SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MERRY

Possible Answers:

Jolly

Engaged

Obese

Spiritual

Fanatic

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

"Merry" is used to describe someone or something that is happy and pleasant. One might write, "His neighbors adored his merry, upbeat attitude."

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Wise

Sullen

Excessive

Jocular

Apathetic

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Peaceful

Uninterested

Corresponding

Challenging

Snobbish

Correct answer:

Uninterested

Explanation:

"Apathetic" means indifferent, emotionless, or "uninterested."

Example Question #891 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Charged

Disastrous 

Substantial

Energetic

Distant

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

"Aloof" means remote in manner, or "distant."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

BLITHE

Possible Answers:

Hurried

Candid

Isolated

Joyful

Adopted

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

"Blithe" means joyful, so the correct answer is "joyful."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DESPONDENT

Possible Answers:

Ultimate

Rigid

Bespectacled

Sheer

Hopeless

Correct answer:

Hopeless

Explanation:

"Despondent" means feeling hopeless.  

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

CORDIAL 

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Stuffy

Courtly

Proper

Seasonal

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

"Cordial" means warm and open. (Example: "The hostess was very cordial towards her guests, offering them tea and cookies.") The word closest in meaning to "cordial" is therefore "friendly," the best answer choice.

Example Question #931 : Synonyms

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

VORACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Edible

Indignant

Ravenous

Delicious

Explicit

Correct answer:

Ravenous

Explanation:

"Voracious" is an adjective that means wanting or devouring great quantities of something, often food. So, we're looking for an adjective that has to do with food and specifically means extremely hungry. Three of the listed answer choices have to do with food: "edible" means able to be eaten, so it's not a synonym of "voracious." "Delicious" means pleasant to the taste, so it is also not a synonym of "voracious." "Ravenous," which means extremely hungry, is a synonym of "voracious," so it is the best answer choice.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Scalding

Unenthusiastic

Invested

Frigid

Stagnant

Correct answer:

Unenthusiastic

Explanation:

You may have seen the word tepid paired with the water in the past and assumed that it meant frigid (cold), stagnant (standing still), or Scalding (extremely hot), but the word actually means lukewarm or unenthusiastic.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Observant

Gloomy

Curved

Quiet

Enthusiastic

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

Keen means showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

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