SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2381 : Synonyms

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

DESOLATE

Possible Answers:

Deserted

Ambitious

Rash

Belligerent

Passive

Correct answer:

Deserted

Explanation:

"Desolate" means "deserted" or lacking in people or inhabitants. "Ambitious" means determined to succeed in the future. "Passive" means submissive or not engaged in what is happening. "Belligerent" means aggressive or warlike. "Rash" means reckless or not careful.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Movement, And Location

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

PALATIAL

Possible Answers:

Local

Luxurious

Opaque

Delicious

Nasty

Correct answer:

Luxurious

Explanation:

Palatial means resembling a palace or when describing a building or room, large, like a palace. "Luxurious" means comfortable and wealthy, so "luxurious" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "palatial." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "palatial": "delicious" means tasting good, "opaque" means not transparent, "local" means from a nearby area, and "nasty" means gross or unpleasant.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Movement, And Location

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

STREWN

Possible Answers:

Improved 

Coalesced 

Used 

Scattered 

Abused 

Correct answer:

Scattered 

Explanation:

“Strewn" means scattered around untidily, so "scattered" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2382 : Synonyms

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

FECUND

Possible Answers:

Corpulent 

Baleful 

Fertile 

Intelligent 

Spherical

Correct answer:

Fertile 

Explanation:

“Fecund” means fertile or capable of producing many children, so "fertile" is the correct answer. For clarification, "spherical" means round, shaped like a sphere; "corpulent" means fat; "baleful" means menacing; and "intelligent" means smart.

Example Question #2241 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISCRETE

Possible Answers:

Flowery

Serious

Malignant

Separate

Imaginative

Correct answer:

Separate

Explanation:

"Discrete" and "separate" are both words to describe things that are distinctive from one another.

Example Question #2383 : Synonyms

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

PERVASIVE

Possible Answers:

Underground

Hand-crafted

Extensive

Threatening

Wealthy

Correct answer:

Extensive

Explanation:

"Pervasive" means widely prevalent, or "extensive." One might talk about the "pervasive influence" of a new idea or invention.

Example Question #2384 : Synonyms

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

RUSTIC

Possible Answers:

Oxidized

Rural

Shabby

Petite

Ordinary

Correct answer:

Rural

Explanation:

"Rustic" means relating to the countryside, or "rural."

Example Question #1061 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BUCOLIC

Possible Answers:

Urbane

Pastoral

Lighthearted

Welcoming

Futuristic

Correct answer:

Pastoral

Explanation:

"Bucolic" is an adjective meaning "of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life." While "lighthearted" and "welcoming" might seem like good answers because of the "pleasant" connotation of "bucolic," "pastoral" is the closest synonym of "bucolic" amongst the answer choices because one meaning of "pastoral" is "portraying or evoking country life, typically in a romanticized or idealized form," usually used to refer to works of art. So, the correct answer is "pastoral."

Example Question #2385 : Synonyms

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

LATTER

Possible Answers:

Unstable

Adorable

Morose

Final

Developed

Correct answer:

Final

Explanation:

Latter means occuring towards the end, or the second of two things.

Example Question #2386 : Synonyms

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

DIVERGENT

Possible Answers:

Wayward

Intelligent

Bold

Careful

Sneaky

Correct answer:

Wayward

Explanation:

Something that is "divergent" is something that is going off in its own direction or moving away from the pack, so "wayward" is the synonym you want.

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