SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PANGLOSSIAN

Possible Answers:

Careless

Smug

Despondent

Optimistic

Fallacious

Correct answer:

Optimistic

Explanation:

"Panglossian," taken from a novel by Voltaire, is a synonym for "overly optimistic." "Careless" is a synonym for "inattentive" or even reckless. "Despondent" means despairing, and "fallacious" means fictitious or erroneous. "Smug" means self-satisfied.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

CHOLERIC

Possible Answers:

Ravenous

Musical

Prideful

Irritable

Frenzied

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

"Choleric" means "irritable," ill-tempered, or irascible. "Ravenous" means starving, voracious. "Prideful" is a synonym for "proud" or disdainful, depending on the context. "Musical" is, of course, the adjective form of "music" and often describes someone with talent at music. "Frenzied" is a synonym for "hurried," frantic, or frenetic.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PRURIENT

Possible Answers:

Ebullient

Speculative

Joyful

Lustful

Ravenous

Correct answer:

Lustful

Explanation:

"Prurient" means "lustful," salacious. "Ravenous" means hungry, voracious. "Speculative" is another word for conjectural. "Ebullient" means joyful or exultant.

Example Question #95 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

ADAMANT

Possible Answers:

Flustered

Anxious

Grim

Insistent

Doleful

Correct answer:

Insistent

Explanation:

"Adamant" means inflexible, unwavering, or "insistent." "Flustered" means agitated or unsettled, and "anxious" means nervous. "Grim" means stern, forbidding, or ghastly. "Doleful" is another word for "disconsolate."

Example Question #96 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

RUEFUL

Possible Answers:

Spurious

Dubious

Wintry

Stingy

Regretful

Correct answer:

Regretful

Explanation:

"Rue" is regret and contrition, but often with a slightly amusing tinge. "Dubious" means doubtful. "Spurious" means false or fictitious. "Wintry" is the adjective form or "winter" and is usually a synonym for cold and snowy. "Stingy" means miserly, cheap.

Example Question #97 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

VOCIFEROUS

Possible Answers:

Gravid

Lucid

Clamorous

Imperturbable

Effervescent

Correct answer:

Clamorous

Explanation:

"Vociferous" means "clamorous," vocal, and vehement. "Imperturbable" is another word for unflappable, unable to be upset. "Lucid" means clear, and "gravid" means pregnant or swollen. "Effervescent" is bubbly.

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

EFFUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Fastidious

Quiescent

Timorous

Debonair

Fulsome

Correct answer:

Fulsome

Explanation:

The adjective "effusive" means unrestrained or excessively enthusiastic in praise of something. This is closest in meaning to "fulsome" which means excessively complimentary. Additionally, "quiescent" means at rest, inactive; "debonair" means charming and sophisticated; "timorous" means easily scared and shy; "fastidious" means hard to please, overly concerned with details, meticulous.

Example Question #99 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DISPASSIONATE 

Possible Answers:

Angry

Envious

Calm

Frightened

Sad

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

The adjective "dispassionate" means not emotional, not passionate, not feeling strong emotions. This is closest in meaning to "calm." Other synonyms for "dispassionate" include "unruffled," "composed," and "impassive."

Example Question #100 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

SALACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Libidinous

Prudish

Proper

Subdued

Energetic

Correct answer:

Libidinous

Explanation:

"Salacious" means lewd, "libidinous," or obscene. This is an antonym for "proper" and "prudish." "Subdued" means somber, downcast. "Energetic" means high-spirited and full of energy.

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

HANGDOG

Possible Answers:

Broke

Shamefaced

Criminal

Abject

Indulgent

Correct answer:

Shamefaced

Explanation:

"Hangdog" means shamefaced, "abashed," or "ashamed" and often describes a person's facial expression. "Broke" means temporarily or currently short on money, and "criminal" as an adjective means inclined to commit or having already committed crime. "Abject" means craven, miserable. "Indulgent" means lenient, generous, or softhearted.

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