SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1101 : Synonyms

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

CORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Redundant 

Amiable 

Effervescent

Meaningless

Implacable 

Correct answer:

Amiable 

Explanation:

Someone who is “cordial” is very polite and friendly. "Amiable" means friendly or sociable, so it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "cordial." For clarification, "implacable" means relentless; "redundant" means rendered insignificant or useless; and "effervescent" means sparkling or energetic.

Example Question #1058 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESTIVE

Possible Answers:

hurtful

weary

mollified

momentous

unruly

Correct answer:

unruly

Explanation:

"Restive" means difficult to control, impatient, and unruly.

Example Question #1102 : Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Sociable

Intelligent

Pungent

Meaningful

Grimy

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" is used to describe people who are outgoing, or "sociable."

Example Question #1103 : Synonyms

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Unattainable

Unwanted

Irritable

Pretty

Tangential

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

"Irascible" means easily angered, or "irritable."

Example Question #1104 : Synonyms

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

TRUCULENT

Possible Answers:

Whimsical

Methodical

Sharp

Amenable

Belligerent

Correct answer:

Belligerent

Explanation:

“Truculent” is an adjective that means aggressively defiant, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like eager to fight. That means that “amenable” cannot be the correct answer, because “amenable” means willing to listen to suggestions when referring to people, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “truculent.” “Belligerent,” however, is an adjective that means hostile, and because “belligerent” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “truculent,” “belligerent” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1105 : Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Cyclic

Expensive

Snobbish

Dignified

Attractive

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

"Haughty" is an adjective that means disdainful, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disdainful." While "dignified" may seem like a potentially correct answer choice, "dignified" means serious and stately, not disdainful, so "dignified" cannot be the correct answer. "Snobbish," however, is an adjective that means pretentious and disdainful. Because "snobbish" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "haughty," "snobbish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1106 : Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Abundant

Cunning

Candid

Fast

Changeable

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

"Wily" means shrewd and clever, or "cunning."

Example Question #1107 : Synonyms

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Militant

Brave

Cautious

Reckless

Itchy

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

Someone who is brash is reckless or heedless of danger, so "reckless" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1108 : Synonyms

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Bashful 

Rude 

Poor

Satirical 

Nostalgic 

Correct answer:

Rude 

Explanation:

Someone who is “insolent” is disrespectful and rude. For clarification, "bashful" means easily embarrassed; "nostalgic" means fondly remembering past events; and "satirical" means ironic and sarcastic.

Example Question #1109 : Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Profound 

Condescending

Daft 

Crazy 

Elusive 

Correct answer:

Condescending

Explanation:

“Supercilious” means condescending, or rude and arrogant. For clarification, elusive refers to something that is hard to capture or detect; profound means deep and meaningful; daft means foolish or silly.

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