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 #131 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RECALCITRANT

Possible Answers:

Disobedient 

Lazy 

Loyal 

Jubilant 

Hardworking

Correct answer:

Disobedient 

Explanation:

“Recalcitrant” is an adjective used to describe someone’s disobedience or stubborn resistance. Note that “jubilant” means very happy.

Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

JAUNTY

Possible Answers:

Broken

Macabre

Colorful

Provocative

Lively

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

Jaunty means cheerful, confident, and lively.

Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CHARISMATIC

Possible Answers:

Intellectual

Shabby

Regulated

Magnetic

Whimsical

Correct answer:

Magnetic

Explanation:

Charismatic describes a person who is charming, compelling, or has a magnetic personality.

Example Question #134 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

SARDONIC

Possible Answers:

Hopeful

Supportive

Scornful

Physical

Emotional

Correct answer:

Scornful

Explanation:

“Sardonic” is an adjective that means “grimly mocking or cynical,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cynical.” That means that “supportive” cannot be the correct answer, because “supportive” means “providing encouragement or emotional help,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “sardonic.” “Scornful,” however, is an adjective that means “feeling or expressing contempt or derision,” and because “scornful” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “sardonic,” “scornful” is the correct answer.

Example Question #135 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRESCIENT

Possible Answers:

Oblivious

Measured

Forgetful

Clairvoyant

Crucial

Correct answer:

Clairvoyant

Explanation:

“Prescient” is an adjective that means “having or showing knowledge of events before they take place,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “having foreknowledge of events.” That means that “Oblivious” cannot be the correct answer, because “oblivious” means “not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one,” a meaning quite distant from that of “prescient.” “Clairvoyant,” however, when used as an adjective, means “having or exhibiting an ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact,” and because “clairvoyant” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “prescient,” “clairvoyant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #136 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

INSULAR

Possible Answers:

Sordid

Tolerant

Worried

Narrow-minded

Presumptuous

Correct answer:

Narrow-minded

Explanation:

“Insular” is an adjective that can mean “ignorant of cultures, ideas, or peoples other than one's own,” or “lacking contact; isolated” or “relating to islands.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ignorant of other cultures, ideas,” “lacking contact with other people, or “of an island.” That means that “tolerant” cannot be the correct answer, because “tolerant” means “showing willingness to allow the existence of other opinions,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “insular.” “Narrow-minded,” however, is an adjective that can mean “prejudiced,” and because “narrow-minded” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “insular,” “narrow-minded” is the correct answer.

Example Question #137 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DISINGENUOUS

Possible Answers:

Mobile

Duplicitous

Genuine

Dreary

Inveterate

Correct answer:

Duplicitous

Explanation:

“Disingenuous” is an adjective that means “not candid or sincere,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not sincere.” That means that “genuine” cannot be the correct answer, because “genuine” means “sincere” when referring to a person, emotion, or action, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “disingenuous.” “Duplicitous,” however, is an adjective that means “deceitful,” and because “duplicitous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “disingenuous,” “duplicitous” is the correct answer.

Example Question #138 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Plucky

Quiet

Dreary

Timid

Proud

Correct answer:

Timid

Explanation:

“Craven” is an adjective that means “cowardly,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cowardly.” That means that “plucky” cannot be the correct answer, because “plucky” means “courage in the face of difficulties,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “craven.” “Timid,” however, is an adjective that means “showing a lack of courage or confidence,” and because “timid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “craven,” “timid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #361 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Poetic

Enriching

Disobedient

Frequent

Hydrating

Correct answer:

Disobedient

Explanation:

"Unruly" means disobedient or uncontrollable.

Example Question #362 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Idealistic

Floral

Narrow Minded

Complex

Sharp

Correct answer:

Sharp

Explanation:

"Keen" means sharp or very perceptive.

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