SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1451 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Additional

Possible Answers:

Symbolic

Vast

Formal

Extra

Necessary

Correct answer:

Extra

Explanation:

"Additional" means extra.

Example Question #1261 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DEVOID

Possible Answers:

Diving 

Hole

Full

Bored 

Barren 

Correct answer:

Barren 

Explanation:

If something is “devoid,” it is being without a usual or expected attribute or accompaniment, so a “devoid” landscape could mean that it is lacking trees or life. If something is “barren,” it has very few plants or is not suitable for plants,so it is similar in meaning to “devoid.” “Devoid” is related to the root word “void,” which means empty space.

Example Question #642 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PIDDLING

Possible Answers:

Advantageous 

Lilliputian 

Fungus 

Gauche 

Humonogus 

Correct answer:

Lilliputian 

Explanation:

“Piddling” means small or unimportant. “Lilliputian” also means small; it comes from the book Gulliver's Travels and began to be used in language in the early 1700s. To help you, the suffix “-ous” means characterized by. “Gauche” means unpolished, clumsy, or inelegant. “Humongous” means extremely large. “Fungous” means the same as fungal.

Example Question #643 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of “abysmal” is __________.

Possible Answers:

phenomenal

deserted

deplorable

upset

understood

Correct answer:

deplorable

Explanation:

“Abysmal” is an adjective that means “extremely bad; appalling,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “extremely bad.” That means that “phenomenal” cannot be the correct answer, because “phenomenal” is an adjective that can mean “very remarkable; extraordinary,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “abysmal.” “Deplorable,” however, is an adjective that can mean “shockingly bad in quality,” and because “deplorable” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “abysmal,” “deplorable” is the correct answer.

Example Question #644 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EXQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Unkind 

Beautiful 

Haughty 

Laughable 

Pliable

Correct answer:

Beautiful 

Explanation:

Something that is “exquisite” is beautiful and perfect. For clarification, "pliable" means flexible, and "haughty" means proud or self-important.

Example Question #645 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Unoriginal 

None of these answers 

Uncomfortable 

Comfortable

Original 

Correct answer:

Unoriginal 

Explanation:

"Banal" means trite, cliché, and unimaginative; as such, it is most similar in meaning to “unoriginal.”

Example Question #646 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DECENT

Possible Answers:

Insane

Insufficient

Unreasonable

Satisfactory

Familial

Correct answer:

Satisfactory

Explanation:

"Decent" means satisfactory. "Insufficient" means lacking in quantity and "unreasonable" means not reasonable, as one can infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which means not, and "reasonable." As for the other answers, neither of them are close in meaning to "decent": "familial" means of or relating to family, and "insane," being a combination of the negative prefix "in-," which means not, and "sane," means not sane, or suffering from a severe mental illness.

Example Question #1452 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters

OPULENT

Possible Answers:

Eminent 

Lavish 

Authoritative

Cheap 

Careful 

Correct answer:

Lavish 

Explanation:

Opulent means luxurious or excessive and as such is most similar in meaning to “lavish," which can mean luxurious, plentiful, or describe the act of generous giving. "Eminent" means well-known or respected, and "authoritative" means controlling or displaying leadership.

Example Question #1262 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OPTIMAL

Possible Answers:

Optional

Worst

Usable

Defective

Ideal

Correct answer:

Ideal

Explanation:

"Optimal" is an adjective describing a noun that is the best or as well-suited to something as can be. Of the answer choices, "ideal" has the closest meaning. 

Example Question #1263 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RAMSHACKLE

Possible Answers:

Nuanced

Pristine

Dilapidated

Annoying

Destructive

Correct answer:

Dilapidated

Explanation:

“Ramshackle” means in very poor condition, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means in disrepair. That means that “pristine” cannot be the correct answer, because “pristine” is an adjective that can mean, spotlessperfect, or in something's original condition making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “ramshackle.” “Dilapidated,” however, is an adjective that is used of a building or object and means in disrepair, and because “dilapidated” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “ramshackle,” “dilapidated” is the correct answer.

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