SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2201 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRIVIAL

Possible Answers:

Sly

Particular

Odd

Settled

Banal

Correct answer:

Banal

Explanation:

Trivial means unimportant or banal

Example Question #2202 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRIVIAL

Possible Answers:

Delayed

Affordable

Calm

Insignificant

Modest

Correct answer:

Insignificant

Explanation:

Trivial means insignificant.  

Example Question #2203 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMPREHENSIVE

Possible Answers:

Threatening

Wandering

Inclusive

Blatant

Hesitant

Correct answer:

Inclusive

Explanation:

Comprehensive means complete, including all aspects of something, or inclusive.

Example Question #2204 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Required

Optional

Mortified

Decorated

Conversational

Correct answer:

Required

Explanation:

“Requisite” is a word that can be used as a noun or an adjective, but because all of the potential answer choices are adjectives, we will need to consider “requisite” as an adjective. When used as an adjective, “requisite” means “made necessary by circumstances or regulations.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “necessary.” That means that “optional” cannot be the correct answer, because “optional” means “available to be chosen but not obligatory,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “requisite.” “Required,” however, when used as an adjective, means “officially compulsory; indispensable,” and because “required” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “requisite,” “required” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2205 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPERATIVE

Possible Answers:

Inferior

Ambitious

Enchanting

Dismissive

Necessary

Correct answer:

Necessary

Explanation:

"Imperative" means absolutely necessary or unavoidable.

Example Question #2206 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMPULSORY

Possible Answers:

Dorsal

Communicative

Genuine

Effective

Required

Correct answer:

Required

Explanation:

"Compulsory" means "required," or mandatory.

Example Question #2207 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRIVIAL

Possible Answers:

Careful

Magnetic

Splendid

Frivolous

Testy

Correct answer:

Frivolous

Explanation:

Trivial and frivolous both mean petty and superficial.

Example Question #2208 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARCANE

Possible Answers:

Purposeful

Mysterious

Moody

Recent

Charming

Correct answer:

Mysterious

Explanation:

"Arcane" means understood by few, mysterious.

Example Question #2209 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRYPTIC

Possible Answers:

Apparent 

Palpable

Obvious 

Mysterious 

Evident 

Correct answer:

Mysterious 

Explanation:

“Cryptic” means enigmatic or mysterious. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all antonyms of cryptic and synonyms of one another.

Example Question #2210 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VERITABLE

Possible Answers:

Doubtful

Legitimate

Dubious

Fair-weather

Capricious

Correct answer:

Legitimate

Explanation:

The word "veritable" is most similar in meaning to "legitimate" and relates an object's authentic nature. The other words do not share this meaning. Some of the answer choices are, in fact, antonyms of "veritable."

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