 

Timid 

Adventurous 

Correct answer:

Adventurous 

Explanation:

Someone who is "intrepid" is very enterprising and adventurous. For clarification, "timid" means shy and reserved; "ingrained" is something embedded or inbuilt; "susceptible" means vulnerable.

Example Question #498 : Synonyms

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

CONGENIAL

Possible Answers:

Portentous 

Disagreeable

Avaricious

Agreeable

Generous 

Correct answer:

Agreeable

Explanation:

"Congenial" means agreeable or friendly, so "agreeable," which means pleasant or amenable to something, is the correct answer. For clarification, "avaricious" means greedy, "portentous" means self-important or ominous, "generous" means liberal in giving, and "disagreeable" means not agreeable or unpleasant, as one might be able to infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "dis-" and the word "agreeable."

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