SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

UNDERGROUND

Possible Answers:

Buried

Cosmic

Angelic

Above

Heavenly

Correct answer:

Buried

Explanation:

The adjective "cosmic" refers to something in the sky. "Heavenly" and "angelic" are closely related in meaning. "Above" is the opposite of "under," which is the root of the word "underground." The word "underground" is closest in meaning to the word "buried."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

LAST

Possible Answers:

First

Final

Foremost

Quick

Speedy

Correct answer:

Final

Explanation:

We can arrive at the correct answer using process of elimination. The words "quick" and "speedy" both mean exactly the same thing. They refer to something that is fast. Both of these words cannot be the correct answer, so it is best to eliminate these two choices. The word "first" means the opposite of "last." The word "foremost also means first; consider the common expression "first and foremost." This only leaves the word "final." "Last" and "final" are synonymous.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

INWARD

Possible Answers:

Outdoor

Inside

Open

Outside

Underground

Correct answer:

Inside

Explanation:

The words "inward" and "inside" are synonymous; both words are used to describe a direction headed to the interior of something. "Underground" refers to something that is under the ground. The words "outside" and "outdoor" mean the same thing. And the word "open" refers to something that is "accessible."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Which word could have similar meaning to the one that is underlined in the sentence?

The ancient Spartans were known for their severe and laconic ways.

Possible Answers:

concise

easy

simple

kind

talkative

Correct answer:

concise

Explanation:

"Laconic" means concise and to the point, using few words.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the word which is most similar to the word in capital letters.

NAÏVE

Possible Answers:

Easily controlled

Easily learned

Easily beaten

Easily fooled

Easily earned

Correct answer:

Easily fooled

Explanation:

“Naïve” means innocent, easily tricked and fooled by other people.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of "wily" is . . .

Possible Answers:

sly

snarky

talkative

sneak

oblivious

Correct answer:

sly

Explanation:

"Wily" is an adjective that means "skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "sneaky." While "sneak" is a potential answer choice, it is a verb, so it can't be the correct answer, because we are looking for an adjective. While "snarky" may also look like a potentially correct answer, "snarky" means "sharply critical; cutting; snide." Since it doesn't mean the same thing as "wily," it can't be the correct answer either. "Sly," however, is an adjective that means "having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature," and because it is closest in meaning to "wily," "sly" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of "amiable" is . . .

Possible Answers:

essential

frugal

intellectual

cordial

mean

Correct answer:

cordial

Explanation:

"Amiable" is an adjective that means "having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "friendly." Since "cordial" means "warm and friendly," "cordial" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "amiable," and the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “enchanting” is __________.

Possible Answers:

exact

large

boring

scholarly

delightful

Correct answer:

delightful

Explanation:

“Enchanting,” when used as an adjective, means “delightfully charming or attractive,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “charming.” That means that “boring” cannot be the correct answer, because “boring” means “not interesting,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “enchanting.” “Delightful,” however, is an adjective that means “causing delight; charming,” and because “delightful” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “enchanting,” “delightful” is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “squeamish” is __________.

Possible Answers:

part of

hard to mislead

hard to gross out

easily nauseated

often misled

Correct answer:

easily nauseated

Explanation:

“Squeamish” is an adjective that when being used to describe a person, can mean “easily made to feel sick, faint, or disgusted; having strong moral views.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “easily made to feel sick” or “having strong moral views.” That means that “hard to gross out” cannot be the correct answer, because “hard to gross out” means the opposite of “squeamish.” “Nauseated,” however, is an adjective that means “sickened; affected with nausea,” and because “easily nauseated, is the answer choice closest in meaning to “squeamish,” “easily nauseated” is the correct answer.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “stubborn” is . . .

Possible Answers:

dreary

obedient

difficult

persuasive

imaginative

Correct answer:

difficult

Explanation:

“Stubborn” is an adjective that can mean “having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “determined not to change one’s attitude or position on something.” That means that “obedient” cannot be the correct answer, because “obedient” means “complying or willing to comply with orders or requests; submissive to another’s will,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “stubborn.” “Difficult,” however, is an adjective that means “not willing to help others by changing your behavior : stubborn or unreasonable,” and because “difficult” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “stubborn,” “difficult” is the correct answer.

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