SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2579 : Synonyms

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

ECUMENICAL

Possible Answers:

Germane

Exuberant

Tyrannical

catholic

Irrelevant

Correct answer:

catholic

Explanation:

"Ecumenical" and "catholic" both mean all-encompassing, universal. (Don't confuse catholic with "Catholic," a specific religious denomination.) "Germane" is an antonym for "irrelevant." "Exuberant" means overjoyed, while "tyrannical" means authoritarian and cruel.

Example Question #2580 : Synonyms

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

LAPIDARY

Possible Answers:

Scanty

Inchoate

Smug

Elegant

Multitudinous

Correct answer:

Elegant

Explanation:

"Lapidary" means "elegant," particularly in a way that is concise. (In fact, the word was originally used to describe jewelers' precise and beautiful work with gemstones.) "Smug" means self-satisfied, and "multitudinous" means numerous or prolific. This is an antonym for "scanty," which means scarce. "Inchoate" describes something that is new and not yet fully formed.

Example Question #3331 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

AUTOCHTHONOUS

Possible Answers:

Measly

Despotic

Indigenous

Excessive

Chary

Correct answer:

Indigenous

Explanation:

Something "autochthonous" is native or indigenous to a particular area, the opposite of an "immigrant." "Chary" means cautious, wary. "Despotic" is a synonym for "tyrannical," and "excessive" means too much. "Measly" is another word for paltry or too little.

Example Question #3332 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INTERMINABLE

Possible Answers:

Effervescent

Philanthropic

Erroneous

Fallacious

Unending

Correct answer:

Unending

Explanation:

"Interminable" means ceaseless or long-lasting. "Effervescent" is a synonym for "bubbly," and "charitable" is a synonym for "philanthropic." "Fallacious" and "erroneous" are synonyms that both mean false or mistaken.

Example Question #3331 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

IRKSOME

Possible Answers:

Ill-tempered

Annoying

Secretive

Burnished

Garish

Correct answer:

Annoying

Explanation:

"Irksome" is a synonym for bothersome or irritating. Don't confuse this with "irascible," or ill-tempered. "Secretive" is another word for "furtive, "and "garish" is a synonym for "tawdry." "Burnished" means well-polished and gleaming.

Example Question #3332 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Paltry

Measly

Unequivocal

Erratic

Uninteresting

Correct answer:

Uninteresting

Explanation:

"Insipid" can mean "uninteresting," dull, or unimaginative, such as an "insipid joke." "Unequivocal" means unambiguous, and "erratic" means unpredictable. "Measly" and "paltry" are synonyms for small, insufficient.

Example Question #3333 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INCONGRUOUS

Possible Answers:

Disjunctive

Ailing

Lethargic

Clashing

Torpid

Correct answer:

Clashing

Explanation:

Something "incongruous" is unsuited, "clashing," or out of place. Don't confuse "incongruous" with "languorous," which means lethargic, tired, or torpid. "Ailing" means ill or sickly. "Disjunctive" means disconnected.

Example Question #3341 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

EXPOSITORY

Possible Answers:

Forbidding

Adulterated

Explanatory

Laudatory

Gravid

Correct answer:

Explanatory

Explanation:

"Expository" writing, for example, is writing intended to explain or explicate. "Laudatory" is a synonym for "complimentary" or congratulatory. "Forbidding" means threatening, while "adulterated" means contaminated. "Gravid" is a synonym for "pregnant."

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

ANTIQUATED

Possible Answers:

Despised

Troubled

Outdated

Unmanageable

Ghastly

Correct answer:

Outdated

Explanation:

If something is "antiquated," it is old-fashioned or out of date.

The 200 year old house’s antiquated heating system still used coal as its fuel source.

So "outdated" is the best answer.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

SEVERE

Possible Answers:

Misguided

Cut

Rude

Short

Harsh

Correct answer:

Harsh

Explanation:

"Severe" means extreme or harsh. Hmm, guess that gave it away..."harsh" is the best answer choice.

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