SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRANGIBLE

Possible Answers:

Shatterproof

Prickly

Breakable

Fuzzy

Gross

Correct answer:

Breakable

Explanation:

“Frangible” is an adjective that means “fragile; brittle,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “fragile.” That means that “shatterproof” cannot be the correct answer, because “shatterproof” means “made so that it does not break easily and will not form sharp, dangerous pieces if it does break,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “frangible.” “Breakable,” however, is an adjective that means “capable of breaking or being broken easily,” and because “breakable” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “frangible,” “breakable” is the correct answer.

Example Question #302 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMELY

Possible Answers:

Imperfect 

Perfect 

boisterous

Cute 

Ugly 

Correct answer:

Cute 

Explanation:

"Comely" is an adjective that means very cute or attractive, so "cute" is the correct answer. For clarification, "ugly" means aesthetically unpleasant, "imperfect" means having flaws or not perfect, "perfect" means having no flaws or errors, and "boisterous" means loud or unruly.

Example Question #303 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SALIENT

Possible Answers:

Qualified

Subtle

Conspicuous

Constituent

Postponed

Correct answer:

Conspicuous

Explanation:

"Salient" is an adjective that means "most noticeable or important," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "most noticeable." While "constituent" and "conspicuous" might sound quite similar, "constituent" means "being a part of the whole," while "conspicuous" means "standing out so as to be clearly visible" or "attracting notice or attention." Since "conspicuous" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "salient," "conspicuous" is the correct answer.

Example Question #304 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BURLY

Possible Answers:

Stocky 

Lanky 

Portly 

Comely 

Tall

Correct answer:

Stocky 

Explanation:

Someone who is "burly" is stocky and well-built, so "stocky," a word that means strappingheavyset, or brawny, is the correct answer. For clarification, "lanky" describes someone who is tall and skinny, portly means stout or fat, and comely means cute or attractive.

Example Question #305 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTACT

Possible Answers:

Spoiled

Complete

Broken

Social

Accurate

Correct answer:

Complete

Explanation:

"Intact" means complete. "Broken" is an antonym of "intact" and means smashed or shattered. "Spoiled" means coddled. "Social" can mean having to do with society. "Accurate" means correct or precise.

Example Question #306 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the words that are most similar in meaning.

Vacuous

Possible Answers:

Wordless

Legendary

Conditional

Empty

Elevated

Correct answer:

Empty

Explanation:

"Vacuous" means empty. It also means lacking ideas or intelligence.

Example Question #307 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Durable

Possible Answers:

Legal

Sturdy

Unique

Steep

Flaccid

Correct answer:

Sturdy

Explanation:

"Durable" means strong and sturdy; Flaccid means limp; Unique means special or different; and Legal means lawful.

Example Question #308 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DURABLE

Possible Answers:

Quick

Temporary

Sturdy

Fragile

Tall

Correct answer:

Sturdy

Explanation:

"Durable" is an adjective used to describe something that is difficult to break or damage. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "stable." 

Example Question #309 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VIVID

Possible Answers:

Excited

Bright

Fuzzy

Lamentable

Confused

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

"Vivid" means bright or colorful, so "bright" is the correct answer.

Example Question #310 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "nebulous" is . .

Possible Answers:

precursor

novel

fundamental

indefinite

exact

Correct answer:

indefinite

Explanation:

"Nebulous" is an adjective that means "in the form of a cloud or haze; hazy," or when used to refer to concepts or ideas, "unclear, vague, or ill-defined." So, we need to pick out a word that means something like "hazy" or "unclear." Since "indefinite" means "not clearly expressed or defined; vague," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nebulous," and the correct answer.

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