SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #291 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PUNCTILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Stolid

Ferocious

Optimistic

Truculent

Meticulous

Correct answer:

Meticulous

Explanation:

"Punctilious" means "meticulous," fastidious, or paying very close and careful attention to detail. "Ferocious" is a synonym for "fierce," and "stolid" is a synonym for "calm" and "impassive." "Truculent" means aggressive, belligerent. "Optimistic," of course, is an antonym for "pessimistic."

Example Question #292 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

COQUETTISH

Possible Answers:

Ignorant

Coy

Misanthropic

Rapacious

Hermitic

Correct answer:

Coy

Explanation:

"Coquettish" is a synonym for flirtatious or "coy." "Ignorant" means poorly informed, unaware. "Rapacious" means excessively greedy. "Hermitic" means reclusive, isolated. "Misanthropic" is another word for antisocial.

Example Question #293 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DEMURE

Possible Answers:

Resilient

Meek

Terse

Brash

Abrasive

Correct answer:

Meek

Explanation:

"Demure" means "meek" or modest. This is an antonym of "brash," which means immodest. "Terse" is another word for laconic or concise. "Resilient" means strong, hardy, or flexible. "Abrasive" is a synonym for "harsh," "grating."

Example Question #294 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ARCH

Possible Answers:

Conniving

Discreet

Stringent

Conspiratorial

Mischievous

Correct answer:

Mischievous

Explanation:

Someone behaving "archly" is being mischievous, coy, or flirtatious. "Conniving" and "conspiratorial" are synonyms. "Stringent" means extremely strict, and "discreet" means careful, cautious, or inconspicuous.

Example Question #295 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ERRANT

Possible Answers:

Pertinacious

Harmoniously

Guilty

Coercive

Perspicacious

Correct answer:

Guilty

Explanation:

Someone "errant" is guilty," delinquent, and straying from decency. "Pertinacious" means persistent, while "perspicacious" means perceptive. "Coercive" means forceful or threatening. "Harmonious" can mean melodic or peaceful, depending on context.

Example Question #296 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

LATITUDINARIAN

Possible Answers:

Vapid

Tolerant

Stringent

Frivolous

Xenophobic

Correct answer:

Tolerant

Explanation:

"Latitudinarian" means "tolerant" and accepting of all, particularly in a religious context. "Xenophobic" means afraid or intolerant of foreigners. "Frivolous" means flighty and carefree. "Stringent" means very strict and harsh. "Vapid" is a synonym for "dull," tiring, and insipid.

Example Question #297 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PERCIPIENT

Possible Answers:

Lucid

Insatiable

Elementary

Noxious

Astute

Correct answer:

Astute

Explanation:

"Percipient" means perceptive or "astute." "Elementary" means basic, fundamental. "Insatiable" is a synonym for "ravenous" or voracious. "Lucid" means clear and comprehensible. "Noxious" means toxic or highly unpleasant.

Example Question #298 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GLIB

Possible Answers:

Querulous

Unconvincing

Effervescent

Vivacious

Polished

Correct answer:

Polished

Explanation:

"Glib" means smooth or "polished" and usually describes a person's speech. Since "glib" speech is often convincing, "unconvincing" is a good antonym for "glib." "Vivacious" means lively and lighthearted, which is similar to "effervescent," or bubbly. "Querulous" means cranky, whiny, and petulant.

Example Question #299 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PERSIPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Evocative

Perceptive

Recalcitrant

Discordant

Vulnerable

Correct answer:

Perceptive

Explanation:

"Perspicacious" means "perceptive" or astute. "Recalcitrant" means stubborn and resistant. "Vulnerable" means weak or defenceless. "Discordant" is a synonym for "dissonant," and "evocative" is a synonym for "redolent" or reminiscent.

Example Question #300 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

BOORISH

Possible Answers:

Potable

Immutable

Indulgent

Onerous

Coarse

Correct answer:

Coarse

Explanation:

"Boorish" means "coarse," crass, and unrefined. "Indulgent" is a synonym for "lenient," and "immutable" is a synonym for "unchanging." "Onerous" means difficult, burdensome, or laborious. "Potable" means able to be drunk safely.

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