SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #821 : Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Unhealthy

Business-like

Commandeering

Intelligent

Portly

Correct answer:

Portly

Explanation:

Corpulent literally means fat, or having a large body. The only one of the answer choices that means fat is "portly."

You may have seen the root "corp" and thought of words like corporation or corporal, but the root of each of those words actually has to do with the Latin word "corpus," which literally means body.

Example Question #822 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

PELLUCID

Possible Answers:

Awful

Crimson

Voluntary

Extravagant

Clear

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

"Pellucid" means clear or transparent. The root word "lucere" means to shine in Latin. So, the best answer choice is "clear."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

OPAQUE

Possible Answers:

Clear

Lucid

Nontransparent

Limpid

Cloudy

Correct answer:

Nontransparent

Explanation:

"Opaque" is an adjective meaning "not able to be seen through; not transparent," or when referring to language, "hard or impossible to understand; unfathomable." "Cloudy" and "not transparent" may each seem like a potentially correct answer. While something that is cloudy may also be opaque, "nontransparent" is the correct answer because its meaning is the closest of the potential answer choices to that of "opaque."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

INCANDESCENT

Possible Answers:

Burning

Intelligent

Cozy

Burdensome

Partial

Correct answer:

Burning

Explanation:

Incandescent means emitting light because of heat, or burning.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

COMMODIOUS

Possible Answers:

Spacious

Generous

Toilet

Friendly

Nasty

Correct answer:

Spacious

Explanation:

A place that is commodious is open, roomy, or spacious.

Example Question #823 : Synonyms

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Frightening

Funny

Deadly

Sheer

Cold

Correct answer:

Sheer

Explanation:

"Diaphanous" is a word used to describe something that is filmy, transparent, light, or airy; so, the synonym is "sheer," in the sense of a cloth that is sheer, meaning you can see through it.

Example Question #824 : Synonyms

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

DERELICT

Possible Answers:

Running late 

Under budget 

Lost the way 

Broken down 

On the up 

Correct answer:

Broken down 

Explanation:

“Derelict” is an adjective used to describe something that is deserted, neglected or broken down. Synonyms include rundown, dilapidated, ruined, abandoned etc.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Lukewarm

Honorable

Escalating

Mindful

Dark

Correct answer:

Lukewarm

Explanation:

Tepid means lukewarm.  

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ARID

Possible Answers:

Marked

Clandestine

Tentative

Burly 

Dry

Correct answer:

Dry

Explanation:

Arid means dry.  

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ARID

Possible Answers:

Weak

Commendable

Shocking

Dry

Malleable

Correct answer:

Dry

Explanation:

Arid means extremely dry.

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