SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1221 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BOLTING

Possible Answers:

Stifling

Scheming

Calculating

Darting

Sluggish

Correct answer:

Darting

Explanation:

"Bolting" and "darting" both describe sudden swift movements. "Sluggish" means slow and inactive. "Stifling" can mean either very hot or very oppressive and controlling, depending on the context. "Calculating" and "scheming" are synonyms.

Example Question #1222 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GLIDING

Possible Answers:

Sliding

Embracing

Crawling

Longing

Leaping

Correct answer:

Sliding

Explanation:

To "glide" is to slide or move smoothly. "Longing" means nostalgic or wistful. To "leap" is to jump, and to "crawl" is to move forward haltingly on hands and knees. "Embracing" means hugging, holding, or accepting.

Example Question #1223 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMBLING

Possible Answers:

Amiable

Darting

Humble

Strolling

Violent

Correct answer:

Strolling

Explanation:

To "amble" is to walk or stroll in a leisurely manner. To "dart" is to move quickly and suddenly. "Violent" means brutal or vicious, "amiable" means friendly or pleasant, and "humble" means modest.

Example Question #1224 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SQUIRMING

Possible Answers:

Highlighted

Tortured 

Variegated

Wriggling

Buzzing

Correct answer:

Wriggling

Explanation:

To 'squirm" is to wriggle or writhe. To "buzz" is to make a vibrating or humming sound. "Variegated" means having patches or spots of different colors. "Highlighted" means emphasized or underscored.

Example Question #1225 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SLOUCHED

Possible Answers:

Hurried

Dawdling

Slumped

Upright

Wistful

Correct answer:

Slumped

Explanation:

To "slouch" is to slump or adopt a drooping posture, and "upright" is a good antonym for "slouched." "Hurried" and "hasty" are synonyms. "Dawdling" and "lingering" are synonyms. "Longing" and "wistful" are synonyms.

Example Question #1226 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLAILING

Possible Answers:

Smiling broadly

Grinning hungrily

Shouting angrily

Peeking slyly

Waving wildly

Correct answer:

Waving wildly

Explanation:

To "flail" is to wave or thrash around wildly. To "smile" and to "grin" are near synonyms. To "shout" and to "scream" are near synonyms as well. To "peek" is to glance quickly or stealthily.

Example Question #1227 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GALLOPING

Possible Answers:

Racing

Exclaiming

Dawdling

Hesitating

Declaiming

Correct answer:

Racing

Explanation:

A "gallop" is the fastest gait at which a horse can run, so "racing" is the best synonym for "galloping." To "hesitate" is to pause, to "exclaim" is to cry out, and to "declaim" is to deliver a speech. "Dawdling" and "lingering" are synonyms.

Example Question #1228 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DARTING

Possible Answers:

Unnerving

Dashing

Exclamatory

Exclaiming

Obscuring

Correct answer:

Dashing

Explanation:

Both "darting" and "dashing" describe quick, sudden movements, so they are the closest synonyms. To "obscure" is to hide or conceal, and to "exclaim" is to cry out. "Exclamatory" means in the manner of an exclamation. "Unnerving" means discouraging or unsettling.

Example Question #1229 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SWAGGERING

Possible Answers:

Strutting

Scolding

Sedate

Selfish

Vicious

Correct answer:

Strutting

Explanation:

"Swaggering" and "strutting" both describe a type of walk full of confidence and arrogance. "Selfish" means the opposite of selfless, and "vicious" means violent or cruel. "Sedate" means calm and quiet. To "scold" is to reprimand or chastise.

Example Question #1230 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TWISTY

Possible Answers:

Yellowed

Tortuous

Very painful

Edible

Infuriating

Correct answer:

Tortuous

Explanation:

"Tortuous" and "twisty" both mean winding, full of twists and turns. "Edible" means able to be eaten, "infuriating" means maddening, and "yellowed" means turned yellow (usually because of age). "Painful" is a near synonym for torturous, the word used to describe torture, but that is a different word from tortuous.

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