SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RECALCITRANT

Possible Answers:

Hardworking

Disobedient 

Lazy 

Jubilant 

Loyal 

Correct answer:

Disobedient 

Explanation:

“Recalcitrant” is an adjective used to describe someone’s disobedience or stubborn resistance. Note that “jubilant” means very happy.

Example Question #1151 : Synonyms

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

JAUNTY

Possible Answers:

Lively

Macabre

Broken

Provocative

Colorful

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

Jaunty means cheerful, confident, and lively.

Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CHARISMATIC

Possible Answers:

Whimsical

Regulated

Magnetic

Intellectual

Shabby

Correct answer:

Magnetic

Explanation:

Charismatic describes a person who is charming, compelling, or has a magnetic personality.

Example Question #134 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

SARDONIC

Possible Answers:

Physical

Supportive

Hopeful

Scornful

Emotional

Correct answer:

Scornful

Explanation:

“Sardonic” is an adjective that means “grimly mocking or cynical,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cynical.” That means that “supportive” cannot be the correct answer, because “supportive” means “providing encouragement or emotional help,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “sardonic.” “Scornful,” however, is an adjective that means “feeling or expressing contempt or derision,” and because “scornful” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “sardonic,” “scornful” is the correct answer.

Example Question #135 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRESCIENT

Possible Answers:

Measured

Forgetful

Oblivious

Crucial

Clairvoyant

Correct answer:

Clairvoyant

Explanation:

“Prescient” is an adjective that means “having or showing knowledge of events before they take place,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “having foreknowledge of events.” That means that “Oblivious” cannot be the correct answer, because “oblivious” means “not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one,” a meaning quite distant from that of “prescient.” “Clairvoyant,” however, when used as an adjective, means “having or exhibiting an ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact,” and because “clairvoyant” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “prescient,” “clairvoyant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #136 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

INSULAR

Possible Answers:

Worried

Presumptuous

Tolerant

Sordid

Narrow-minded

Correct answer:

Narrow-minded

Explanation:

“Insular” is an adjective that can mean “ignorant of cultures, ideas, or peoples other than one's own,” or “lacking contact; isolated” or “relating to islands.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ignorant of other cultures, ideas,” “lacking contact with other people, or “of an island.” That means that “tolerant” cannot be the correct answer, because “tolerant” means “showing willingness to allow the existence of other opinions,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “insular.” “Narrow-minded,” however, is an adjective that can mean “prejudiced,” and because “narrow-minded” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “insular,” “narrow-minded” is the correct answer.

Example Question #137 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DISINGENUOUS

Possible Answers:

Dreary

Duplicitous

Mobile

Inveterate

Genuine

Correct answer:

Duplicitous

Explanation:

“Disingenuous” is an adjective that means “not candid or sincere,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not sincere.” That means that “genuine” cannot be the correct answer, because “genuine” means “sincere” when referring to a person, emotion, or action, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “disingenuous.” “Duplicitous,” however, is an adjective that means “deceitful,” and because “duplicitous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “disingenuous,” “duplicitous” is the correct answer.

Example Question #138 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Quiet

Timid

Proud

Plucky

Dreary

Correct answer:

Timid

Explanation:

“Craven” is an adjective that means “cowardly,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cowardly.” That means that “plucky” cannot be the correct answer, because “plucky” means “courage in the face of difficulties,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “craven.” “Timid,” however, is an adjective that means “showing a lack of courage or confidence,” and because “timid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “craven,” “timid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1161 : Synonyms

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

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Frequent

Hydrating

Enriching

Poetic

Disobedient

Correct answer:

Disobedient

Explanation:

"Unruly" means disobedient or uncontrollable.

Example Question #1162 : Synonyms

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Narrow Minded

Sharp

Idealistic

Floral

Complex

Correct answer:

Sharp

Explanation:

"Keen" means sharp or very perceptive.

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