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 #2485 : Synonyms

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

EXCEPTIONAL

Possible Answers:

Prodigious

Reflective

Garrulous

Pungent

Morose

Correct answer:

Prodigious

Explanation:

"Exceptional" means outstanding or brilliant, as does the correct answer, "prodigious." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "exceptional": "garrulous" means talkative, "pungent" means having a strong smell or taste, "morose" means gloomy, and "reflective" means either reflecting light or thoughtful.

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Shallow

Determined 

Unoriginal

Unseemly 

Notorious 

Correct answer:

Unoriginal

Explanation:

“Banal” means unoriginal and boring, so "unoriginal" is the correct answer. For clarification, "unseemly" means unpleasant or undesirable; "determined" means motivated; "shallow" describes someone who is not thinking or feeling deeply; and "notorious" means infamous.

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

VAPID

Possible Answers:

parallel

intriguing

detrimental

curious

insipid

Correct answer:

insipid

Explanation:

“Vapid” is an adjective that means “offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; empty” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not stimulating or challenging.” That means that “intriguing” cannot be the correct answer, because “intriguing” means “arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “vapid.” “Insipid,” however, is an adjective that means either “lacking flavor” or “lacking vigor or interest,” and because “insipid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vapid,” “insipid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

PROSAIC

Possible Answers:

Commonplace 

Legendary

Diction 

Chaotic

Rhetorical

Correct answer:

Commonplace 

Explanation:

“Prosaic” describes something ordinary or commonplace. You might have thought the correct answer is “rhetorical” because of the relationship between “prose” and “rhetoric,” but “prosaic” is unrelated to “prose.” For clarification, "rhetorical" means relating to the skill of persuasive language, and "diction" means spoken clarity or choice of words.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

IMPECCABLE

Possible Answers:

Flawless

Durable

Wet

Normal

Risky

Correct answer:

Flawless

Explanation:

"Impeccable" means faultless or flawless.

Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Boring

Competitive

Agressive

Judgmental

Unbecoming

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Insipid" means lacking flavor or uninteresting. "Boring" means lacking the quality of being interesting. Both "boring" and "insipid" mean mundane or banal. Thus, these two words are synonyms.

Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Sturdy

Confusing

Folded

Rundown

Hairless

Correct answer:

Rundown

Explanation:

Something that is "dilapidated" is worn out, rickety, and rundown.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

CLICHÉD

Possible Answers:

Enormous

Overused

Insightful

Impractical

Derisive

Correct answer:

Overused

Explanation:

Clichéd means overused.

Example Question #48 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

LUXURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Massive

Financial

Vindicated

Reticent

Opulent

Correct answer:

Opulent

Explanation:

Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.

Example Question #2495 : Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Creative

Commonplace

Zesty

Medicinal

Cowardly

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

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