SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1541 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EARNESTLY

Possible Answers:

Foolishly

Villainously

Grimily

Sincerely

Zestfully

Correct answer:

Sincerely

Explanation:

"Earnest" means serious, sincere, and intense. "Villainous" means wicked and evil. "Grimy" means filthy. "Foolish" means silly. "Zestful" means eager and enthusiastic, full of vitality.

Example Question #1542 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLACIDLY

Possible Answers:

Aggressively

Celestially

Meekly

Happily

Calmly

Correct answer:

Calmly

Explanation:

"Placid" means calm and tranquil, which is an antonym of "aggressive." "Happy" and "sad" are antonyms. "Celestial" is a synonym for "heavenly." "Meek" means timid.

Example Question #1543 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CANDIDLY

Possible Answers:

Optimistically

Negligibly

Neglectfully

Frankly

Sternly

Correct answer:

Frankly

Explanation:

"Candid" means frank, outspoken, or sincere. "Negligent" means trifling, careless. "Optimistic" and "pessimistic" are antonyms. "Stern" means strict and serious. "Neglectful" and "negligent" are synonyms.

Example Question #1544 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DESIRABLY

Possible Answers:

Ominously

Attractively

Euphorically

Sardonically

Spitefully

Correct answer:

Attractively

Explanation:

"Desirable" and "attractive" are synonyms. "Spiteful" and "malicious" are synonyms. "Euphoric" means very happy or elated. "Ominous" means sinister. "Sardonic" means wry or sarcastic.

Example Question #1545 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRANKLY

Possible Answers:

Forthrightly

Morally

Flexibly

Sternly

Rigidly

Correct answer:

Forthrightly

Explanation:

To be "frank" is to be candid. To be "moral" is to be ethical. To be "stern" is to be serious or strict. "Rigid" means stiff or inflexible. This is an antonym of "flexible."

Example Question #1546 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MERCIFULLY

Possible Answers:

Clearly

Fluently

Compassionately

Favorably

Eloquently

Correct answer:

Compassionately

Explanation:

"Merciful" means compassionate or forgiving. "Eloquent" means articulate and fluent. "Favorable" can be a synonym for "auspicious," and "clear" can be a synonym for "transparent."

Example Question #1547 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PREDICTABLY

Possible Answers:

Enterprisingly

Greasily

Forseeably

Resourcefully

Ardently

Correct answer:

Forseeably

Explanation:

Something "predictable" is able to be foreseen. "Resourceful" means inventive and enterprising. "Ardent" means fervent and zealous. "Greasy" means oily.

Example Question #1548 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOTABLY

Possible Answers:

Purely

Passively

Dismissively

Remarkably

Negligibly

Correct answer:

Remarkably

Explanation:

"Negligibly," "dismissively," and "passively" are all closely related adverbs describing something that is not significantly engaging. "Purely" is not related in meaning to "notably." "Remarkably" is indeed the correct synonym: consider that one word referring to something that is noteworthy while the other signals that something is so special it merits a remark.

Example Question #1549 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRACEFULLY

Possible Answers:

Brashly

Violently

Hurriedly

Fluidly

Harshly

Correct answer:

Fluidly

Explanation:

"Gracefully" and "fluidly" both refer to an action that is performed without sudden interruptions. The other adverbs refer to actions that are performed aggressively or harshly rather than elegantly, as the word "gracefully" would signal. Simple process of elimination can help you arrive at the correct answer.

Example Question #1550 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EFFECTIVELY

Possible Answers:

Worthlessly

Ineffectively

Efficaciously

Uselessly

Weak

Correct answer:

Efficaciously

Explanation:

"Effectively" and "efficaciously" are synonymous adverbs. The words even look very similar! More importantly, all of the other answer choices are antonyms of the word "effectively." They all seem to refer to modify a word by describing it as not useful or effective.

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