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 #13 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

BENIGN

Possible Answers:

Harmless 

Hurtful 

Hopeful 

Hopeless 

Harmful 

Correct answer:

Harmless 

Explanation:

A disease that is "benign" is harmless. A situation can also be benign or harmless. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "harmless": "harmful" is an antonym of "harmless" and means causing harm; "hurtful" means causing emotional hurt; "hopeful" means optimistic; and "hopeless" means without hope.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

LADEN

Possible Answers:

Bewildered 

Flummoxed 

Baffled

Burdened 

Juxtapose

Correct answer:

Burdened 

Explanation:

"Laden" means heavily burdened. For clarification, "juxtapose" means to put two different things together, and the other three answer choices are all synonyms of one another and mean confused.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ADVERSE

Possible Answers:

Outlandish

Pretentious

Unorthodox

Portentous 

Unfavorable 

Correct answer:

Unfavorable 

Explanation:

A situation or conditions that are "adverse" are unfavorable and undesirable. So, "unfavorable" is the correct answer. For clarification, "unorthodox" means not conforming to typical norms, "outlandish" means bizarre and extravagant, "portentous" means ominious and foreboding, and "pretentious" means arrogant.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

DESTITUTE

Possible Answers:

Honest

Brave

Wealthy

Amiable

Indigent

Correct answer:

Indigent

Explanation:

Someone who is "destitute" is very poor and lacking necessary possessions, so "indigent," a word which means very poor, is the correct answer. For clarification, "wealthy" means having a lot of money or rich, "amiable" means friendly, "honest" means truthful, and "brave" means courageous.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Frugal 

Dull 

Interesting 

Glorious 

Frightening

Correct answer:

Dull 

Explanation:

"Insipid" means dull, boring and uninspired, so "dull" is the correct answer. For clarification, "frightening" means scary, "frugal" means thrifty, "glorious" means famous or wonderful, and "interesting" means holding one's attention.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

CONTENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Controversial

Laden 

Umbrage 

Apathetic 

Kinetic 

Correct answer:

Controversial

Explanation:

"Contentious" means causing disagreement, debatable or controversial. For clarification, "apathetic" means not caring or unemotional; "kinetic" is an adjective that means relating to movement, "laden" means burdened, and "umbrage" is a feeling or resentment or offense.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PROFANE

Possible Answers:

Miserly 

Demanding 

Vociferous 

Polite 

Disrespectful

Correct answer:

Disrespectful

Explanation:

"Profane" language is rude and disrespectful. For clarification, "miserly" means not generous; "vociferous" means loud and vocal.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

OUTLANDISH

Possible Answers:

Exquisite

Comely 

Bizarre 

Inspiring 

Famous 

Correct answer:

Bizarre 

Explanation:

Something that is "outlandish" is bizarre and eccentric, so "bizarre," an adjective that means strange, is the correct answer. For clarification, "exquisite" means very beautiful, "comely" means attractive, "inspiring" means encouraging or motivating, and "famous" means well-known or prominent.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

SINISTER

Possible Answers:

Filthy

Fearful

Stiff

Evil

Sturdy

Correct answer:

Evil

Explanation:

"Sinister" means evil or harmful, so "evil" is the correct answer. None of the answer choices are close in meaning to "sinister": "fearful" means being and appearing scared or frightened; "stiff" means rigid and inflexible; "sturdy" means strong and robust; and "filthy" means dirty or disgusting.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PROSPEROUS

Possible Answers:

Innocuous 

Wealthy 

Parsimonious 

Shiny

Detrimental 

Correct answer:

Wealthy 

Explanation:

Someone who is "prosperous" is wealthy and successful, so "wealthy" is the correct answer. For clarification, "parsimonious" means not generous, and "innocuous" means innocent or not harmful and is an antonym of "detrimental," which means causing harm.

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