SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #431 : Synonyms

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

SEVERE

Possible Answers:

Calm

Serious

Hail

Excellent

Concern

Correct answer:

Serious

Explanation:

"Severe" means very bad or very serious, so "serious" is the best match. "Calm" is the opposite, meaning free from disturbance, "excellent" means great or fantastic, "hail" is a weather phenomenon in which small lumps of ice fall from the sky, and "concern" is a feeling of sympathy.

Example Question #432 : Synonyms

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

AILING

Possible Answers:

Wealthy 

Healthy 

Ill

Destitute 

Poor 

Correct answer:

Ill

Explanation:

"Ailing" means sick or hurt; it is an antonym of "healthy." So, "ill," which means sick, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "ailing": "destitute" and "poor" are synonyms that both mean lacking money; they are both antonyms of "wealthy," which means having lots of money.

Example Question #433 : Synonyms

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

VITAL

Possible Answers:

Extreme

Flood

Interior

Vexed

Important

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

VITAL means significant or important.

Example Question #434 : Synonyms

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

LITTLE

Possible Answers:

Colossal

Lost

Miniature

Urban

Figurine

Correct answer:

Miniature

Explanation:

"Little" means small, and since "miniature" is defined as small or smaller than a regular-sized version of something, "miniature" is the best answer choice! To help you determine the correct answer, take a look at the prefix of miniature, which is "mini-" meaning small. "Colossal" is also an antonym of "little."

Example Question #435 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

RIGOROUS

Possible Answers:

Choleric 

Demanding 

Unflinching 

Belligerent 

Disgusting 

Correct answer:

Demanding 

Explanation:

“Rigorous” means very strict and difficult and comes from the word "rigor," meaning strictness or harshness. “Demanding” is similar in meaning, as a task that is demanding, such as a test, is usually very strict and difficult. To further help you, if someone is “unflinching” they are not scared; “belligerent” means hostile; “choleric” means angry or irritable.

Example Question #436 : Synonyms

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

FEASIBLE

Possible Answers:

Winnable

Saleable

Malleable

Possible

Unable

Correct answer:

Possible

Explanation:

“Feasible” means capable of being done, so something that is "feasible" is possible. To further help you, “malleable” means capable of being molded or formed. Notice how the suffixes -"ible" and ­"-able" both mean able to be done.

Example Question #437 : Synonyms

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

FATIGUED

Possible Answers:

Reversed

Fat

Expanded

Spent

Dry

Correct answer:

Spent

Explanation:

If you are “fatigued,” you are tired or exhausted. “Spent” can mean tired or exhausted, as in “I jogged for hours and feel spent.” Do not mistake “fatigued” for fat or large despite the beginning of the word. “Fatigued” comes from the French "fatigue," whilst "fat" comes from the German or Anglo-Saxon "fett." To further help you, “expanded” means made bigger; “reversed” means sent back in the opposite direction. 

Example Question #438 : Synonyms

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Powerless

Substantial

Meaningful

Powerful

Meaningless

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

Something that is "potent" is extremely efficient and powerful, so "powerful" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "potent": "meaningful" means important or significant; "meaningless" means not important or not significant; "powerless" means not having the ability to change something or alter a situation; and "substantial" means significant.

Example Question #439 : Synonyms

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

COVERT

Possible Answers:

Trustworthy 

Dishonest 

Secretive 

Honest 

Open 

Correct answer:

Secretive 

Explanation:

Something that is "covert" is highly secretive, so "secretive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "dishonest" means not honest, and "trustworthy" means deserving of trust or responsible.

Example Question #440 : Synonyms

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

EERIE

Possible Answers:

Spooky

Sparkly

Content

Frightened

Aural

Correct answer:

Spooky

Explanation:

Since "eerie" is an adjective that means "strange and frightening," we need to find another word that also means "strange and frightening." While "frightened" might look like a good answer choice because someone might be frightened if they see something eerie, "frightened" cannot be the correct answer because it does not mean "strange and frightening." "Spooky," on the other hand, means "strange and frightening," so it is the correct answer.

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