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 #1484 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Nomadic

Laconic

Propitious

Auspicious

Ancient

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" means "ancient" and primitive. "Ribald" means rude, irreverent. "Propitious" and "auspicious" both mean favorable. "Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" and "pithy." "Nomadic" means wandering from place to place.

Example Question #1485 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Gauche

Adroit

Maritime

Refined

Unisex

Correct answer:

Unisex

Explanation:

"Androgynous" means "unisex" or having characteristics of both the male and female genders. "Gauche" means tasteless or inelegant, which is an antonym for "refined." "Adroit" means skillful and adept. "Maritime" is a synonym for "nautical."

Example Question #1486 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Salutary

Verbose

Vicarious

Unethical

Pleonastic

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Unconscionable" means indefensible, immoral, and "unethical." "Pleonastic" and "verbose" both mean excessively wordy. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," and "salutary" means very healthful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

Possible Answers:

calmly

truthfully

passionately

rapidly

reluctantly

Correct answer:

passionately

Explanation:

"Vehemently" means with strong feeling or passion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MERELY

Possible Answers:

disappointing

trifling

solely

politely

maliciously

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

"Merely" is an adverb meaning just, only, or solely.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ROUNDLY

Possible Answers:

Falsely

Openly

Emphatically

Cheerfully

Marginally

Correct answer:

Emphatically

Explanation:

"Roundly" means done in an emphatic or vehement way.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

VICIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Vicinity

Ferociously

Visibly

Heart-rending

Invincible

Correct answer:

Ferociously

Explanation:

"Viciously" and "ferociously" are synonymous adverbs describing a savage, violent or destructive way of performing an action, attacking viciously, for example. The other words do not share this meaning. In fact, some of the other answer choices are not even adverbs. 

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

THOUGHTFULLY

Possible Answers:

Hurriedly

Ferociously

Frantically

Viciously

Pensively

Correct answer:

Pensively

Explanation:

"Thoughtfully" and "pensively" are synonymous adverbs referring to doing something in a considered and intelligent manner. The other words do not have related meanings. In fact, they have meaning that are opposite to "thoughtfully."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ELUSIVELY

Possible Answers:

Immediately

Despairingly

Mysteriously

Skillfully

Evasively

Correct answer:

Evasively

Explanation:

"Elusive" and "evasive" are synonyms meaning difficult to catch. "Despairing" means hopeless, and "mysterious" means difficult or impossible to explain. "Skillful" means expert or accomplished. "Immediate" means instantaneous.

Example Question #1493 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRESENTLY

Possible Answers:

Generously

Recently

Urgently

Exotically

Soon

Correct answer:

Soon

Explanation:

"Presently" can mean currently, but it can also mean directly or soon. Although the word does express a time relationship, it does not mean "recently." "Exotic" means foreign, and "generous" means giving. "Urgent" means dire or pressing.

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