SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : 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 #6 : 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:

Parsimonious 

Kinetic

Languid 

Feral 

Cheerful 

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 #7 : 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 calm 

Very sleepy

Very angry 

Very happy 

Very sad 

Correct answer:

Very angry 

Explanation:

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

Example Question #401 : Synonyms

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

ELATED

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Jubilant

Tasty

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 #402 : Synonyms

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

SHEEPISH

Possible Answers:

Embarassed

Energetic

Swift

Flexible

Sympathetic

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 #403 : Synonyms

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

MISERABLE

Possible Answers:

Sturdy

Lethal

Grimy

Unhappy

Joyful

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 #404 : Synonyms

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

ENVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Familiar

Glorious

Jealous

Vapid

Pesky

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 #405 : Synonyms

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

SANGUINE

Possible Answers:

Smart

Calm

Beautiful

Dirty

Cheery

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 #406 : Synonyms

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Ghastly

Alarmed

Prone

Calm

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 #407 : Synonyms

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Pennant

Penitent

Loose

Content

Tight

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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