SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #431 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Useless 

Assuming 

Daft

Skillful 

Pompous

Correct answer:

Skillful 

Explanation:

Someone who is “deft” is quick and skillful. For clarification, "pompous" means arrogant and self-important, and "daft" means silly or foolish.

Example Question #432 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POMPOUS

Possible Answers:

Timid 

Meek 

Arrogant 

Whimsical 

Quiet 

Correct answer:

Arrogant 

Explanation:

Someone who is “pompous” is arrogant and self-important. For clarification, "meek" means mild-mannered and cowardly, "timid" means shy, and "whimsical" means quirky or silly.

Example Question #433 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Underwhelming 

Unkind 

Unworthy 

Apathetic 

Passionate 

Correct answer:

Passionate 

Explanation:

To be "zealous" about something means to be passionate. For clarification, apathetic means not caring.

Example Question #434 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Slapdash 

Thrifty 

Careless 

Casual 

Hasty 

Correct answer:

Thrifty 

Explanation:

"Frugal" means to be careful with money, to be practical. As such it is closest in meaning to "thrifty," which means economical with money. For clarification, the other four answer choices are loosely synonyms of one another and careless is a good antonym of frugal.

Example Question #435 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Giant 

Jolly

Tiny 

Just 

Gaunt 

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

Someone who is "jovial" is friendly and jolly. For clarification, something that is "just" is fair; gaunt means skeletal and unhealthily skinny.

Example Question #436 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOCULAR

Possible Answers:

Susceptible

Mitigate 

Keen 

Humorous 

Unfair 

Correct answer:

Humorous 

Explanation:

To be "jocular" means to be humorous. For clarification, "mitigate" means lessen, alleviate; "keen" means eager; "susceptible" means vulnerable.

Example Question #437 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRAVE

Possible Answers:

Deplorable 

Insignificant 

Preposterous

Serious 

Absurd 

Correct answer:

Serious 

Explanation:

A situation that is "grave" is serious and somber. For clarification, "deplorable" means deserving of hatred; "absurd" and "preposterous" are synonyms that both mean ridiculous.

Example Question #438 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NAÏVE

Possible Answers:

Lofty 

Experienced

Mundane 

Innocent 

Jocular 

Correct answer:

Innocent 

Explanation:

If you are "naïve" you are innocent and gullible. Naïve people are easily lied to and manipulated. For clarification, "lofty" means very high or proud; "mundane" means ordinary or boring; "jocular" means humorous.

Example Question #439 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Disrespectful

Shy 

Outgoing 

Passionate 

Nostalgic

Correct answer:

Outgoing 

Explanation:

Someone who is "gregarious" is very social and outgoing. For clarification, "nostalgia" is a fond remembrance of the past.

Example Question #440 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALTRUISTIC

Possible Answers:

Mousy 

Charitable

Tenuous 

Decadent 

Haughty 

Correct answer:

Charitable

Explanation:

Someone who is "altruistic" is very charitable and inclined towards generosity. For clarification, "mousy" means dull or timid; "tenuous" means uncertain; "haughty" means arrogant; "decadent" means corrupt and luxurious.

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