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 #737 : Identifying Synonyms

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AWKWARDLY

Possible Answers:

Wisely

Worldly

Awesome

Awfully

Weirdly

Correct answer:

Weirdly

Explanation:

"Awkwardly" and "weirdly" are adverbs which describe an odd manner of acting. The other answer choices do not share this meaning. "Worldly" describes a wise and experienced person.

Example Question #738 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERILOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Unhappily

Dangerously

Seductively

Joyfully

Savagely

Correct answer:

Dangerously

Explanation:

"Peril" means danger, so something done in a perilous manner is done in a dangerous manner. "Seductive" means attractive, and "savage" means wild. "Unhappily" and "joyfully" are antonyms.

Example Question #739 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LONGINGLY

Possible Answers:

Quizzically

Nostalgically

Curiously

Sporadically

Habitually

Correct answer:

Nostalgically

Explanation:

To be "nostalgic" is to feel longing for a person, place, or past time. "Habitually" means regularly and is an antonym for "sporadically," or irregularly. "Quizzical" means questioning or inquiring. "Curiously" means eagerly, inquisitively, or strangely.

Example Question #740 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TORTUOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Excruciatingly

Smilingly

Painfully

Heroically

Windingly

Correct answer:

Windingly

Explanation:

"Tortuous" and "winding" are synonyms; both mean full of twists and turns. "Painful" and "excruciating" are both good synonyms for "torturous," which is easy to confuse with tortuous. "Smilingly" means done in a glad manner. "Heroically" means in a heroic or brave manner.

Example Question #741 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DRABLY

Possible Answers:

Greenly

Dully

Brightly

Pessimistically

Cheerily

Correct answer:

Dully

Explanation:

"Drab" means dull or colorless and is an antonym of "bright." "Cheery" means optimistic or happy and is an antonym of "pessimistic." Because "green" is a specific color, it's obviously not a good fit for a word that means "colorless."

Example Question #742 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPERATIVELY

Possible Answers:

Royally

Minutely

Gigantically

Importantly

Lovingly

Correct answer:

Importantly

Explanation:

Something "imperative" is very important or essential. Something "minute" is tiny; something "gigantic" is huge. "Royal" and "imperious" are both words related to ruling, so it would be easy to confuse "imperious" (commanding, arrogant) with imperative. "Lovingly" and "tenderly" are synonyms.

Example Question #743 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRODUCTIVELY

Possible Answers:

Passively

Finally

Perilously

Concurrently

Fruitfully

Correct answer:

Fruitfully

Explanation:

To be "productive" is to be fruitful or bear many results. "Concurrent" means happening at the same time as another event; "final" means coming at the end. "Passively" and "actively" are antonyms. "Perilously" (dangerously) and "safely" are also antonyms.

Example Question #744 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARROGANTLY

Possible Answers:

Bravely

Hastily

Tidily

Haughtily

Triumphantly

Correct answer:

Haughtily

Explanation:

Someone "arrogant" is haughty, stuck up, or conceited. Something "hasty" is hurried, something "tidy" is neat and orderly, and something "triumphant" is victorious. "Brave" is a good synonym for "courageous."

Example Question #745 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MYSTERIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Glumly

Enigmatically

Cleverly

Wittily

Hauntingly

Correct answer:

Enigmatically

Explanation:

Another name for a "mystery" is an enigma. While "mysteries" may be "haunting" (emotional or eerie), the two words are not necessarily synonymous. "Cleverly" and "wittily" are synonyms. "Glum" means dejected or gloomy.

Example Question #746 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SHODDILY

Possible Answers:

Gloomily

Impoverished

Cheaply

Dingily

Childishly

Correct answer:

Cheaply

Explanation:

"Shoddy" work is work that is cheaply or poorly made. "Dingy" means gloomy and dark. "Childish" and "mature" are near antonyms, as are "wealthy" and "impoverished."

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