SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #461 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PUGNACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Rendezvous

Devout 

Belligerent 

Repugnant 

Munificent

Correct answer:

Belligerent 

Explanation:

Someone who is "pugnacious" is aggressive, hostile and belligerent, so "belligerent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pugnacious" and the correct answer. For clarification, a "rendezvous" is a secret meeting, "devout" means very religious, "repugnant" means gross or unpleasant, and "munificent" means generous or plentiful.

Example Question #462 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RANCOROUS

Possible Answers:

Cheerful 

Toxic 

Implacable 

Poisonous 

Noxious 

Correct answer:

Implacable 

Explanation:

Someone who is "rancorous" is merciless, relentless or implacable. For clarification, "noxious," "toxic," and "poisonous" are all synonyms.

Example Question #463 : Identifying Synonyms

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

 

BOMBASTIC

Possible Answers:

Umbrage 

Verbose 

Banal 

Forlorn 

Prophetic 

Correct answer:

Verbose 

Explanation:

"Bombastic" means long-winded, insincere, or verbose, and is often used to describe speech. "Verbose" refers to unnecessarily long speech, so it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "bombastic" and the correct answer. For clarification, "forlorn" means sad and hopeless, "banal" means mundane or boring, "umbrage" means offense, and "prophetic" means predicting what will happen in the future.

Example Question #464 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Demanding 

Fortunate 

Cunning 

Opulent 

Excessive 

Correct answer:

Cunning 

Explanation:

Someone who is "wily" is crafty and cunning and possesses guile, so "cunning," an adjective that means shrewd, is the correct answer. For clarification, "fortunate" means lucky, "excessive" means too much or extreme, and "opulent" means wealthy or fancy.

Example Question #465 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Vicarious

Fulsome 

Sociable 

Lonely 

Introverted 

Correct answer:

Sociable 

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means friendly and sociable, so "sociable," an adjective that means cordial or affable, is the correct answer. For clarification, "fulsome" means flattering or excessive, "vicarious" describes something that is experienced through another person, "introverted" means shy, and "lonely" means isolated or friendless.

Example Question #466 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FULSOME

Possible Answers:

Complimentary

Fervent

Jubilant 

Panicked 

Demeaning 

Correct answer:

Complimentary

Explanation:

"Fulsome" means flattering or excessively complimentary, so "complimentary," which means favorable or flattering, is the correct answer. For clarification, "panicked" means worried or scared, something that is "demeaning" is insulting, "fervent" means zealous or passionate, and "jubilant" means very happy.

Example Question #467 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GARRULOUS

Possible Answers:

Verbose

Closemouthed

Timorous

Taciturn

Uncommunicative

Correct answer:

Verbose

Explanation:

"Garrulous" means talkative. Eliminate the synonyms "uncommunicative," "taciturn," and "closemouthed." "Timorous" and "verbose" are your only options. "Timorous" means fearful, while "verbose" means talkative, just like "garrulous" does. Verbose is the answer!

Example Question #468 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Uncontrollable

Malaise 

Sanguine 

Despotic 

Adroit 

Correct answer:

Adroit 

Explanation:

“Deft” means dextrous or skillful. If you are “adroit,” you are good with your hands or skillful, so "adroit" is the correct answer. To help you, “malaise” means unease, “sanguine” means healthy or optimistic, and “despotic” means like a dictator or very controlling.

Example Question #469 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ECCENTRIC

Possible Answers:

Maniacal 

Introverted 

Dubious 

Unorthodox 

Fearful 

Correct answer:

Unorthodox 

Explanation:

If you are “eccentric,” you act in strange or unusual ways. Similarly, “unorthodox” means different from what is usually done or accepted, so an “unorthodox” person does not follow the path society sets. To clarify, “introverted” means shy or withdrawn; “dubious” means doubtful or suspicious; “mechanical” means relating to machines; and “maniacal” means affected with or suggestive of madness.

Example Question #488 : Synonyms

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

AFFABLE

Possible Answers:

Sleepy

Friendly

Talkative

Funny

Sullen

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

"Affable" most nearly means friendly, so "friendly" is the correct answer.

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