SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1381 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DAUNTING

Possible Answers:

Intimidating

Pensive

Wavering

Calibrating

Bothersome

Correct answer:

Intimidating

Explanation:

Daunting means seemingly difficult or intimidating.

Example Question #1382 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Obsessive 

Powerful

Blotchy

Doubtful

Peaceful

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

Potent means powerful.  

Example Question #1383 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELEMENTARY

Possible Answers:

Advanced

Fraudulent

Desiccated

Fundamental

Bungling

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

“Elementary” is an adjective that can mean “of or relating to the most rudimentary aspects of a subject,” “easily dealt with; straightforward and uncomplicated,” or “not decomposable into elements or other primary constituents.” We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “simple.” That means that “advanced” cannot be the correct answer, because “advanced” means “far on or ahead in development,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “elementary.” “Fundamental,” however, is an adjective that can mean “forming a necessary base or core; of central importance” or “so basic as to be hard to alter, resolve, or overcome,” and because “fundamental” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “elementary,” “fundamental” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1384 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARDUOUS

Possible Answers:

Bearable

Difficult

Shifty

Hairy

Bold

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Arduous" means "difficult" or requiring a lot of energy.  

Example Question #1385 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONCISE.

Possible Answers:

Inclusive

Replete

Demanding 

Pulchritudinous

Succinct 

Correct answer:

Succinct 

Explanation:

“Concise” means brief and to the point and is therefore closest in meaning to “succinct.” Succinct describes something expressed with brevity and clarity, brief, and to the point. For clarification, replete means filled-up, overflowing; pulchritudinous means very beautiful.

Example Question #1386 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TERSE

Possible Answers:

Previous

Challenging

Lengthy

Abrupt

Itinerant

Correct answer:

Abrupt

Explanation:

"Terse" means not using many words, or "abrupt."

Example Question #1387 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUCCINCT

Possible Answers:

Sweet

Argumentative

Concise

Helpful

Converse

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Succinct" means expressed clearly and concisely, so "concise" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #1388 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROLIX

Possible Answers:

Forthcoming

Tasteful

Verbose

Linguistic

Merry

Correct answer:

Verbose

Explanation:

"Prolix" means using too many words, or verbose.

Example Question #1389 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MONOLITHIC

Possible Answers:

Bossy

Extant

Natural

Diminutive

Colossal

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

“Monolithic” is an adjective that can mean extremely large, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like large. That means that “diminutive” cannot be the correct answer, because “diminutive” means very small when used as an adjective, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “monolithic.” “Colossal,” however, is an adjective that means very big, and because “colossal” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “monolithic,” “colossal” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1390 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Burnt

Scathing

Pathetic

Agile

Concise

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Pithy" means brief and full of meaning.

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