SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

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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

Possible Answers:

Jubilant

Frigid

Friendly

Depressed

Tasty

Correct answer:

Jubilant

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Embarassed

Swift

Sympathetic

Energetic

Flexible

Correct answer:

Embarassed

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Unhappy

Grimy

Lethal

Sturdy

Joyful

Correct answer:

Unhappy

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Vapid

Jealous

Pesky

Familiar

Glorious

Correct answer:

Jealous

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Beautiful

Dirty

Cheery

Smart

Calm

Correct answer:

Cheery

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Calm

Awry

Alarmed

Ghastly

Prone

Correct answer:

Alarmed

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Content

Penitent

Tight

Pennant

Loose

Correct answer:

Penitent

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Enormous

Paltry

Important

Extensive

Satisfied

Correct answer:

Satisfied

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Joyful

Chaotic

Friendless

Popular

Talkative

Correct answer:

Friendless

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Trivial

Enthusiastic

Rigorous

Acidic

Pompous

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

"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.

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