SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #489 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COMPLAISANT

Possible Answers:

Potent

Thorough

Self-satisfied

Amenable

Self-evident

Correct answer:

Amenable

Explanation:

"Complaisant" means willing to do things, pleasant, and "amenable." Be careful not to confuse this with "complacent," which means overly satisfied with oneself. "Potent" means powerful. Something "thorough" is in-depth, rigorous, and exhaustive.

Example Question #490 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ABSTEMIOUS

Possible Answers:

Bombastic

Pugnacious

Grandiloquent

Circumspect

Temperate

Correct answer:

Temperate

Explanation:

"Abstemious" is the adjective form of the verb "abstain" and denotes temperance and moderation. "Circumspect" is a synonym for "noncommittal." Both "bombastic" and "grandiloquent" mean pompous. "Pugnacious" means aggressive and combative.

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Deleterious

Suave

Discreet

Conspicuous

Picky

Correct answer:

Picky

Explanation:

"Pedantic" means "picky," overly fastidious, or narrow minded. "Suave" is a synonym for "sophisticated." "Deleterious" is a synonym for "harmful." "Discreet" is a synonym for "inconspicuous," which is obviously the antonym of "conspicuous."

Example Question #262 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Debased

Precarious

Wanton

Modest

Perilous

Correct answer:

Wanton

Explanation:

"Wanton" is a word that means immoral or "promiscuous" in some contexts. "Perilous" is a synonym for "dangerous." "Precarious" means unsteady or insecure. "Debased" means lowered in value or humiliated. "Modest" means humble or lowly.

Example Question #263 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Misunderstood

Persistent

Garish

Exceptional

Outlandish

Correct answer:

Persistent

Explanation:

"Pertinacious" is a synonym for "persistent" and "tenacious." "Outlandish" means strange or bizarre. "Garish" is a synonym for tawdry or gaudy, and "exceptional" is a synonym for "outstanding." "Understood" and "misunderstood" are antonyms.

Example Question #264 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Adept

Philanthropic

Antisocial

Adroit

Somnolent

Correct answer:

Antisocial

Explanation:

"Misanthropic" means "antisocial" or unfriendly: literally, hating humankind. As you may be able to guess, this is an antonym of "philanthropic," which means charitable and generous. "Adroit" and "adept" both mean skillful. "Somnolent" is a synonym for "sleepy."

Example Question #265 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Acerbic

Gregarious

Hermitic

Garish

Ridiculous

Correct answer:

Hermitic

Explanation:

Someone who is a "recluse" is a hermit, a solitary person. This is an antonym for "gregarious," or outgoing. "Garish" is another word for gaudy, and "acerbic" is another word for "caustic." Another word for "ridiculous" is "ludicrous."

Example Question #266 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Fanciful

Virtuous

Wicked

Cavalier

Blissful

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

The adjective "fiendish" means wicked, devilish and cunning. Additionally, "fanciful" means unrealistic, 'far-fetched'; "virtuous" means good, wholesome, not sinful; "cavalier" means offhand, apathetic towards; "blissful" means very happy, ecstatic.

Example Question #267 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Surreptitious

Gifted

Ribald

Taciturn

Irresolute

Correct answer:

Gifted

Explanation:

The adjective "precocious" means advanced for one's age, especially talented and "gifted." Additionally, "irresolute" means uncertain; "ribald" means vulgar, (of behavior) distasteful; "surreptitious" means secretive, clandestine; "taciturn" means not talkative, prone to silence.

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Maladjusted

Malevolent

Malformed

Misappropriated

Malicious

Correct answer:

Maladjusted

Explanation:

The adjective "neurotic" is used to describe someone who has many complexes, is suffering from a mental imbalance. This is closest in meaning to "maladjusted" which means poorly adjusted, poorly suited to society. The prefix mal- means bad. So, "malicious" means bad-natured, wicked; "malevolent" also means having an evil nature, wicked; "malformed" means badly formed, incorrectly made; "misappropriated" means to have taken something, like a saying, and used it incorrectly.

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