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 #495 : Synonyms

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

CAPRICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Mercurial

Destructive

Consistent

Fluent

Infallible

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 #496 : Synonyms

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

PLUCKY

Possible Answers:

Severe

Afraid

Oblivious

Intrepid

Particular

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 #1281 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

LOFTY

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious 

Extravagant

Unwelcoming

Gregarious 

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 #1282 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

VICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Obedient

Violent

Helpful

Stubborn

Cooperative

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 #1283 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

INTREPID

Possible Answers:

Adventurous 

Susceptible

Timid 

Ingrained 

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 #500 : Synonyms

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

CONGENIAL

Possible Answers:

Generous 

Disagreeable

Agreeable

Portentous 

Avaricious

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 #1284 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

A synonym of "devious" is __________.

Possible Answers:

perspicacious

jocular

naïve

deceitful

amiable

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 #1285 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

IMPUDENT

Possible Answers:

Timid

Urbane

Sassy

Reticent

Debonair

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 #503 : Synonyms

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

NEGLIGENT

Possible Answers:

Vociferous

Blunt

Responsible

Lax

Determined

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.

Example Question #1286 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

SURLY

Possible Answers:

Rude or hostile

Jumpy

Stubborn

Ignorant

Humorous

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.

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