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:

Reflective

Garrulous

Pungent

Morose

Prodigious

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 #2486 : Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Notorious 

Unoriginal

Determined 

Shallow

Unseemly 

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 #2487 : Synonyms

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

VAPID

Possible Answers:

parallel

intriguing

curious

insipid

detrimental

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 #2488 : Synonyms

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

PROSAIC

Possible Answers:

Commonplace 

Chaotic

Diction 

Legendary

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 #2489 : Synonyms

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

IMPECCABLE

Possible Answers:

Risky

Wet

Durable

Flawless

Normal

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:

Unbecoming

Competitive

Agressive

Boring

Judgmental

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:

Confusing

Folded

Sturdy

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:

Derisive

Impractical

Overused

Enormous

Insightful

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

Reticent

Vindicated

Opulent

Correct answer:

Opulent

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Medicinal

Creative

Zesty

Commonplace

Cowardly

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

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