SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #791 : Synonyms

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

HEX

Possible Answers:

Hullabaloo

Iniquity

Brevity

Disparity

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 #792 : Synonyms

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

SEMBLANCE

Possible Answers:

Appearance

Paucity

Antipathy

Euphoria

Currency

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:

exotic

floral

rude

slim

artistic

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:

Breezy 

Life-like 

Movable 

Ghostly 

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 And Adverbs

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

ALGID. 

Possible Answers:

Feverish and cold

Reserved and timid

Hot and bothered

Happy and serene

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 #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BLOATED.

Possible Answers:

Swollen

Skinny

Forlorn 

Effervescent

Diminished 

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 And Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PERCEPTIBLE

Possible Answers:

morose

detectable

obvious

passable

harsh

Correct answer:

detectable

Explanation:

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

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

Immaculate

Possible Answers:

Clean

Malodoruous

Rancid

Odious

Trite

Correct answer:

Clean

Explanation:

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

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

Radiant

Possible Answers:

Sullen

Bright

Disrespectful

Gloomy

Abundant

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 #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DERELICT

Possible Answers:

Tiresome

Skillful

Abandoned

Confused

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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