SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #481 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTREPID

Possible Answers:

Timid 

Adventurous 

Poor 

Ingrained 

Susceptible

Correct answer:

Adventurous 

Explanation:

Someone who is "intrepid" is very enterprising and adventurous. For clarification, "timid" means shy and reserved; "ingrained" is something embedded or inbuilt; "susceptible" means vulnerable.

Example Question #482 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONGENIAL

Possible Answers:

Generous 

Disagreeable

Portentous 

Avaricious

Agreeable

Correct answer:

Agreeable

Explanation:

"Congenial" means agreeable or friendly, so "agreeable," which means pleasant or amenable to something, is the correct answer. For clarification, "avaricious" means greedy, "portentous" means self-important or ominous, "generous" means liberal in giving, and "disagreeable" means not agreeable or unpleasant, as one might be able to infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "dis-" and the word "agreeable."

Example Question #483 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "devious" is __________.

Possible Answers:

perspicacious

deceitful

amiable

naïve

jocular

Correct answer:

deceitful

Explanation:

"Devious" is an adjective that means "showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "underhanded." Naïve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because when used to describe people, naive either means "showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment," or "natural and unaffected; innocent," neither of which is synonymous with the meaning of "devious." "Deceitful," however, is an adjective that means "guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others," and because "deceitful" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "devious," "deceitful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #484 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPUDENT

Possible Answers:

Debonair

Urbane

Timid

Reticent

Sassy

Correct answer:

Sassy

Explanation:

"Impudent" means boldly rude. "Urbane" and "debonair" both mean polite and sophisticated. Here's a hint: when solving synonym questions, eliminate answer choices that are synonyms of each other. "Timid" means shy, and "reticent" means not saying much. So, "sassy," which means cheeky, is the answer!

Example Question #485 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEGLIGENT

Possible Answers:

Responsible

Blunt

Determined

Vociferous

Lax

Correct answer:

Lax

Explanation:

“Negligent” is an adjective that means “failing to take proper care,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not doing something carefully.” That means that “responsible” cannot be the correct answer, because “responsible” means “capable of being trusted,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “negligent.” “Lax,” however, is an adjective that can mean “not sufficiently attentive,” and because “lax” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “negligent,” “lax” is the correct answer.

Example Question #486 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SURLY

Possible Answers:

Ignorant

Rude or hostile

Humorous

Stubborn

Jumpy

Correct answer:

Rude or hostile

Explanation:

"Surly" means "rude or hostile," irritable

"Humorous" means being funny or comical.

"Jumpy" means nervous or subject to sudden, involuntary starts.

"Stubborn" means headstrong, or unreasonably set in purpose or opinion.

"Ignorant" means lacking in knowledge or training.

Example Question #487 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENIGMATIC

Possible Answers:

Deceitful

Puzzling

Mischievous 

Stupid

Untrustworthy

Correct answer:

Puzzling

Explanation:

"Enigmatic" means "puzzling" or mysterious.

"Deceitful" means prone to lying or deceit.

"Mischievous" means maliciously or playfully annoying.

"Stupid" means lacking ordinary mental quickness.

"Untrustworthy" means not deserving or trust or confidence.

Example Question #488 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNSCRUPULOUS

Possible Answers:

Without conscience

Cruel

Malicious

Stern

Devout

Correct answer:

Without conscience

Explanation:

"Unscrupulous" means "without conscience" or unprincipled.

"Stern" means strict, harsh, or uncompromising.

"Cruel" means willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others.

"Malicious" means intentionally harmful or spiteful.

"Devout" means sincerely religious, earnest, pious.

Example Question #489 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COURTEOUS

Possible Answers:

Polite

Flirtatious

Restrained

Exuberant

Princely

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Courteous" means "polite," well mannered or respectful.

None of the other words are synonyms of courteous:

"Exuberant" means to be filled with excitement.

"Flirtatious" means to suggest playful attraction to someone.

"Princely" means splendid or related to a prince.

"Restrained" means unemotional, moderate and reserved.

Example Question #490 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Frequently changing loyalties

Musical

Steadfast in one's beliefs

Stoic

Sentimental

Correct answer:

Frequently changing loyalties

Explanation:

"Fickle" means frequently changing loyalties, interests or allegiances.

"Sentimental" means predisposed to feeling tender, sad, or nostalgic. "Stoic" means experiencing pain or hardship without showing your feelings. "Musical" means related to music, or melodious. "Steadfast" in one's beliefs means committed to your beliefs.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors