SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1446 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

COLOSSAL

Possible Answers:

volatile

stately

gigantic

melancholic

floating

Correct answer:

gigantic

Explanation:

"Colossal" means extremely large, or gigantic.

Example Question #653 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

DIMINUITIVE

Possible Answers:

perfected

cantankerous

tiny

insulting

sultry

Correct answer:

tiny

Explanation:

"Diminuitive" means extremely small, or tiny.

Example Question #2201 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

UNILATERAL

Possible Answers:

Rhetorical

Controversial

Persuasive

Independent

Forceful

Correct answer:

Independent

Explanation:

If an action or decision is unilateral, it only affects one individual and not the others in the group. It is therefore independent.

Example Question #2202 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

COLLOQUIAL

Possible Answers:

Talk

Formal

Common

Local

Silly

Correct answer:

Common

Explanation:

Something that is "colloquial" is common in nature. "Common" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "colloquial." Though the word "colloquial" usually refers to common or everyday speech (as opposed to formal language), it can refer to anything informal as well.

Example Question #2203 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Uncharacteristic

Welcome 

Terse 

Mediocre 

Unfortunate

Correct answer:

Terse 

Explanation:

“Pithy” means brief and to the point and is most similar in meaning to “terse.” For clarification, mediocre means average, ordinary.

Example Question #2204 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

SUBSERVIENT

Possible Answers:

Acquiescent

Impoverished 

Asinine

Intellectual 

Appropriate

Correct answer:

Acquiescent

Explanation:

“Subservient” means eager to obey, inherently submissive. Of the five answer choices, this is most similar in meaning to acquiescent, which means compliant, eager to obey. For clarification, asinine means silly or foolish.

Example Question #2205 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

UNILATERAL

Possible Answers:

Bilateral

Entitled

Latitudinal

One-sided

Untitled

Correct answer:

One-sided

Explanation:

"Unilateral" and "one-sided" are synonymous adjectives. The other words share some roots (namely lat- or side) but their meanings do not align with the word unilateral.

Example Question #2206 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

DISMAL

Possible Answers:

Arid

Sterile

Dry

Bleak

Clean

Correct answer:

Bleak

Explanation:

"Dismal" and "bleak" are synonyms referring to a state of being inhospitable and dark (in all senses). Their meanings obviously have a negative connotation. "Clean" and "sterile" have definitions related to the idea of being free from dirt, mess, or (in the case of "sterile") germs. "Arid" and "dry" refer to areas that lack water

Example Question #2207 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

EXOTIC

Possible Answers:

Foreign

Merciful

Intolerable

Reckless

Domestic

Correct answer:

Foreign

Explanation:

Something "exotic" is strange or foreign. This is the opposite of "domestic." "Reckless" and "risky" are synonyms, as are "intolerable" and "insufferable." "Merciful" means compassionate and forgiving.

Example Question #2208 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INEBRIATED

Possible Answers:

Militant

Quarrelsome

Circuitous

Pessimistic

Intoxicated

Correct answer:

Intoxicated

Explanation:

"Inebriated" means drunk or intoxicated. "Quarrelsome" means argumentative, which is also a synonym for "antagonistic." "Pessimistic" and "optimistic" are antonyms, as are "direct" and "circuitous." "Militant" means fanatical, overly zealous.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors