SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SCINTILLATING

Possible Answers:

Dreary

Distinct

Sparkling

Capacious

Cruel

Correct answer:

Sparkling

Explanation:

"Scintillating" means sparkling or shiny. "Dreary," a near opposite, means dull and depressing. "Distinct" means distinguishable or easily recognizable and different from other things; "cruel" means intentionally and carelessly causing pain to others. "Capacious" means roomy or full of space, as in a capacious cavern or ballroom.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PIERCING

Possible Answers:

Swift

Monotonous

Keen

Punishing

Chilly

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 #53 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FUCHSIA

Possible Answers:

Pink

Lukewarm

Savory

Beautiful

Turgid

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 #54 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TRANSPARENT

Possible Answers:

Rigid

Optimistic

Broken

Murky

Clear

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 #55 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DRAB

Possible Answers:

Dull

Corrugated

Vigorous

Tiny

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 #56 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CERULEAN

Possible Answers:

Cerise

Royal

Blue

Fruitful

Oceanic

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 #57 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GAUDY

Possible Answers:

Tasteful

Stressful

Distressing

Showy

Opaque

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 #58 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PRISTINE

Possible Answers:

Defunct

Solid

Tainted

Unspoiled

Beautiful

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 #59 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

NOXIOUS

Possible Answers:

Delicious

Gaseous

Harmful

Opulent

Beneficial

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 #60 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GNARLED

Possible Answers:

Translucent

Incoherent

Pneumatic

Misshapen

Granular

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.

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