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 #491 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Suave

Picky

Discreet

Conspicuous

Deleterious

Correct answer:

Picky

Explanation:

"Pedantic" means "picky," overly fastidious, or narrow minded. "Suave" is a synonym for "sophisticated." "Deleterious" is a synonym for "harmful." "Discreet" is a synonym for "inconspicuous," which is obviously the antonym of "conspicuous."

Example Question #492 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Precarious

Perilous

Wanton

Debased

Modest

Correct answer:

Wanton

Explanation:

"Wanton" is a word that means immoral or "promiscuous" in some contexts. "Perilous" is a synonym for "dangerous." "Precarious" means unsteady or insecure. "Debased" means lowered in value or humiliated. "Modest" means humble or lowly.

Example Question #493 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Outlandish

Garish

Misunderstood

Exceptional

Persistent

Correct answer:

Persistent

Explanation:

"Pertinacious" is a synonym for "persistent" and "tenacious." "Outlandish" means strange or bizarre. "Garish" is a synonym for tawdry or gaudy, and "exceptional" is a synonym for "outstanding." "Understood" and "misunderstood" are antonyms.

Example Question #494 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Adept

Somnolent

Adroit

Philanthropic

Antisocial

Correct answer:

Antisocial

Explanation:

"Misanthropic" means "antisocial" or unfriendly: literally, hating humankind. As you may be able to guess, this is an antonym of "philanthropic," which means charitable and generous. "Adroit" and "adept" both mean skillful. "Somnolent" is a synonym for "sleepy."

Example Question #495 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Garish

Ridiculous

Acerbic

Gregarious

Hermitic

Correct answer:

Hermitic

Explanation:

Someone who is a "recluse" is a hermit, a solitary person. This is an antonym for "gregarious," or outgoing. "Garish" is another word for gaudy, and "acerbic" is another word for "caustic." Another word for "ridiculous" is "ludicrous."

Example Question #496 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Virtuous

Cavalier

Blissful

Wicked

Fanciful

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

The adjective "fiendish" means wicked, devilish and cunning. Additionally, "fanciful" means unrealistic, 'far-fetched'; "virtuous" means good, wholesome, not sinful; "cavalier" means offhand, apathetic towards; "blissful" means very happy, ecstatic.

Example Question #497 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Surreptitious

Ribald

Taciturn

Gifted

Irresolute

Correct answer:

Gifted

Explanation:

The adjective "precocious" means advanced for one's age, especially talented and "gifted." Additionally, "irresolute" means uncertain; "ribald" means vulgar, (of behavior) distasteful; "surreptitious" means secretive, clandestine; "taciturn" means not talkative, prone to silence.

Example Question #498 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Malformed

Malevolent

Misappropriated

Malicious

Maladjusted

Correct answer:

Maladjusted

Explanation:

The adjective "neurotic" is used to describe someone who has many complexes, is suffering from a mental imbalance. This is closest in meaning to "maladjusted" which means poorly adjusted, poorly suited to society. The prefix mal- means bad. So, "malicious" means bad-natured, wicked; "malevolent" also means having an evil nature, wicked; "malformed" means badly formed, incorrectly made; "misappropriated" means to have taken something, like a saying, and used it incorrectly.

Example Question #499 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RAPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Selfless

Slovenly

Aghast

Greedy

Bewildered

Correct answer:

Greedy

Explanation:

The adjective "rapacious" means extremely greedy, aggressively desiring what someone else has. Additionally, "slovenly" means (of a person) messy and lazy; "aghast" means shocked and appalled by; "bewildered" means confused, perplexed, bemused.

Example Question #500 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MUNIFICENT

Possible Answers:

Serene

Juvenile

Talkative

Generous

Torpid

Correct answer:

Generous

Explanation:

The adjective "munificent" is used to describe someone who is generous with money. Additionally, "torpid" means lethargic, inactive; "serene" means tranquil, at peace; "juvenile" means childish.

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