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 #2201 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

COLOSSAL

Possible Answers:

volatile

melancholic

stately

gigantic

floating

Correct answer:

gigantic

Explanation:

"Colossal" means extremely large, or gigantic.

Example Question #2202 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

DIMINUITIVE

Possible Answers:

tiny

perfected

cantankerous

insulting

sultry

Correct answer:

tiny

Explanation:

"Diminuitive" means extremely small, or tiny.

Example Question #1403 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNILATERAL

Possible Answers:

Independent

Rhetorical

Persuasive

Forceful

Controversial

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 #1404 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COLLOQUIAL

Possible Answers:

Silly

Common

Talk

Local

Formal

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 #1405 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Welcome 

Unfortunate

Mediocre 

Terse 

Uncharacteristic

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 #1406 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUBSERVIENT

Possible Answers:

Intellectual 

Asinine

Impoverished 

Acquiescent

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 #1407 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNILATERAL

Possible Answers:

One-sided

Bilateral

Entitled

Latitudinal

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 #1411 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISMAL

Possible Answers:

Clean

Dry

Arid

Sterile

Bleak

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 #1412 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXOTIC

Possible Answers:

Merciful

Domestic

Reckless

Intolerable

Foreign

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 #1413 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INEBRIATED

Possible Answers:

Circuitous

Quarrelsome

Intoxicated

Militant

Pessimistic

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.

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