SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1431 : Synonyms

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

MONOLITHIC

Possible Answers:

Extant

Natural

Bossy

Diminutive

Colossal

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

“Monolithic” is an adjective that can mean extremely large, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like large. That means that “diminutive” cannot be the correct answer, because “diminutive” means very small when used as an adjective, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “monolithic.” “Colossal,” however, is an adjective that means very big, and because “colossal” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “monolithic,” “colossal” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1389 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Agile

Burnt

Pathetic

Scathing

Concise

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Pithy" means brief and full of meaning.

Example Question #1391 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANALOGOUS

Possible Answers:

Tardy

Filthy

Comparable

Foreign

Computerized

Correct answer:

Comparable

Explanation:

"Analogous" means that two things are similar in nature. "Comparable," the correct answer, also means able to be compared and similar in some respect. The other answers do not have similar definitions: "foreign" means from a different country; "computerized" means done by a computer; "filthy" means dirty; and "tardy" means late.

Example Question #1392 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VIRTUAL

Possible Answers:

Simulated

Chaste

Ramshackle

Contemporary

Electronic

Correct answer:

Simulated

Explanation:

"Virtual" means not existing physically, but rather simulated by a computer. "Simulated" is therefore the correct answer. "Electronic," which meanas powered by electricity, may seem like a potentially correct answer, but it is not as close in meaning to "virtual" as "simulated" is. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "virtual": "chaste" means innocent or pure, "ramshackle" means run-down or ready to collapse, and "contemporary" means current or happening in recent times.

Example Question #1393 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CASUAL

Possible Answers:

Collaborative

Formal

Relaxed

Fruitful

Timid

Correct answer:

Relaxed

Explanation:

"Casual" means relaxed or not formal, so "informal," an adjective that also means not formal, is the correct answer. "Formal" is an antonym of "casual"; it means adhering to a strict set of rules or conventions. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to that of "casual": "timid" means afraid or easily frightened; "fruitful" means productive; "collaborative" means cooperative or involving multiple people working together to achieve a goal.

Example Question #1394 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Crusty 

Relevant

Jealous

Touchy 

Discerning 

Correct answer:

Relevant

Explanation:

“Germane” means relevant, so "relevant" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “germane”. “Touchy” means easily upset. “Discerning” means perceptive. “Jealous” means envious. “Crusty” means having a crisp or hard outer layer or covering.

Example Question #1395 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Unimportant

Important

Considerable

Irrelevant

Pertinent

Correct answer:

Pertinent

Explanation:

"Germane" is an adjective that means relevant to the topic of discussion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like relevant. While both "important" and "pertinent" may look like potentially correct answer choices, "important" does not mean relevant, while "pertinent" means relevant. Because "pertinent" is the closest synonym of "germane" amongst the listed answer choices, it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1396 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROFANE

Possible Answers:

Furious

Difficult

Unwieldy

Rebellious

Indecent

Correct answer:

Indecent

Explanation:

"Profane" means secular, disrespectful, or "indecent."

Example Question #1397 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LEWD

Possible Answers:

Limber

Shining

Vulgar

Untied

Particular

Correct answer:

Vulgar

Explanation:

"Lewd" means crude, offensive, or "vulgar."

Example Question #1396 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABERRANT

Possible Answers:

Clamorous

Deviant

Ill

Playful

Inflected

Correct answer:

Deviant

Explanation:

"Aberrant" means departing from the standard, or deviant.

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