SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AILING

Possible Answers:

Sick

Uncomfortable

Tired

Happy

Joyous

Correct answer:

Sick

Explanation:

The adjective "ailing" means sick, unwell, unhealthy, struggling with something. Additionally, "joyous" is a synonym of "happy" it means very happy.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

HESITANT

Possible Answers:

Uncertain

Desirable

Forbidden

Sacred

Dormant

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

The adjective "hesitant" means uncertain, reluctant to do something, unsure and unwilling to act. Additionally, "sacred" means holy, of religious importance to someone; "dormant" means at rest, inactive, asleep; "desirable" means wanted, able to be desired; "forbidden" means prohibited, not allowed, against the rules.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TRAUMATIC

Possible Answers:

Motivating

Jovial

Supreme

Upsetting

Irritating

Correct answer:

Upsetting

Explanation:

The adjective "traumatic" means distressing, upsetting, causing someone to feel long lasting pain and suffering. Additionally, "motivating" means inspiring, causing someone to want to do something; "irritating" means annoying; "jovial" means cheerful, good-natured; "supreme" means ultimate, best, the greatest.

Example Question #144 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ELEGIAC

Possible Answers:

Sorrowful

Important

Joyful

Excitable

Austere

Correct answer:

Sorrowful

Explanation:

"Elegiac" means funereal.

"Important" means valuable, influential, relevant.

"Austere" means rigid, somber or grim.

"Joyful" means feeling happiness or euphoria, being lighthearted.

"Excitable" means easily upset, high-strung or passionate.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

avoiding the company of others

suspicious

wise

extroverted

coiled

Correct answer:

avoiding the company of others

Explanation:

Reclusive means to avoid the company of others.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms

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

PASSIVE

 

Possible Answers:

vocal

dominant

submissive

insightful

filled with holes

Correct answer:

submissive

Explanation:

Passive means submissive.

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

vocal

light

reserved

invisible

quick

Correct answer:

reserved

Explanation:

Aloof means someone is reserved.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “dour” is __________.

Possible Answers:

persuasive

cheerful

belligerent

unnoticed

grim

Correct answer:

grim

Explanation:

“Dour” is an adjective that means “relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “severe,” “stern,” or “gloomy.” That means that “cheerful” cannot be the correct answer, because “cheerful” is an adjective that can mean either “noticeably happy and optimistic” or “causing happiness by its nature or appearance,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “dour.” “Grim,” however, is an adjective that can mean “ unrelentingly harsh; merciless or severe,” and because “grim” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “dour,” “grim” is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of “haughty” is __________.

Possible Answers:

proud

humble

plaintive

serendipitous

neurotic

Correct answer:

proud

Explanation:

“Haughty” is an adjective that means “arrogantly superior and disdainful.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “disdainful.” That means that “humble” cannot be the correct answer, because “humble” is an adjective that means “having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “haughty.” “Proud,” however, is an adjective that can mean “having or showing a high or excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance,” and because “proud” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “haughty,” “proud” is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the words that are most similar in meaning.

Furtive

Possible Answers:

Memorable

Refurbished

Symbolic

Stealthy

Receding

Correct answer:

Stealthy

Explanation:

"Furtive" means stealthy, sly, or shifty.

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