SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1946 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

HISTRIONIC

Possible Answers:

Ragged

Bright

Contrite

Dramatic

Dormant

Correct answer:

Dramatic

Explanation:

"Histrionic" means overly-dramatic.

Example Question #1947 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PUERILE

Possible Answers:

Oblivious

Limber

Ceremonial

Silly

Mature

Correct answer:

Silly

Explanation:

"Puerile" is an adjective that means "childishly silly and trivial," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "silly" or "trivial." Since "silly" is one of the possible answer choices and none of the other answer choices mean "silly" or "trivial," "silly" is the best—and correct—answer.

Example Question #1948 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

WINSOME

Possible Answers:

Charming

Talkative

Dynamic

Successful

Easy

Correct answer:

Charming

Explanation:

Winsome means attractive, appealing, or charming.

Example Question #1949 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

QUERULOUS

Possible Answers:

Loud

Depressed

Quiescent

Angry

Fretful

Correct answer:

Fretful

Explanation:

Someone who is "querulous" complains a lot. So, the best answer choice is "fretful," which means quick to complain. The word "quiescent" means calm and is an antonym of "querulous." The other three words may be characteristics of someone who is querulous, but are not synonyms of "querulous."

Example Question #1950 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

HIDEBOUND

Possible Answers:

Portly 

Prejudiced 

Comely 

Jaunty 

Gregarious

Correct answer:

Prejudiced 

Explanation:

“Hidebound” means narrow-minded and prejudiced. For clarification, comely means cute; portly means big or fat; jaunty means cheerful or dashing; gregarious means outgoing and sociable.

Example Question #1151 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MALADROIT

Possible Answers:

Clumsy

Stubborn

Cheerful

Bothersome

Evil

Correct answer:

Clumsy

Explanation:

"Maladroit" means ineffective, bungling, or clumsy.

Example Question #1152 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SYMPATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Pathetic

Forlorn

Pitiful

Plaintive

Empathetic

Correct answer:

Empathetic

Explanation:

"Sympathetic" and "empathetic" are closely related in meaning, showing understanding or approval toward an idea, action, or person. The other words do not share this meaning but do have similar meanings themselves.

Example Question #1153 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BOLD

Possible Answers:

Obvious

Mild-mannered

Sublime

Audacious

Wealthy

Correct answer:

Audacious

Explanation:

"Bold" and "audacious" are synonyms describing an outgoing, courageous personality. The other words do not share this meaning. "Mild-mannered" is an antonym to "bold" and "audacious." The other words are not adjectives used to describe personality traits.

Example Question #1154 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONSCIENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Frank

Eternal

Dutiful

Ravenous

Advantageous

Correct answer:

Dutiful

Explanation:

"Conscientious" means responsible and dutiful. "Eternal" means everlasting. "Advantageous" means beneficial. "Ravenous" means very hungry. "Frank" means curt and direct.

Example Question #1155 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELOQUENT

Possible Answers:

Articulate

Partial

Evasive

Convivial

Excruciating

Correct answer:

Articulate

Explanation:

"Eloquent" means fluent. "Partially" and "wholly" are antonyms, as are "excruciatingly" and "painlessly." "Evasive" and "elusive" are synonyms, and "convivial" means cheerful.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors