SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1091 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Stupid

Skillful

Left

Hard of hearing

Bereft

Correct answer:

Skillful

Explanation:

Someone who is "deft" is skilled, capable, or talented. (It usually refers to an action taken with the hands: "a deft carpenter").

Example Question #1092 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLAMBOYANT

Possible Answers:

Exuberant

Thrifty

Headstrong

Rapid

Pale

Correct answer:

Exuberant

Explanation:

Flamboyant means attracting attention because of exuberance.

Example Question #1101 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISCREET

Possible Answers:

Rocky

Quiet

Firm

Confusing

Individual

Correct answer:

Quiet

Explanation:

Someone who is "discreet" is capable of keeping a secret; cautious, careful, and quiet. Don't mix this up with "discrete," meaning individual or separate.

Example Question #1102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CEREBRAL

Possible Answers:

Pulchritudinous

Corpulent 

Comely 

Impassive 

Intellectual

Correct answer:

Intellectual

Explanation:

“Cerebral” is an adjective used to describe someone who is intellectual and rational. Corpulent means fat; comely means cute; pulchritudinous means beautiful; impassive means expressionless or devoid of emotion.

Example Question #1103 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Spendthrift 

Prudent 

Wild 

Despised 

Wasteful 

Correct answer:

Prudent 

Explanation:

“Frugal” is an adjective used to describe someone who is thrifty or prudent, someone who does not easily part with money. The answer choices “spendthrift” and “wasteful” are antonyms of “frugal.”

Example Question #1104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASCETIC

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious 

Impoverished 

Austere

Gregarious 

Extravagant

Correct answer:

Austere

Explanation:

“Ascetic” is an adjective used to describe the quality of living an austere life, focused on personal discipline and the rejection of material comforts. “Extravagant” and “ostentatious” are antonyms because they both describe the quality of showing wealth and living in luxury. "Gregarious" means very friendly; "impoverished" is somewhat similar in meaning to "ascetic" but "ascetic" implies a conscious choice to live a certain lifestyle, whereas "impoverished" indicates that material comforts are not rejected; rather they are simply not an option.

Example Question #1105 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JUVENILE

Possible Answers:

Thoughtful 

Mature 

Childish 

Wizened 

Careless 

Correct answer:

Childish 

Explanation:

“Juvenile” is an adjective used to describe the youthful quality of something. It generally has a connotation of immaturity or childishness when used to describe people. The best answer choice here is therefore “childish.” Mature is an antonym, as is “wizened,” which describes the appearance of looking shriveled up.

Example Question #1106 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMPELLING

Possible Answers:

Unmotivated

Captivating

Artisanal

Dull

Courageous

Correct answer:

Captivating

Explanation:

Compelling menas capturing interest, or captivating

Example Question #1107 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Harmful

Decorated

Colorless

Calculating

Thrifty 

Correct answer:

Thrifty 

Explanation:

Frugal and thrifty both mean not spending a lot of money.  

Example Question #1108 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRYPTIC

Possible Answers:

Mysterious

Whimsical

Limited

Beneficial

Flushed

Correct answer:

Mysterious

Explanation:

Cryptic means mysterious.  The root word 'crypticus' means hidden.  

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