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 #201 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

WINSOME

Possible Answers:

Charming

Curious

Alert

Wordy

True

Correct answer:

Charming

Explanation:

"Winsome" means charming or engaging.

Example Question #202 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CAPRICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Destructive

Mercurial

Consistent

Infallible

Fluent

Correct answer:

Mercurial

Explanation:

“Capricious” is an adjective that means “given to sudden changes,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “given to sudden changes.” That means that “consistent” cannot be the correct answer, because “consistent” means “unchanging in achievement” when referring to a person, behavior, or process, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “capricious.” “Mercurial,” however, is an adjective that can mean “subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood” when describing a person. So, because “mercurial” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “capricious,” “mercurial” is the correct answer.

Example Question #203 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PLUCKY

Possible Answers:

Afraid

Severe

Intrepid

Particular

Oblivious

Correct answer:

Intrepid

Explanation:

“Plucky” is an adjective that means “having or showing determined courage in the face of difficulties,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “courageous.” That means that “afraid” cannot be the correct answer, because “afraid” means “feeling fear or anxiety; frightened,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “plucky.” “Intrepid,” however, is an adjective that means “fearless; adventurous,” and because “intrepid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “plucky,” “intrepid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1283 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

LOFTY

Possible Answers:

Gregarious 

Unwelcoming

Ostentatious 

Extravagant

Proud 

Correct answer:

Proud 

Explanation:

"Lofty" can mean either very high or exalted; however, in this instance it is used to mean haughty which is most similar in meaning to "proud." Answering this question relies on your knowledge of more than one definition of lofty. Remember it is important to always be aware of the secondary and tertiary meanings of words. For clarification, "gregarious" means outgoing; "ostentatious" and "extravagant" are synonyms that both describe something showy and luxurious.

Example Question #1284 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

VICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Stubborn

Violent

Cooperative

Obedient

Helpful

Correct answer:

Violent

Explanation:

"Vicious" means brutal or "violent." "Helpful" means a person who assists others or is supportive. "Cooperative" means able to work well with others. "Obedient" means compliant or willing to follow the orders or others. "Stubborn" means not willing to change one's viewpoint or course of action.

Example Question #1285 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

INTREPID

Possible Answers:

Timid 

Susceptible

Ingrained 

Adventurous 

Poor 

Correct answer:

Adventurous 

Explanation:

Someone who is "intrepid" is very enterprising and adventurous. For clarification, "timid" means shy and reserved; "ingrained" is something embedded or inbuilt; "susceptible" means vulnerable.

Example Question #204 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CONGENIAL

Possible Answers:

Portentous 

Generous 

Agreeable

Avaricious

Disagreeable

Correct answer:

Agreeable

Explanation:

"Congenial" means agreeable or friendly, so "agreeable," which means pleasant or amenable to something, is the correct answer. For clarification, "avaricious" means greedy, "portentous" means self-important or ominous, "generous" means liberal in giving, and "disagreeable" means not agreeable or unpleasant, as one might be able to infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "dis-" and the word "agreeable."

Example Question #1287 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

A synonym of "devious" is __________.

Possible Answers:

amiable

jocular

naïve

deceitful

perspicacious

Correct answer:

deceitful

Explanation:

"Devious" is an adjective that means "showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "underhanded." Naïve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because when used to describe people, naive either means "showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment," or "natural and unaffected; innocent," neither of which is synonymous with the meaning of "devious." "Deceitful," however, is an adjective that means "guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others," and because "deceitful" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "devious," "deceitful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1288 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

IMPUDENT

Possible Answers:

Sassy

Urbane

Timid

Debonair

Reticent

Correct answer:

Sassy

Explanation:

"Impudent" means boldly rude. "Urbane" and "debonair" both mean polite and sophisticated. Here's a hint: when solving synonym questions, eliminate answer choices that are synonyms of each other. "Timid" means shy, and "reticent" means not saying much. So, "sassy," which means cheeky, is the answer!

Example Question #205 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

NEGLIGENT

Possible Answers:

Responsible

Lax

Determined

Blunt

Vociferous

Correct answer:

Lax

Explanation:

“Negligent” is an adjective that means “failing to take proper care,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not doing something carefully.” That means that “responsible” cannot be the correct answer, because “responsible” means “capable of being trusted,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “negligent.” “Lax,” however, is an adjective that can mean “not sufficiently attentive,” and because “lax” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “negligent,” “lax” is the correct answer.

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