SSAT Middle Level Verbal : SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #327 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PIERCING

Possible Answers:

Punishing

Chilly

Swift

Keen

Monotonous

Correct answer:

Keen

Explanation:

"Keen" and "piercing" both mean sharp, penetrating, or biting. "Chilly" means cool, either figuratively or literally, and swift means quick. "Monotonous," on the other hand, means dull, repetitious, tedious, and uninteresting.

Example Question #328 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FUCHSIA

Possible Answers:

Savory

Pink

Turgid

Lukewarm

Beautiful

Correct answer:

Pink

Explanation:

"Fuchsia" is a purplish pink color. "Savory" means appetizing and good tasting; "lukewarm" describes the temperature between hot and cold (room temperature). "Turgid" means stiff or swollen. "Beautiful" means very pretty or otherwise aesthetically pleasing.

Example Question #329 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRANSPARENT

Possible Answers:

Broken

Clear

Murky

Rigid

Optimistic

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

Something "transparent" either allows light to pass through it or is easy to perceive. "Optimistic", the opposite of pessimistic, means having a positive and hopeful outlook. "Broken" means not working, not functional. "Murky" can mean dark and gloomy or it can mean unclear and not well explained. "Rigid" means stiff and unbending.

Example Question #330 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DRAB

Possible Answers:

Tiny

Dull

Corrugated

Vigorous

Minuscule

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Drab" means dreary, dull, and/or uninteresting. "Tiny" and "minuscule" both mean very small. "Corrugated" describes a ridged or grooved material. "Vigorous" means strong and energetic.

Example Question #341 : Synonyms

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

CERULEAN

Possible Answers:

Cerise

Oceanic

Blue

Royal

Fruitful

Correct answer:

Blue

Explanation:

"Cerulean" is a deep shade of blue. "Fruitful" means yielding literal fruit or figurative results, and "oceanic" is an adjective that describes something as similar to the ocean (which may well be a cerulean color!). "Royal" is an adjective that describes kings, queens, or other monarchs, and "cerise" is a cherry-colored shade of red.

Example Question #342 : Synonyms

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

GAUDY

Possible Answers:

Stressful

Showy

Opaque

Tasteful

Distressing

Correct answer:

Showy

Explanation:

"Gaudy" means overly and excessively bright, showy, and tasteless. "Showy" describes something that is flashy or striking in a way that calls too much attention to itself, and "opaque," the opposite of transparent, describes any material that cannot be seen through. "Distressing" and "stressful" both signify things that cause anxiety, worry, or stress.

Example Question #351 : Synonyms

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

PRISTINE

Possible Answers:

Beautiful

Tainted

Defunct

Unspoiled

Solid

Correct answer:

Unspoiled

Explanation:

"Pristine" means unspoiled, perfect, or untouched.

"Solid" means hard, firm or stable. "Solid" is also a noun that means the state of matter that is not liquid or gas.

"Defunct" means not functioning or nonexistent.

"Tainted" means impure, dirty, or contaminated.

"Beautiful" means pleasing to the senses or physically attractive.

Example Question #352 : Synonyms

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

NOXIOUS

Possible Answers:

Harmful

Gaseous

Opulent

Beneficial

Delicious

Correct answer:

Harmful

Explanation:

"Noxious" means harmful, poisonous or something that will cause injury or death.

"Delicious" means very tasty, delightful or pleasant.

"Gaseous" means gas-like, or describes something that is in the form of gas or vapor.

"Beneficial" means good, helpful or useful.

"Opulent" means excessively luxurious, or ostentatious.

Example Question #353 : Synonyms

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

GNARLED

Possible Answers:

Translucent

Pneumatic

Granular

Misshapen

Incoherent

Correct answer:

Misshapen

Explanation:

"Gnarled" means misshapen, or knobby and lumpen. The word is often used to describe the quality of wood.

"Pneumatic" means related to air or compressed gas. For example, a pneumatic cannon is a cannon powered by compressed air. 

"Translucent" means clear or something you can see-through.

"Incoherent" means confused or difficult to understand.

"Granular" means composed of small granules or particles.

Example Question #354 : Synonyms

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

SOUR

Possible Answers:

Sweet

Husky

Swarthy

Tart

Quizzical

Correct answer:

Tart

Explanation:

"Sour" and "tart" both describe a mouth-puckering taste. "Swarthy" means dark-skinned, "husky" means strong and robust, and "quizzical" means puzzled. "Sweet" and "sour" are generally considered antonyms.

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