All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ELATED
Jubilant
Frigid
Friendly
Depressed
Tasty
Jubilant
"Elated" means very happy, so "jubilant," an adjective that means triumphant or gleeful, is the correct answer. "Depressed" is an antonym of "elated" and "jubilant"; it means sad and gloomy. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to that of "elated": "tasty" means delicious or flavorful; "frigid" means very cold; and "friendly" means amiable.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SHEEPISH
Embarassed
Swift
Sympathetic
Energetic
Flexible
Embarassed
"Sheepish" means embarrassed or uncomfortable, so "embarassed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sheepish": "swift" means rapid or quick; "energetic" means lively or having or showing a lot of energy; "sympathetic" means compassionate or understanding; and "flexible" means bendable.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MISERABLE
Unhappy
Grimy
Lethal
Sturdy
Joyful
Unhappy
"Miserable" means sad or unhappy, so "unhappy" is the correct answer. "Joyful" is an antonym of "miserable"; it means very happy or cheerful. "Lethal" means dangerous and possibly causing death. "Sturdy" means strong or robust. "Grimy" means filthy or dirty.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENVIOUS
Vapid
Jealous
Pesky
Familiar
Glorious
Jealous
"Envious" most nearly means jealous, as in "Admiring the movie star's gorgeous looks, Lori felt slightly envious of her beauty."
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SANGUINE
Beautiful
Dirty
Cheery
Smart
Calm
Cheery
"Sanguine" most nearly means cheery when faced with difficulty, as in "Despite the fact that his opponent had beaten him before, Gary remained sanguine about his chances of winning the race."
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGHAST
Calm
Awry
Alarmed
Ghastly
Prone
Alarmed
"Aghast" is an adjective that means stunned or horrified, so we need to find another adjective that means something that has to do with feeling shock or fear. While "ghastly" sounds like "aghast," it is an adjective that means terrible or shocking. Since "ghastly" does not mean the same thing as "aghast" ("shocking" doesn't mean the same thing as "shocked"), it can't be the right answer. "Alarmed," on the other hand, means frightened, and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "aghast," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTRITE
Content
Penitent
Tight
Pennant
Loose
Penitent
"Contrite" is an adjective that means "feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt," so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "feeling guilty." While "pennant" and "penitent" sound quite similar to one another, "pennant" is a noun meaning "a long, thin, pointed flag," while "penitent" is an adjective meaning "feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant." Because "penitent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrite," "penitent" is the correct answer.
Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTENT
Enormous
Paltry
Important
Extensive
Satisfied
Satisfied
"Content" means satisfied or happy; Extensive means thorough; Important means relevant; Paltry means of small amount; and Enormous means huge.
Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LONELY
Joyful
Chaotic
Friendless
Popular
Talkative
Friendless
"Lonely" describes someone who feels alone or is friendless, so "friendless" is the correct answer. "Popular" is an antonym of "lonely"; it describes someone who has many friends. "Talkative" is a synonym of garrulous and describes someone who talks a lot. "Joyful" means very happy. "Chaotic" means involving disorder or confusion.
Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AVID
Trivial
Enthusiastic
Rigorous
Acidic
Pompous
Enthusiastic
"Avid" means enthusiastic, or being very eager and passionate about something.
None of the other words are synonyms of avid:
"Trivial" means not important.
"Rigorous" means intensive, demanding or difficult.
"Pompous" means having an annoying sense of self-importance or something that is excessively pretentious.
"Acidic" means the quality of having acid, or of being sour.