SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1081 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FERAL

Possible Answers:

Painful

Barbarous

Wild

Artificial

Clean

Correct answer:

Wild

Explanation:

"Feral" means untamed, or "wild."

Example Question #1082 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TERSE

Possible Answers:

Concise

Stern 

Brilliant

Unfriendly

Unhappy

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Terse" means using very few words in order to make a point. "Concise" means using the minimum amount of words to communicate an idea. Given the similarities in meaning between these words, they are synonyms. While "terse" and "tense" may sound similar, they have different meanings and therefore are not synonyms.

Example Question #1083 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPONTANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Exceptional

Premeditated

Extemporaneous

Clandestine

Dejected

Correct answer:

Extemporaneous

Explanation:

"Spontaneous" is an adjective that means "performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus," so we need to pick out a word that means about the same thing - roughly, "unplanned." While "premeditated" might seem like a good answer because like "spontaneous," it has to do with preparation, "premeditated" actually means "thought out or planned beforehand" and often is used to refer to crimes. So, "premeditated" is an antonym of "spontaneous" and is not the word we're looking for. "Extemporaneous," on the other hand, is an adjective that means "spoken or done without preparation," and since it is closest in meaning to "spontaneous," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1084 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CANTANKEROUS

Possible Answers:

Economical

Condescending

Assertive

Aspiring

Querulous

Correct answer:

Querulous

Explanation:

Since "cantankerous" means "bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative," we're looking for another adjective that means "bad-tempered." While "condescending" may sound like a potentially correct answer, "condescending" actually means "having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority." Since "condescending" doesn't mean "bad-tempered," it can't be the right answer. "Querulous," however, means "complaining in a petulant or whining manner," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "cantankerous," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1085 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BELLIGERENT

Possible Answers:

Placid

Belie

Amicable

Confrontational

Assertive

Correct answer:

Confrontational

Explanation:

"Belligerent" is an adjective meaning "angry and aggressive; feeling or showing readiness to fight," so we should pick out another word that means "aggressive." While "assertive" and "confrontational" might both look like potentially correct answers, "confrontational" is the better answer. This is because "assertive" means "confident in behavior in style," and is thus not a synonym of "belligerent," while "confrontational" means "tending to deal with situations in an aggressive way; hostile or argumentative," which is synonymous with "belligerent."

Example Question #1086 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OBDURATE

Possible Answers:

Docile

Adamant

Submissive

Affluent

Placid

Correct answer:

Adamant

Explanation:

"Obdurate" is used to describe someone that is stubborn or headstrong. Adamant is a synonym of Obdurate. Submissive and Docile are antonyms of Obdurate because they describe someone that is easy to control. Affluent means wealthy and Placid means calm and tranquil. Both of these words have no relation to Obdurate.

Example Question #1087 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Careful

Rash

Well-known

Reckless

Grandiose

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Prudent" means to be careful, so that would be the synonym. Rash and Reckless have the opposite meaning of prudent. Grandiose describes something or someone that is overly showy. Well-known describes something or someone that known my many people. These last two words have no relationship to Prudent in this instance.

Example Question #1088 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BOISTEROUS

Possible Answers:

Commodious

Deft

Calm

Subdued

Loud

Correct answer:

Loud

Explanation:

"Boisterous" means to be loud and unrestrained. Subdued and Quiet have the opposite meaning of Boisterous. Commodious means to be roomy, and Deft means to be skilled. These two words have no relation to the Boisterous.

Example Question #1089 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PETULANT

Possible Answers:

Patient

Bloated

Dangerous

Irritable

Pugnacious

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

"Petulant" describes someone that is easily irritated, so Irritable would be the correct answer. Patient is the opposite of Petulant. Bloated means something or someone is swollen. Dangerous describes something or someone that can cause harm, and Pugnacious means belligerent or warlike. These last three words have no relation to Petulant in this context.

Example Question #1090 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HEARTY

Possible Answers:

Rash

Independent

Petulant

New

Cheerful

Correct answer:

Cheerful

Explanation:

Hearty means heartful, or loud and cheerful.

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