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 #67 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

SURLY

Possible Answers:

Jumpy

Stubborn

Humorous

Rude or hostile

Ignorant

Correct answer:

Rude or hostile

Explanation:

"Surly" means "rude or hostile," irritable

"Humorous" means being funny or comical.

"Jumpy" means nervous or subject to sudden, involuntary starts.

"Stubborn" means headstrong, or unreasonably set in purpose or opinion.

"Ignorant" means lacking in knowledge or training.

Example Question #68 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ENIGMATIC

Possible Answers:

Stupid

Puzzling

Untrustworthy

Deceitful

Mischievous 

Correct answer:

Puzzling

Explanation:

"Enigmatic" means "puzzling" or mysterious.

"Deceitful" means prone to lying or deceit.

"Mischievous" means maliciously or playfully annoying.

"Stupid" means lacking ordinary mental quickness.

"Untrustworthy" means not deserving or trust or confidence.

Example Question #69 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

UNSCRUPULOUS

Possible Answers:

Cruel

Malicious

Stern

Devout

Without conscience

Correct answer:

Without conscience

Explanation:

"Unscrupulous" means "without conscience" or unprincipled.

"Stern" means strict, harsh, or uncompromising.

"Cruel" means willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others.

"Malicious" means intentionally harmful or spiteful.

"Devout" means sincerely religious, earnest, pious.

Example Question #70 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

COURTEOUS

Possible Answers:

Exuberant

Polite

Princely

Restrained

Flirtatious

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Courteous" means "polite," well mannered or respectful.

None of the other words are synonyms of courteous:

"Exuberant" means to be filled with excitement.

"Flirtatious" means to suggest playful attraction to someone.

"Princely" means splendid or related to a prince.

"Restrained" means unemotional, moderate and reserved.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Stoic

Musical

Steadfast in one's beliefs

Frequently changing loyalties

Sentimental

Correct answer:

Frequently changing loyalties

Explanation:

"Fickle" means frequently changing loyalties, interests or allegiances.

"Sentimental" means predisposed to feeling tender, sad, or nostalgic. "Stoic" means experiencing pain or hardship without showing your feelings. "Musical" means related to music, or melodious. "Steadfast" in one's beliefs means committed to your beliefs.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Very passionate

Quirky

Ornery

Crazed

Jealous

Correct answer:

Very passionate

Explanation:

"Zealous" is an adjective that refers to a person who is "very passionate" or is fanatical or extremely committed to some cause. 

"Ornery" means bad tempered, grouchy and headstrong. "Quirky" means peculiar or having unusual qualities. "Crazed" means insane or very excited. "Jealous" means being envious of someone because of his or her desirable traits or advantages. 

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MEEK

Possible Answers:

Kind

Submissive

Belligerent

Attractive

Garrulous

Correct answer:

Submissive

Explanation:

"Meek" is an adjective which means submissive, quiet or the quality of being easily imposed on.

"Garrulous" means excessively chatty. "Attractive" means sensorily pleasing. "Kind" means being benevolent or good. "Belligerent" means being hostile and malicious. 

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TACTFUL

Possible Answers:

Spirited

Reliable

Cruel

Generous

Polite

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Tactful" means polite or diplomatic when dealing with other people.

"Generous" means ready to give more money or time than expected. "Reliable" means dependable or consistently good quality. "Cruel" means intentionally causing suffering and not feeling remorse. "Spirited" means energetic, enthusiastic and vivacious.

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DIDACTIC

Possible Answers:

Dexterous

Studious

Emboldened

Boring

Overly instructive

Correct answer:

Overly instructive

Explanation:

"Didactic" means overly instructive or prone to teaching and explaining

None of the other words are synonymous with didactic.

'Emboldened' means made brave or made bolder.

"Studious" is the trait of enjoying studying and being an intellectual. While studious is related to the concept of being didactic, they are not synonymous.

"Boring" means not interesting, or something that does not hold your attention.

"Dexterous" means agile or skillful with your hands.

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Disrespectful 

Distrustful 

Vapid 

Reverent 

Mild-mannered 

Correct answer:

Disrespectful 

Explanation:

Insolence refers to disobedience, and insolent is the corresponding adjective. It can also be described as showing disrespect. A "reverent" attitude would be roughly opposite to an "insolent" one.

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