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 #1238 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

EXTEMPORANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Inane

Contemporary

Impromptu

Rehearsed

Fatuous

Correct answer:

Impromptu

Explanation:

"Extemporaneous" means unrehearsed, "impromptu." This is an antonym for "rehearsed." "Contemporary" means current or occurring at the same time as something else. "Fatuous" means silly, stupid, or inane.

Example Question #1239 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

THWARTED

Possible Answers:

Sluggish

Tangential

Foiled

Nascent

Aromatic

Correct answer:

Foiled

Explanation:

To "thwart" a plan is to foil or ruin it. "Sluggish" means lethargic or listless. "Aromatic" is a synonym for "fragrant," and "nascent" is a synonym for "new," not fully formed. Another word for "tangential" is peripheral.

Example Question #1240 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

REPREHENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Arcane

Detestable

Frigid

Jejune

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

Something "reprehensible" is loathsome or "detestable." "Frigid" means very cold, and "jejune" means dull or uninteresting. "Arcane" and "abstruse" are both synonyms for "esoteric."

Example Question #2551 : Synonyms

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

PEJORATIVE

Possible Answers:

Baronial

Extemporaneous

Defamatory

Ephemeral

Elusive

Correct answer:

Defamatory

Explanation:

Something "pejorative" is negative, "defamatory," deprecatory. "Baronial" means grand and stately. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "short-lived" or fleeting. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "improvised." "Elusive" means difficult to catch or find.

Example Question #2552 : Synonyms

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

MANIFOLD

Possible Answers:

Ebullient

Venal

Incumbent

Nominal

Sundry

Correct answer:

Sundry

Explanation:

The adjective "manifold" means diverse, containing a lot of variety. This is closest in definition to "sundry" which means of several distinct kinds, of several varieties. Additionally, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done, required; "venal" means corrupt and wicked; "nominal" means insignificant, of little importance.

Example Question #2561 : Synonyms

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

PLEONASTIC

Possible Answers:

Heinous

Wordy

Exotic

Specious

Quirky

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

"Pleonastic" means overly "wordy," verbose. "Heinous" is a synonym for "atrocious," and "specious" is a synonym for "misleadingly plausible." "Quirky" means idiosyncratic or strange, and "exotic" means foreign or strange.

Example Question #2562 : Synonyms

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

SUBLIMINAL

Possible Answers:

Exorbitant

Outlandish

Medical

Borderline

Subconscious

Correct answer:

Subconscious

Explanation:

"Subliminal" means subconscious, beneath the surface of the working mind. "Borderline" means on the edges, peripheral. "Outlandish" means bizarre and weird. "Exorbitant" is a synonym for "excessive," and "medical" is the adjective form of "medicine."

Example Question #2563 : Synonyms

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

AILING

Possible Answers:

Ill

Treasonous

Penniless

Subversive

Repellent

Correct answer:

Ill

Explanation:

"Ailing" means "ill," in poor health. "Treasonous" is a synonym for "treacherous." "Repellent" is a synonym for "disgusting" or revolting. "Subversive" means rebellious or intended to overthrow a government. "Penniless" is another word for "impoverished."

Example Question #2564 : Synonyms

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

FORESTALLED

Possible Answers:

Commodious

Failed

Nautical

Preempted

Elderly

Correct answer:

Preempted

Explanation:

To "forestall" something is to preempt or prevent it. This is different from outright failure, so "forestalled" and "failed" are not synonyms. Another word for "elderly" is geriatric, and another word for "nautical" is maritime. "Commodious" means capacious or spacious.

Example Question #2565 : Synonyms

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

PROTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Onerous

Saccharine

Prolonged

Ephemeral

Nescient

Correct answer:

Prolonged

Explanation:

"Protracted" means "prolonged," drawn out. This is an antonym for "ephemeral," which means short-lived and fleeting. While something "protracted" may also be "onerous," or difficult and burdensome, the two are not necessarily synonyms. "Nescient" is another work for ignorant or unaware. "Saccharine" means overly sweet (either literally or figuratively) or sentimental.

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