SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1061 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Grimy

Sociable

Meaningful

Pungent

Intelligent

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" is used to describe people who are outgoing, or "sociable."

Example Question #1062 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Tangential

Pretty

Unwanted

Irritable

Unattainable

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

"Irascible" means easily angered, or "irritable."

Example Question #1063 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRUCULENT

Possible Answers:

Amenable

Sharp

Whimsical

Methodical

Belligerent

Correct answer:

Belligerent

Explanation:

“Truculent” is an adjective that means aggressively defiant, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like eager to fight. That means that “amenable” cannot be the correct answer, because “amenable” means willing to listen to suggestions when referring to people, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “truculent.” “Belligerent,” however, is an adjective that means hostile, and because “belligerent” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “truculent,” “belligerent” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1064 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Expensive

Snobbish

Attractive

Dignified

Cyclic

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

"Haughty" is an adjective that means disdainful, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disdainful." While "dignified" may seem like a potentially correct answer choice, "dignified" means serious and stately, not disdainful, so "dignified" cannot be the correct answer. "Snobbish," however, is an adjective that means pretentious and disdainful. Because "snobbish" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "haughty," "snobbish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1065 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Fast

Cunning

Abundant

Changeable

Candid

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

"Wily" means shrewd and clever, or "cunning."

Example Question #1066 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Militant

Brave

Reckless

Itchy

Cautious

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

Someone who is brash is reckless or heedless of danger, so "reckless" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1067 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Bashful 

Rude 

Satirical 

Nostalgic 

Poor

Correct answer:

Rude 

Explanation:

Someone who is “insolent” is disrespectful and rude. For clarification, "bashful" means easily embarrassed; "nostalgic" means fondly remembering past events; and "satirical" means ironic and sarcastic.

Example Question #1068 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Elusive 

Condescending

Profound 

Daft 

Crazy 

Correct answer:

Condescending

Explanation:

“Supercilious” means condescending, or rude and arrogant. For clarification, elusive refers to something that is hard to capture or detect; profound means deep and meaningful; daft means foolish or silly.

Example Question #1069 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Heartless

Compassionate

Elegant

Annoyed

Considerable

Correct answer:

Heartless

Explanation:

While both "heartless" and "annoyed" may seem like potential synonyms for "callous," "callous" is an adjective meaning "showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others," so "heartless" is the best answer, because its meaning is closer to "callous" than that of "annoyed" is.

Example Question #1070 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Careful

Diligent

Obtuse

Slack

Fleeting

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Prudent" means careful or cautious.

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