SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #351 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRIGID

Possible Answers:

Chilly

Humid

Damp 

Wet

Moist

Correct answer:

Chilly

Explanation:

"Frigid" and "chilly" are synonyms adjectives describing the state of being cold. The other answer choices are synonymous with each other, and all refer to the state of being wet, but only "chilly" means the same thing as "frigid." Someone might be "frigid" because their clothes are "damp," but these adjectives are not in and of themselves synonymous.

Example Question #352 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RIGID

Possible Answers:

Silky

Stiff

Stinky

Silent

Still

Correct answer:

Stiff

Explanation:

The words "rigid" and "stiff" are synonymous adjectives describing the property of having tensile strength and being difficult to bend. The other answer choices do not have relevant meanings.

Example Question #353 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RUSTIC

Possible Answers:

Slovenly

Grisly

Urban

Handsome

Rural

Correct answer:

Rural

Explanation:

"Rustic" means "rural," or it can mean plain or crude

"Grisly" means gross, gruesome or horrifying.

"Slovenly" means disgusting, unkempt or dirty.

"Handsome" means physically attractive.

"Urban" means related to cities; it is the opposite of rural.

Example Question #354 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DRAB

Possible Answers:

Polished

Vibrant

Dull

Flimsy

Flamboyant

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Drab" means "dull" or bleak or rundown.

"Polished" means brightly shining or gleaming due to being cleaned with polish; it can also mean elegant or well-executed, when referring to an action.

"Flamboyant" means extravagant or flashy.

"Flimsy" means not sturdy; thin and insubstantial.

"Vibrant" means colorful, lively or vivid.

Example Question #355 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Outrageous

Dull

Flowery

Radiant

Putrid

Correct answer:

Radiant

Explanation:

"Luminous" means "radiant" or glowing; shining with light.

"Flowery" means overly ornate, excessively fancy. Typically refers to unnecessarily fancy language.

"Outrageous" means barbaric, very bad or something that causes outrageous.

"Putrid" means rotten or stinky or contaminated.

"Dull" means not bright or shiny; drab or cloudy.

Example Question #356 : Identifying Synonyms

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

URBANE

Possible Answers:

Lanky

Pristine

Civilized

Unrealistic

Stained

Correct answer:

Civilized

Explanation:

"Urbane" means "civilized," cosmopolitan or sophisticated.

"Lanky" means long-limbed, gangly or tall and thin.

"Unrealistic" means fanciful or not believable.

"Pristine" means pure, untouched by civilization, primeval.

"Stained" means dirty, impure or sullied.

Example Question #357 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SALLOW

Possible Answers:

Vigorous

Unhealthy

Angelic

Portly

Phony

Correct answer:

Unhealthy

Explanation:

"Sallow" means "unhealthy," pale, dull.

"Angelic" means like an angel; sweet, kind and typically beautiful.

"Phony" means false or bogus.

"Portly" means fat, round, overweight.

"Vigorous" means full of vigor, vivacious, energetic.

Example Question #358 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AJAR

Possible Answers:

Spectacular

Slightly open

Tidy

Underneath

Small

Correct answer:

Slightly open

Explanation:

"Ajar" means "slightly open" or open a crack. For example, the door was ajar.

"Tidy" means neat, clean or orderly.

"Small" means not large in size, petite, or little

"Spectacular" means wonderful, impressive or something that catches the eye.

"Underneath" is a preposition that means below or under something.

Example Question #359 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DAPPER

Possible Answers:

Sweltering

Ugly

Classy

Drab

Gloomy

Correct answer:

Classy

Explanation:

'Dapper' means "classy," well-groomed or elegant.

"Gloomy" means dismal, depressing, sullen. Also has a meaning of dark or shadowed when describing landscapes.

"Sweltering" means extremely hot in temperature, scorching, humid.

"Drab" means bleak, colorless, or run-down in appearance.

"Ugly" means unattractive or unsightly. It can also describe anything that is unpleasant or dangerous.

Example Question #360 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HORRID

Possible Answers:

Homely

Honest

Horticultural

Dreadful

Inappropriate

Correct answer:

Dreadful

Explanation:

The words "horrid" and "dreadful" are synonymous. They refer to something that inspires fear. The other answer choices do not have this meaning. Words like "homely," "honest," and "horticultural" may seem to have similar prefixes, but they have completely unrelated meanings.

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