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 #1861 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Expensive

Dignified

Snobbish

Cyclic

Attractive

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

"Haughty" is an adjective that means disdainful, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disdainful." While "dignified" may seem like a potentially correct answer choice, "dignified" means serious and stately, not disdainful, so "dignified" cannot be the correct answer. "Snobbish," however, is an adjective that means pretentious and disdainful. Because "snobbish" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "haughty," "snobbish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1103 : Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Abundant

Fast

Changeable

Cunning

Candid

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

"Wily" means shrewd and clever, or "cunning."

Example Question #1862 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Reckless

Brave

Militant

Itchy

Cautious

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

Someone who is brash is reckless or heedless of danger, so "reckless" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1067 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Bashful 

Rude 

Satirical 

Nostalgic 

Poor

Correct answer:

Rude 

Explanation:

Someone who is “insolent” is disrespectful and rude. For clarification, "bashful" means easily embarrassed; "nostalgic" means fondly remembering past events; and "satirical" means ironic and sarcastic.

Example Question #1068 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Elusive 

Condescending

Profound 

Daft 

Crazy 

Correct answer:

Condescending

Explanation:

“Supercilious” means condescending, or rude and arrogant. For clarification, elusive refers to something that is hard to capture or detect; profound means deep and meaningful; daft means foolish or silly.

Example Question #1863 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Considerable

Compassionate

Heartless

Annoyed

Elegant

Correct answer:

Heartless

Explanation:

While both "heartless" and "annoyed" may seem like potential synonyms for "callous," "callous" is an adjective meaning "showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others," so "heartless" is the best answer, because its meaning is closer to "callous" than that of "annoyed" is.

Example Question #1864 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Fleeting

Slack

Obtuse

Careful

Diligent

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Prudent" means careful or cautious.

Example Question #1865 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Disgusting

Ugly

Rude

Lonely

Crude

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Insolent" means exhibiting disrespectful behavior or speech. "Rude" means showing a lack of politeness. Given that politeness is a sign of respect, "insolent" and "rude" are very close in meaning. They are therefore synonyms.

Example Question #1866 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

SUPERCILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Doubtful

Suspicious

Scornful 

Serious

Agitated

Correct answer:

Scornful 

Explanation:

"Supercilious" means looking down on others, or haughty. To be "scornful" means seeing others as being of less value than oneself. These two words are very similar in meaning and therefore synonyms. The other answer choices are unrelated.

Example Question #1867 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRODIGAL

Possible Answers:

Coincidental 

Foreseen

Disciplined

Imprudent

Unruly

Correct answer:

Imprudent

Explanation:

"Prodigal" means spending money in a carefree and reckless way. Thus, "imprudent" (which means not prudent or not careful or wise with one's resources) is the best synonym. (e.g. "The prodigal daughter bought whatever her heart desired, knowing that her relatives would continue to fund her spending habits.")

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