SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1523 : Synonyms

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

TANTAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Squeamish

Admonishing

Equivalent

Conjectural

Crucial

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

Unlike "paramount," which means crucial, "tantamount" simply means equivalent to. To "admonish" is to warn or chastise someone. "Conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Squeamish" means easily nauseated, queasy.

Example Question #1524 : Synonyms

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

FEBRILE

Possible Answers:

Tacit

Feverish

Archaic

Torpid

Crucial

Correct answer:

Feverish

Explanation:

"Febrile" is another word for "feverish." While someone who is "feverish" may be "torpid," or sluggish, the two words are not necessarily synonymous. "Crucial" means vital, essential. "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken." "Archaic" means outdated, antiquated.

Example Question #1525 : Synonyms

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

PRIMAL

Possible Answers:

Trite

Fundamental

Tantamount

Banal

Tangential

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

"Primal" can mean "fundamental" or primitive, depending on the context. "Tantamount" means equivalent, and "tangential" is a synonym for "barely relevant." "Banal" and "trite" are synonyms for extremely boring.

Example Question #1526 : Synonyms

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Laconic

Ancient

Propitious

Auspicious

Nomadic

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" means "ancient" and primitive. "Ribald" means rude, irreverent. "Propitious" and "auspicious" both mean favorable. "Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" and "pithy." "Nomadic" means wandering from place to place.

Example Question #1527 : Synonyms

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

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Maritime

Unisex

Refined

Gauche

Adroit

Correct answer:

Unisex

Explanation:

"Androgynous" means "unisex" or having characteristics of both the male and female genders. "Gauche" means tasteless or inelegant, which is an antonym for "refined." "Adroit" means skillful and adept. "Maritime" is a synonym for "nautical."

Example Question #1528 : Synonyms

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

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Vicarious

Salutary

Pleonastic

Unethical

Verbose

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Unconscionable" means indefensible, immoral, and "unethical." "Pleonastic" and "verbose" both mean excessively wordy. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," and "salutary" means very healthful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

Possible Answers:

calmly

reluctantly

rapidly

truthfully

passionately

Correct answer:

passionately

Explanation:

"Vehemently" means with strong feeling or passion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MERELY

Possible Answers:

disappointing

maliciously

solely

trifling

politely

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

"Merely" is an adverb meaning just, only, or solely.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ROUNDLY

Possible Answers:

Marginally

Falsely

Cheerfully

Emphatically

Openly

Correct answer:

Emphatically

Explanation:

"Roundly" means done in an emphatic or vehement way.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

VICIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Invincible

Ferociously

Visibly

Heart-rending

Vicinity

Correct answer:

Ferociously

Explanation:

"Viciously" and "ferociously" are synonymous adverbs describing a savage, violent or destructive way of performing an action, attacking viciously, for example. The other words do not share this meaning. In fact, some of the other answer choices are not even adverbs. 

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