SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #747 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HEX

Possible Answers:

Disparity

Hullabaloo

Iniquity

Brevity

Curse

Correct answer:

Curse

Explanation:

"Hexes" are curses (of the evil spell variety, not the swear word kind). Don't confuse this with "iniquity," which denotes the more general concept of evil. A "hullabaloo" is a ruckus, and a "disparity" is a discrepancy. "Brevity" is a synonym for "briefness."

Example Question #748 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SEMBLANCE

Possible Answers:

Currency

Euphoria

Appearance

Paucity

Antipathy

Correct answer:

Appearance

Explanation:

To have the "semblance" of something is to have the surface appearance (but usually not the true essence) of that thing. "Currency" can mean prevalence or legal tender, depending on the context. "Antipathy" is a synonym for "strong hatred," while "paucity" is a synonym for "scarcity." "Euphoria" is the state of ecstasy.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

SLENDER

Possible Answers:

artistic

slim

exotic

rude

floral

Correct answer:

slim

Explanation:

"Slender" means gracefully thin, or slim.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

APPARITIONAL.

Possible Answers:

Life-like 

Breezy 

Ghostly 

Movable 

Pugnacious 

Correct answer:

Ghostly 

Explanation:

If something is “apparitional” it has the appearance of something ghostly. So the correct answer is “ghostly.” For clarification, "pugnacious" means aggressive or combative; "breezy" means light and easy.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ALGID. 

Possible Answers:

Feverish and cold

Reserved and timid

Happy and serene

Hot and bothered

Amiable and outgoing

Correct answer:

Feverish and cold

Explanation:

The term, “algid,” is used to describe an episode experienced during a fever where the individual feels cold and clammy. The best answer is “feverish and cold.” For clarification, "amiable" means friendly; "timid" means shy; "serene" means peaceful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

BLOATED.

Possible Answers:

Swollen

Effervescent

Skinny

Diminished 

Forlorn 

Correct answer:

Swollen

Explanation:

If something is “bloated” it is fat and swollen. For clarification, "effervescent" means bubbly and energetic; "forlorn" means to feel sad and pitiful; "diminished" means made smaller.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PERCEPTIBLE

Possible Answers:

harsh

passable

morose

obvious

detectable

Correct answer:

detectable

Explanation:

"Perceptible" means able to be noticed, or detectable.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

Synonyms

Immaculate

Possible Answers:

Malodoruous

Trite

Clean

Odious

Rancid

Correct answer:

Clean

Explanation:

"Immaculate" means clean. Odious means extremely unpleasant; rancid means rotten; malodorous means bad odor; and trite means overused.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

Radiant

Possible Answers:

Abundant

Bright

Sullen

Disrespectful

Gloomy

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

"Radiant" means bright; gloomy and sullen means dark or depressing; abundant means a lot; disrespectful means rude or impolite.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

DERELICT

Possible Answers:

Confused

Skillful

Tiresome

Abandoned

Salient

Correct answer:

Abandoned

Explanation:

"Derelict" means run-down or abandoned. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "derelict": "tiresome" means exhausting or annoying; "skillful" means talented; "confused" means bewildered; and "salient" means relevant or overt.

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