SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

EXASPERATED

Possible Answers:

Displeased

Munificent

Frustrated 

Magnificent 

Gregarious 

Correct answer:

Frustrated 

Explanation:

To feel "exasperated" means to feel very frustrated. For clarification, "magnificent" means glorious and wonderful; "munificent" means generous; "gregarious" means outgoing and sociable.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

EXUBERANT

Possible Answers:

Kinetic

Languid 

Cheerful 

Feral 

Parsimonious 

Correct answer:

Cheerful 

Explanation:

Someone who is "exuberant" is very cheerful, so "cheerful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "feral" means wild, "parsimonious" means not generous, "languid" means lazy and lethargic or slow when referring to movement(s), and "kinetic" means having to do with movement

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

LIVID

Possible Answers:

Very sleepy

Very angry 

Very sad 

Very happy 

Very calm 

Correct answer:

Very angry 

Explanation:

"Livid" means furious, irate or very angry, so "very angry" is the correct answer.

Example Question #111 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ELATED

Possible Answers:

Tasty

Jubilant

Friendly

Frigid

Depressed

Correct answer:

Jubilant

Explanation:

"Elated" means very happy, so "jubilant," an adjective that means triumphant or gleeful, is the correct answer. "Depressed" is an antonym of "elated" and "jubilant"; it means sad and gloomy. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to that of "elated": "tasty" means delicious or flavorful; "frigid" means very cold; and "friendly" means amiable.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SHEEPISH

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Sympathetic

Energetic

Embarassed

Swift

Correct answer:

Embarassed

Explanation:

"Sheepish" means embarrassed or uncomfortable, so "embarassed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sheepish": "swift" means rapid or quick; "energetic" means lively or having or showing a lot of energy; "sympathetic" means compassionate or understanding; and "flexible" means bendable.

Example Question #113 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MISERABLE

Possible Answers:

Grimy

Lethal

Sturdy

Joyful

Unhappy

Correct answer:

Unhappy

Explanation:

"Miserable" means sad or unhappy, so "unhappy" is the correct answer. "Joyful" is an antonym of "miserable"; it means very happy or cheerful. "Lethal" means dangerous and possibly causing death. "Sturdy" means strong or robust. "Grimy" means filthy or dirty.

Example Question #114 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ENVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Familiar

Glorious

Pesky

Vapid

Jealous

Correct answer:

Jealous

Explanation:

"Envious" most nearly means jealous, as in "Admiring the movie star's gorgeous looks, Lori felt slightly envious of her beauty."

Example Question #115 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SANGUINE

Possible Answers:

Smart

Beautiful

Dirty

Cheery

Calm

Correct answer:

Cheery

Explanation:

"Sanguine" most nearly means cheery when faced with difficulty, as in "Despite the fact that his opponent had beaten him before, Gary remained sanguine about his chances of winning the race."

Example Question #391 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Calm

Ghastly

Prone

Alarmed

Awry

Correct answer:

Alarmed

Explanation:

"Aghast" is an adjective that means stunned or horrified, so we need to find another adjective that means something that has to do with feeling shock or fear. While "ghastly" sounds like "aghast," it is an adjective that means terrible or shocking. Since "ghastly" does not mean the same thing as "aghast" ("shocking" doesn't mean the same thing as "shocked"), it can't be the right answer. "Alarmed," on the other hand, means frightened, and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "aghast," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #392 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Tight

Content

Penitent

Pennant

Loose

Correct answer:

Penitent

Explanation:

"Contrite" is an adjective that means "feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt," so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "feeling guilty." While "pennant" and "penitent" sound quite similar to one another, "pennant" is a noun meaning "a long, thin, pointed flag," while "penitent" is an adjective meaning "feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant." Because "penitent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrite," "penitent" is the correct answer.

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