SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2301 : Synonyms

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

FAR-FETCHED

Possible Answers:

Improbable

Expected

Languishing

Operational

Proportionate

Correct answer:

Improbable

Explanation:

“Far-fetched” is an adjective that means implausible, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like unlikely. That means that “expected” cannot be the correct answer, because “expected” means thought of as likely to occur, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “far-fetched.” “Improbable,” however, is an adjective that means either not likely to occur or be true, and because “improbable” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “far-fetched,” “improbable” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2302 : Synonyms

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

CONFOUNDING

Possible Answers:

Puzzling 

Benevolent 

Considerate 

Noteworthy 

Ponderous

Correct answer:

Puzzling 

Explanation:

“Confounding” means confusing or puzzling, so "puzzling" is the correct answer. For clarification, "ponderous" means very slow or overelaborate; "noteworthy" means significant; "benevolent" means possessing a good or virtuous nature; and "considerate" means thoughtful.

Example Question #2301 : Synonyms

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

CONTENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

ill-timed

controversial

renowned

forgiving

remarkable

Correct answer:

controversial

Explanation:

"Contentious" means likely to cause argument, or controversial.

Example Question #2303 : Synonyms

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

VIABLE

Possible Answers:

Influential

Tremendous

Feasible

Courageous

Manifold

Correct answer:

Feasible

Explanation:

"Viable" means realistic and capable of meeting with success, or "feasible."

Example Question #2304 : Synonyms

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

SALIENT

Possible Answers:

Elegant 

Corporeal

Salty

Flavorful

Significant 

Correct answer:

Significant 

Explanation:

“Salient” means significant or noticeable. For clarification, "corporeal" means concerning bodily things (especially in contrast to spiritual things) and "elegant" means sophisticated and graceful.

Example Question #2305 : Synonyms

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

LIMPID

Possible Answers:

Ornery

Lucid 

Laconic

Listless 

Intrepid

Correct answer:

Lucid 

Explanation:

Something expressed in a “limpid” way is expressed clearly and lucidly and easily understood. So the correct answer is “lucid” which also means clear. For clarification, "listless" means lacking energy; "laconic" means terse or brief; "ornery" means irritable or bad-tempered; "intrepid" means adventurous.

Example Question #2306 : Synonyms

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

LUCID

Possible Answers:

Timid

Risky

Cloudy

Insane

Intelligible

Correct answer:

Intelligible

Explanation:

"Lucid" means expressed clearly, or intelligible.

Example Question #2307 : Synonyms

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

LUCID

Possible Answers:

Healthy

Clear

Shameful

Mystified 

Mandatory

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

"Lucid" means clear.  

Example Question #2308 : Synonyms

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

GLIB

Possible Answers:

Fortified

Unsure

Silly

Flippant

Weak

Correct answer:

Flippant

Explanation:

"Glib" means speaking a lot but in an insincere and flippant way, so "flippant," meaning facetious and rude, is the correct answer.

Example Question #2309 : Synonyms

SPURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Underwhelmed

False

Dissected

Enraged

Fixated

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

"Spurious" means counterfeit or untrue. (Example: "The paper was full of spurious claims, and Francis wasn't surprised that the argument's evidence was lacking, as evidence would have contradicted its claims.") Therefore, "false" is the best synonym.

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