All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #495 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CAPRICIOUS
Mercurial
Destructive
Consistent
Fluent
Infallible
Mercurial
“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 #496 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLUCKY
Severe
Afraid
Oblivious
Intrepid
Particular
Intrepid
“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 #1281 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LOFTY
Ostentatious
Extravagant
Unwelcoming
Gregarious
Proud
Proud
"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 #1282 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
VICIOUS
Obedient
Violent
Helpful
Stubborn
Cooperative
Violent
"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 #1283 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INTREPID
Adventurous
Susceptible
Timid
Ingrained
Poor
Adventurous
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 #500 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONGENIAL
Generous
Disagreeable
Agreeable
Portentous
Avaricious
Agreeable
"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 #1284 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
A synonym of "devious" is __________.
perspicacious
jocular
naïve
deceitful
amiable
deceitful
"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 #1285 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
IMPUDENT
Timid
Urbane
Sassy
Reticent
Debonair
Sassy
"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 #503 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NEGLIGENT
Vociferous
Blunt
Responsible
Lax
Determined
Lax
“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.
Example Question #1286 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SURLY
Rude or hostile
Jumpy
Stubborn
Ignorant
Humorous
Rude or hostile
"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.
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