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:

Meaningful

Pungent

Grimy

Sociable

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:

Unwanted

Unattainable

Irritable

Tangential

Pretty

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

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

Example Question #84 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TRUCULENT

Possible Answers:

Belligerent

Amenable

Whimsical

Sharp

Methodical

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 #1063 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Attractive

Expensive

Cyclic

Snobbish

Dignified

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 #1064 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Fast

Abundant

Changeable

Cunning

Candid

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1065 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Reckless

Cautious

Militant

Brave

Itchy

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1066 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Satirical 

Poor

Bashful 

Rude 

Nostalgic 

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 #1067 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Condescending

Daft 

Crazy 

Elusive 

Profound 

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 #1068 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Heartless

Annoyed

Compassionate

Considerable

Elegant

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 #1069 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Careful

Diligent

Fleeting

Slack

Obtuse

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Prudent" means careful or cautious.

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