SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Medicinal

Cowardly

Commonplace

Creative

Zesty

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

Example Question #50 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

STERLING

Possible Answers:

Excellent

Scented

Understood

Melancholy

Creamy

Correct answer:

Excellent

Explanation:

"Sterling" means excellent or valuable.

Example Question #2491 : Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Courageous 

Dull

Retracted

Quick

Subservient

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Insipid" means dull or bland.

Example Question #2492 : Synonyms

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

EXECRABLE

Possible Answers:

Supportive

Needless

Clipped

Detestable

Released

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

"Execrable" means detestable or very bad.

Example Question #2493 : Synonyms

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

DERIVATIVE

Possible Answers:

Unoriginal 

Inspired

Stirred 

Creative

Stirred 

Imaginative

Imaginative

Inspired

Correct answer:

Unoriginal 

Explanation:

“Derivative” means unoriginal or derived from an earlier idea. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all antonyms of derivative.

Example Question #2494 : Synonyms

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

PRESTIGIOUS

Possible Answers:

Puzzling

Perplexing

Abstruse

Acclaimed

Arcane

Correct answer:

Acclaimed

Explanation:

"Prestigious" and "acclaimed" are closest in meaning. These synonyms refer to people or institutions held in high regard or esteemed. The other words describe an object's quality of being confounding or confusing.

Example Question #2501 : Synonyms

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

ABUNDANT

Possible Answers:

Exclusive

Limited

Abusive

Bountiful

Scarce

Correct answer:

Bountiful

Explanation:

"Abundant" and "bountiful" are synonyms describing a plentiful supply or amount of something. The other words do not share this meaning, though they some may appear similar in spelling.

Example Question #2502 : Synonyms

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

PLETHORA

Possible Answers:

Minute

Small

Myriad

Miniature

Little

Correct answer:

Myriad

Explanation:

Although the words "plethora" and "myriad" are quite advanced vocabulary, notice that the meanings of the other answer choices are all so closely related that one can solve the problem through process of elimination. "Plethora" and "myriad" both refer to a huge, often excessive amount of something.

Example Question #2503 : Synonyms

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

AUSPICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Wry

Punctual

Promising

Cranky

Blurry

Correct answer:

Promising

Explanation:

Something "auspicious" is promising or to one's advantage. "Wry" means dry, ironic, and sarcastic. "Punctual" means prompt or timely. "Blurry" and "unclear" are synonyms, as are "cranky" and "irritable."

Example Question #2504 : Synonyms

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

MYRIAD

Possible Answers:

Innumerable

Couple

Several

Countable

Few

Correct answer:

Innumerable

Explanation:

"Myriad" and "innumerable" are synonyms referring to a quantity that is too large to count. The other answer choices all share a similar meaning, referring to quantities that can be counted. Consider that the word "few" is really an antonym of the word "myriad."

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