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 #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

EXPERTLY

Possible Answers:

Pretentiously

Presently

Skillfully

Extremely

Cleverly

Correct answer:

Skillfully

Explanation:

"Expert" means skilled or skillful. While an "expert" may be "clever," the two words are not synonymous. "Pretentious" means pretending to be more important or cultured than one actually is. "Presently" means soon or currently. "Very" and "extremely" are synonyms.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

BELLIGERENTLY

Possible Answers:

Damply

Drably

Punishingly

Aggressive

Stickily

Correct answer:

Aggressive

Explanation:

"Belligerent" means aggressive and hostile. "Punishing" means arduous, demanding, or taxing. "Damp" and "dry" are antonyms, and "drab" and "colorful" are antonyms. "Sticky" means gluey.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

GROTESQUELY

Possible Answers:

Amenably

Wickedly

Treacherous

Faithfully

Gruesomely

Correct answer:

Gruesomely

Explanation:

"Grotesque" means gruesome or disfigured. "Amenable" means cooperative. "Wicked" means sinful or evil. "Treacherous" means traitorous or disloyal, which is the opposite of "faithful."

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

VICARIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Alertly

Dubiously

Capably

Indirectly

Contemplatively

Correct answer:

Indirectly

Explanation:

Something "vicarious" is indirect or secondhand. "Dubious" means doubtful. "Alert" means vigilant. "Capable" and "incapable" are antonyms, as are "contemplatively" and "thoughtlessly."

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

CRUCIALLY

Possible Answers:

Sarcastically

Tidily

Cynically

Messily

Imperatively

Correct answer:

Imperatively

Explanation:

"Crucial" and "imperative" both mean very important. "Sarcastic" means ironic. Someone who is "cynical" tends to believe the worse about people and situations. "Messy" and "tidy" are antonyms.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

PLASTICALLY

Possible Answers:

Malleably

Immediately

Entertainingly

Plausibly

Boringly

Correct answer:

Malleably

Explanation:

"Plastic" and "malleable" both mean pliable. "Plausible" means credible, and "immediate" means instantaneous. "Entertaining" and "boring" are antonyms.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ELLIPTICALLY

Possible Answers:

Stingily

Lucidly

Humorously

Incomprehensibly

Magnanimously

Correct answer:

Incomprehensibly

Explanation:

Something "elliptical" is incomprehensible, unclear, and impossible to understand. This is the opposite of "lucid," or "clear." "Magnanimous" means generous, which is the opposite of "stingy." "Humorous" means funny.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ESOTERIC

Possible Answers:

Immaturely

Abstruse

Pungently

Enviously

Meekly

Correct answer:

Abstruse

Explanation:

"Esoteric" and "abstruse" both mean obscure and difficult to understand. "Envious" means jealous, and "pungent" means strong smelling. "Immature" means juvenile. "Meek" means timid.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

CIRCUITOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Delectably

Directly

Murderously

Tortuously

Incredibly

Correct answer:

Tortuously

Explanation:

"Circuitous" and "tortuous" both mean twisted or roundabout. They are antonyms of "direct." "Murderous" means homicidal, and "delectable" means delicious. "Incredible" means unbelievable.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

CLOUDILY

Possible Answers:

Opaquely

Eccentrically

Transparently

Slyly

Sympathetically

Correct answer:

Opaquely

Explanation:

"Cloudy" and "opaque" both mean nontransparent, which is the antonym of "transparent." "Sympathetic" and "empathetic" are loose synonyms, and "sly" means sneaky. "Eccentric" means zany or idiosyncratic.

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