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 #1244 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Somnolent

Adept

Antisocial

Adroit

Philanthropic

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 #1245 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Gregarious

Hermitic

Garish

Ridiculous

Acerbic

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 #1241 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Fanciful

Wicked

Virtuous

Blissful

Cavalier

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 #267 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Gifted

Ribald

Irresolute

Surreptitious

Taciturn

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 #261 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Malevolent

Malicious

Maladjusted

Malformed

Misappropriated

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 #271 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RAPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Greedy

Slovenly

Aghast

Bewildered

Selfless

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 #272 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MUNIFICENT

Possible Answers:

Talkative

Generous

Juvenile

Serene

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.

Example Question #273 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

EREMITIC

Possible Answers:

Solitary

Depraved

Genial

Impartial

Cordial

Correct answer:

Solitary

Explanation:

"Eremitic" means "solitary," reclusive, or hermit-like. "Genial" means personable, affable, as does "cordial." "Impartial" is a synonym for "unbiased." "Depraved" is a synonym for "corrupt" or dissolute.

Example Question #271 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

OBDURATE

Possible Answers:

Pliant

Profligate

Surreptitious

Stubborn

Compliant

Correct answer:

Stubborn

Explanation:

"Obdurate" is another word for "stubborn," inflexible, or intransigent. This is an antonym for "compliant," or obedient. "Pliant" similarly means pliable, flexible, or elastic. "Profligate" means wasteful or spendthrift. "Surreptitious" means sly, sneaky.

Example Question #272 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Erudite

Garish

Succinct

Enigmatic

Brazen

Correct answer:

Brazen

Explanation:

To be "presumptuous" is to be bold and "brazen." "Enigmatic" means mysterious, and "erudite" means scholarly. "Succinct" means terse, concise, laconic. "Garish" is another word for "tawdry" or gaudy.

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