SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1101 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISCREET

Possible Answers:

Quiet

Individual

Confusing

Firm

Rocky

Correct answer:

Quiet

Explanation:

Someone who is "discreet" is capable of keeping a secret; cautious, careful, and quiet. Don't mix this up with "discrete," meaning individual or separate.

Example Question #1102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CEREBRAL

Possible Answers:

Impassive 

Corpulent 

Pulchritudinous

Intellectual

Comely 

Correct answer:

Intellectual

Explanation:

“Cerebral” is an adjective used to describe someone who is intellectual and rational. Corpulent means fat; comely means cute; pulchritudinous means beautiful; impassive means expressionless or devoid of emotion.

Example Question #1103 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Spendthrift 

Despised 

Prudent 

Wild 

Wasteful 

Correct answer:

Prudent 

Explanation:

“Frugal” is an adjective used to describe someone who is thrifty or prudent, someone who does not easily part with money. The answer choices “spendthrift” and “wasteful” are antonyms of “frugal.”

Example Question #1104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASCETIC

Possible Answers:

Impoverished 

Gregarious 

Austere

Ostentatious 

Extravagant

Correct answer:

Austere

Explanation:

“Ascetic” is an adjective used to describe the quality of living an austere life, focused on personal discipline and the rejection of material comforts. “Extravagant” and “ostentatious” are antonyms because they both describe the quality of showing wealth and living in luxury. "Gregarious" means very friendly; "impoverished" is somewhat similar in meaning to "ascetic" but "ascetic" implies a conscious choice to live a certain lifestyle, whereas "impoverished" indicates that material comforts are not rejected; rather they are simply not an option.

Example Question #1105 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JUVENILE

Possible Answers:

Thoughtful 

Mature 

Careless 

Childish 

Wizened 

Correct answer:

Childish 

Explanation:

“Juvenile” is an adjective used to describe the youthful quality of something. It generally has a connotation of immaturity or childishness when used to describe people. The best answer choice here is therefore “childish.” Mature is an antonym, as is “wizened,” which describes the appearance of looking shriveled up.

Example Question #1106 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMPELLING

Possible Answers:

Dull

Courageous

Unmotivated

Captivating

Artisanal

Correct answer:

Captivating

Explanation:

Compelling menas capturing interest, or captivating

Example Question #1107 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Calculating

Colorless

Thrifty 

Harmful

Decorated

Correct answer:

Thrifty 

Explanation:

Frugal and thrifty both mean not spending a lot of money.  

Example Question #1108 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRYPTIC

Possible Answers:

Limited

Beneficial

Whimsical

Flushed

Mysterious

Correct answer:

Mysterious

Explanation:

Cryptic means mysterious.  The root word 'crypticus' means hidden.  

Example Question #131 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

NAIVE

Possible Answers:

Inexperienced 

Delayed

Bitter

Primary

Digital

Correct answer:

Inexperienced 

Explanation:

Naïve means inexperienced or having a lack of judgment.  

Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Murky

Outdated

Odorous

Cautious

Exclusive

Correct answer:

Cautious

Explanation:

Prudent means cautious or wise.  

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