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 #1423 : Synonyms

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

DAUNTING

Possible Answers:

Bothersome

Calibrating

Pensive

Wavering

Intimidating

Correct answer:

Intimidating

Explanation:

Daunting means seemingly difficult or intimidating.

Example Question #1424 : Synonyms

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Obsessive 

Doubtful

Peaceful

Powerful

Blotchy

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

Potent means powerful.  

Example Question #631 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ELEMENTARY

Possible Answers:

Fraudulent

Desiccated

Bungling

Fundamental

Advanced

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

“Elementary” is an adjective that can mean “of or relating to the most rudimentary aspects of a subject,” “easily dealt with; straightforward and uncomplicated,” or “not decomposable into elements or other primary constituents.” We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “simple.” That means that “advanced” cannot be the correct answer, because “advanced” means “far on or ahead in development,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “elementary.” “Fundamental,” however, is an adjective that can mean “forming a necessary base or core; of central importance” or “so basic as to be hard to alter, resolve, or overcome,” and because “fundamental” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “elementary,” “fundamental” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1426 : Synonyms

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

ARDUOUS

Possible Answers:

Difficult

Hairy

Bearable

Bold

Shifty

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Arduous" means "difficult" or requiring a lot of energy.  

Example Question #1427 : Synonyms

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

CONCISE.

Possible Answers:

Pulchritudinous

Inclusive

Replete

Demanding 

Succinct 

Correct answer:

Succinct 

Explanation:

“Concise” means brief and to the point and is therefore closest in meaning to “succinct.” Succinct describes something expressed with brevity and clarity, brief, and to the point. For clarification, replete means filled-up, overflowing; pulchritudinous means very beautiful.

Example Question #1428 : Synonyms

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

TERSE

Possible Answers:

Lengthy

Challenging

Itinerant

Abrupt

Previous

Correct answer:

Abrupt

Explanation:

"Terse" means not using many words, or "abrupt."

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

SUCCINCT

Possible Answers:

Converse

Argumentative

Sweet

Concise

Helpful

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Succinct" means expressed clearly and concisely, so "concise" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PROLIX

Possible Answers:

Tasteful

Forthcoming

Linguistic

Merry

Verbose

Correct answer:

Verbose

Explanation:

"Prolix" means using too many words, or verbose.

Example Question #632 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MONOLITHIC

Possible Answers:

Diminutive

Bossy

Colossal

Extant

Natural

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

“Monolithic” is an adjective that can mean extremely large, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like large. That means that “diminutive” cannot be the correct answer, because “diminutive” means very small when used as an adjective, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “monolithic.” “Colossal,” however, is an adjective that means very big, and because “colossal” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “monolithic,” “colossal” is the correct answer.

Example Question #633 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Pathetic

Agile

Burnt

Concise

Scathing

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Pithy" means brief and full of meaning.

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