SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CAPRICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Genuine

Quiet

Fickle

Sly

Public

Correct answer:

Fickle

Explanation:

"Capricious" most nearly means changing one's mood or conduct randomly, or "fickle," as in, "The capricious little girl went from sobbing to laughing to fuming at her mother within five minutes, for no discernable reason."

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CRAFTY

Possible Answers:

Violent

Fabulous

Determined

Cunning

Radical

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

"Crafty" means wily, or "cunning."

Example Question #491 : Synonyms

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

TACTFUL

Possible Answers:

Polite

Chewy

Energetic

Rude

Sticky

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Tactful" means polite, so "polite" is the correct answer.

Example Question #492 : Synonyms

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

OPEN-MINDED

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Wise

Intolerant

Quiescent

Dismissive

Correct answer:

Flexible

Explanation:

“Open-minded” is an adjective that means open to considering new ideasThat means that “intolerant” cannot be the correct answer, because “intolerant” means not tolerant of ideas or beliefs different from one's own, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “open-minded.” “Flexible,” however, is an adjective that can mean adaptable to new ideas and circumstances when describing a person, and because “flexible” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “open-minded,” “flexible” is the correct answer.

Example Question #493 : Synonyms

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

PERSISTENT

Possible Answers:

Disloyal

Dogged

Immoral

Diverse

Broken

Correct answer:

Dogged

Explanation:

"Persistent" is an adjective that describes someone or something that is determined and tenacious. Of the answer choices, "dogged," which means resolute, has the closest meaning.

Example Question #494 : Synonyms

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

WINSOME

Possible Answers:

Curious

True

Wordy

Alert

Charming

Correct answer:

Charming

Explanation:

"Winsome" means charming or engaging.

Example Question #495 : Synonyms

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

CAPRICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Infallible

Destructive

Mercurial

Consistent

Fluent

Correct answer:

Mercurial

Explanation:

“Capricious” is an adjective that means “given to sudden changes,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “given to sudden changes.” That means that “consistent” cannot be the correct answer, because “consistent” means “unchanging in achievement” when referring to a person, behavior, or process, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “capricious.” “Mercurial,” however, is an adjective that can mean “subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood” when describing a person. So, because “mercurial” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “capricious,” “mercurial” is the correct answer.

Example Question #496 : Synonyms

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

PLUCKY

Possible Answers:

Afraid

Intrepid

Severe

Particular

Oblivious

Correct answer:

Intrepid

Explanation:

“Plucky” is an adjective that means “having or showing determined courage in the face of difficulties,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “courageous.” That means that “afraid” cannot be the correct answer, because “afraid” means “feeling fear or anxiety; frightened,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “plucky.” “Intrepid,” however, is an adjective that means “fearless; adventurous,” and because “intrepid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “plucky,” “intrepid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #497 : Synonyms

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

LOFTY

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious 

Proud 

Extravagant

Gregarious 

Unwelcoming

Correct answer:

Proud 

Explanation:

"Lofty" can mean either very high or exalted; however, in this instance it is used to mean haughty which is most similar in meaning to "proud." Answering this question relies on your knowledge of more than one definition of lofty. Remember it is important to always be aware of the secondary and tertiary meanings of words. For clarification, "gregarious" means outgoing; "ostentatious" and "extravagant" are synonyms that both describe something showy and luxurious.

Example Question #498 : Synonyms

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

VICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Helpful

Obedient

Violent

Stubborn

Cooperative

Correct answer:

Violent

Explanation:

"Vicious" means brutal or "violent." "Helpful" means a person who assists others or is supportive. "Cooperative" means able to work well with others. "Obedient" means compliant or willing to follow the orders or others. "Stubborn" means not willing to change one's viewpoint or course of action.

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