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 #1114 : Identifying Synonyms

SARDONIC

Possible Answers:

Physical

Supportive

Scornful

Emotional

Hopeful

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 #1911 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRESCIENT

Possible Answers:

Forgetful

Clairvoyant

Measured

Oblivious

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 #1912 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSULAR

Possible Answers:

Tolerant

Narrow-minded

Sordid

Worried

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 #1913 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

DISINGENUOUS

Possible Answers:

Duplicitous

Genuine

Mobile

Inveterate

Dreary

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 #1914 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Timid

Dreary

Quiet

Plucky

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 #1119 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Disobedient

Frequent

Enriching

Hydrating

Poetic

Correct answer:

Disobedient

Explanation:

"Unruly" means disobedient or uncontrollable.

Example Question #1120 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Sharp

Floral

Complex

Narrow Minded

Idealistic

Correct answer:

Sharp

Explanation:

"Keen" means sharp or very perceptive.

Example Question #1121 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SAGE

Possible Answers:

Coarse

Wise

Vacant

Slick

Expansive

Correct answer:

Wise

Explanation:

"Sage" means wise.

Example Question #1121 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INEPT

Possible Answers:

Corrupt

Defined

Expressive

Dishonest

Unskillful

Correct answer:

Unskillful

Explanation:

"Inept" means without skill or incompetent.

Example Question #1122 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONTEMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Famous

Disrespectful

Daring

Useful

Comical

Correct answer:

Disrespectful

Explanation:

"Contemptuous" means disrespectful.

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