All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2481 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXCEPTIONAL
Pungent
Reflective
Morose
Garrulous
Prodigious
Prodigious
"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
Notorious
Shallow
Unoriginal
Determined
Unseemly
Unoriginal
“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 #2482 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VAPID
detrimental
intriguing
curious
parallel
insipid
insipid
“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 #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROSAIC
Rhetorical
Diction
Legendary
Chaotic
Commonplace
Commonplace
“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
Normal
Durable
Wet
Risky
Flawless
Flawless
"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
Boring
Unbecoming
Judgmental
Competitive
Agressive
Boring
"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
Rundown
Confusing
Hairless
Sturdy
Folded
Rundown
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
Derisive
Insightful
Overused
Impractical
Enormous
Overused
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
Vindicated
Financial
Opulent
Massive
Reticent
Opulent
Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.
Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BANAL
Medicinal
Cowardly
Commonplace
Creative
Zesty
Commonplace
"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
