SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #323 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DAMP  

Possible Answers:

Moist

Dismal

Earthy

Nocturnal

Deep

Correct answer:

Moist

Explanation:

"Damp" means slightly wet or moist. Deep means the opposite of shallow, and "nocturnal" means taking place at night. "Earthy" is a word that can describe soil or hearty, strong people. "Dismal" means depressing and gloomy.

Example Question #324 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GAUZY 

Possible Answers:

Translucent

Fashionable

Too loud

Showy

Talkative

Correct answer:

Translucent

Explanation:

"Gauzy," which is often used to describe veil-like fabric, means thin and translucent. "Fashionable" means stylish and is often used to describe people or clothing. "Showy" means having a striking or flashy appearance, often drawing too much attention to itself. Someone who is "talkative" is very chatty and talks frequently.

Example Question #325 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VACANT

Possible Answers:

Free

Grim

Obnoxious

Unoccupied

Cautious

Correct answer:

Unoccupied

Explanation:

"Vacant" means empty or unoccupied. "Free" means uncontrolled or unrestrained by others; "cautious" means wary or careful. "Grim" means depressing or forbidding, and often describes situations or people's expressions. "Obnoxious" means offensive and annoying.

Example Question #326 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCINTILLATING

Possible Answers:

Capacious

Distinct

Cruel

Sparkling

Dreary

Correct answer:

Sparkling

Explanation:

"Scintillating" means sparkling or shiny. "Dreary," a near opposite, means dull and depressing. "Distinct" means distinguishable or easily recognizable and different from other things; "cruel" means intentionally and carelessly causing pain to others. "Capacious" means roomy or full of space, as in a capacious cavern or ballroom.

Example Question #327 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PIERCING

Possible Answers:

Monotonous

Keen

Punishing

Swift

Chilly

Correct answer:

Keen

Explanation:

"Keen" and "piercing" both mean sharp, penetrating, or biting. "Chilly" means cool, either figuratively or literally, and swift means quick. "Monotonous," on the other hand, means dull, repetitious, tedious, and uninteresting.

Example Question #328 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FUCHSIA

Possible Answers:

Lukewarm

Beautiful

Savory

Pink

Turgid

Correct answer:

Pink

Explanation:

"Fuchsia" is a purplish pink color. "Savory" means appetizing and good tasting; "lukewarm" describes the temperature between hot and cold (room temperature). "Turgid" means stiff or swollen. "Beautiful" means very pretty or otherwise aesthetically pleasing.

Example Question #329 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRANSPARENT

Possible Answers:

Rigid

Broken

Clear

Optimistic

Murky

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

Something "transparent" either allows light to pass through it or is easy to perceive. "Optimistic", the opposite of pessimistic, means having a positive and hopeful outlook. "Broken" means not working, not functional. "Murky" can mean dark and gloomy or it can mean unclear and not well explained. "Rigid" means stiff and unbending.

Example Question #330 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DRAB

Possible Answers:

Vigorous

Corrugated

Minuscule

Tiny

Dull

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Drab" means dreary, dull, and/or uninteresting. "Tiny" and "minuscule" both mean very small. "Corrugated" describes a ridged or grooved material. "Vigorous" means strong and energetic.

Example Question #341 : Synonyms

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

CERULEAN

Possible Answers:

Fruitful

Cerise

Oceanic

Royal

Blue

Correct answer:

Blue

Explanation:

"Cerulean" is a deep shade of blue. "Fruitful" means yielding literal fruit or figurative results, and "oceanic" is an adjective that describes something as similar to the ocean (which may well be a cerulean color!). "Royal" is an adjective that describes kings, queens, or other monarchs, and "cerise" is a cherry-colored shade of red.

Example Question #342 : Synonyms

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

GAUDY

Possible Answers:

Stressful

Tasteful

Showy

Distressing

Opaque

Correct answer:

Showy

Explanation:

"Gaudy" means overly and excessively bright, showy, and tasteless. "Showy" describes something that is flashy or striking in a way that calls too much attention to itself, and "opaque," the opposite of transparent, describes any material that cannot be seen through. "Distressing" and "stressful" both signify things that cause anxiety, worry, or stress.

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