SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

LAVISH

Possible Answers:

Comfortable

Arid

Frigid

Luxurious

Deafening

Correct answer:

Luxurious

Explanation:

"Lavish" means rich or fancy, so "luxurious," an adjective that means suptuous or grand, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "lavish": "comfortable" means relaxing, agreeable, or cozy; "frigid" means extremely cold; "arid" means extremey dry; and "deafening" means very loud.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

QUAINT

Possible Answers:

Putrid

Old-fashioned

Timid

Negligent

Compassionate

Correct answer:

Old-fashioned

Explanation:

"Quaint" means old-fashioned and charming. "Putrid" means decayed or rotten. "Negligent" means not cautious or careless. "Compassionate" means sympathetic or showing emotion and concern for others. "Timid" means shy and easily scared

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

WINDING

Possible Answers:

Wordy

Juvenile

Olfactory

Twisted

Unique

Correct answer:

Twisted

Explanation:

"Winding" refers to a twisted or spiral course or path. "Unique" means rare or one-of-a-kind. "Wordy" means the overuse of words. "Olfactory" refers to a sense of smell. "Juvenile" means young and immature.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SUPPLE

Possible Answers:

Savage

Inflexible

Innocuous

Limber

Vulgar

Correct answer:

Limber

Explanation:

"Supple" means "limber" or flexible. "Inflexible" is an antonym of "supple"; it means stiff or not able to be bent. "Vulgar" means tasteless or unrefined. "Innocuous" means harmless. "Savage" means wild or ferocious.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MACABRE

Possible Answers:

Panicked

Gruesome

Understated

Protective

Methodical

Correct answer:

Gruesome

Explanation:

“Macabre” means gruesome, horrifying, or pertaining to death, so "gruesome" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “macabre”. “Understated” means modest or simple. “Protective” means defensive or shielding. “Panicked” means frightened. “Methodical” means systematic. 

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SCINTILLATING

Possible Answers:

Sparkling

Luxurious

Maximum

Forbidden

Boring

Correct answer:

Sparkling

Explanation:

"Scintillating" means emitting small amounts of light. "Sparkling," which also means emitting bits of light, is therefore the correct answer. The other answers do not have similar meanings: "luxurious" means comfortable and expensive; "forbidden" means prohibited; "maximum" means most or highest; and "boring" means dull.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FRIGID

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Cold

Sparse

Silent

Emotional

Correct answer:

Cold

Explanation:

"Frigid" means very cold, so "cold" is the correct answer. The other choices have nothing to do with "cold": "silent" means not making noise, "emotional" means showing emotion, "sparse" means infrequent or few, and "wealthy" means having lots of money.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OBTRUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Conspicuous

Indecisive

Traumatic

Leftover

Welcome

Correct answer:

Conspicuous

Explanation:

"Obtrusive" means noticeable, in an unwanted way. The correct answer "conspicuous" also means very noticeable. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "welcome" means invited, "indecisive" means unable to make a decision, "traumatic" means very difficult and unpleasant, and "leftover" means remaining after a meal or an event.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Gauzy

Webbed

Sturdy

Ominous

Frangible

Correct answer:

Gauzy

Explanation:

"Diaphanous" is an adjective that often is used to describe fabrics, and means delicate and not completely opaque. So, the answer choices closest in meaning to "diaphanous" are "gauzy" and "frangible." While "frangible" means easily breakable, "gauzy" means thin and not completely opaque. Since "gauzy" is the closest synonym of "diaphanous" amongst the possible answer choices, it is the correct answer.

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

LITHE

Possible Answers:

Dull 

Noble 

Portly 

Graceful 

Cantankerous 

Correct answer:

Graceful 

Explanation:

“Lithe” means flexible and/or graceful, so "graceful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "portly" means fat, and "cantankerous" means bad-tempered.

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