SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #382 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXASPERATED

Possible Answers:

Munificent

Gregarious 

Magnificent 

Displeased

Frustrated 

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 #383 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXUBERANT

Possible Answers:

Cheerful 

Kinetic

Parsimonious 

Languid 

Feral 

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 #384 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LIVID

Possible Answers:

Very sad 

Very sleepy

Very angry 

Very calm 

Very happy 

Correct answer:

Very angry 

Explanation:

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

Example Question #381 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELATED

Possible Answers:

Depressed

Frigid

Tasty

Friendly

Jubilant

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 #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

SHEEPISH

Possible Answers:

Swift

Embarassed

Sympathetic

Flexible

Energetic

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 #401 : Synonyms

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

MISERABLE

Possible Answers:

Grimy

Joyful

Lethal

Unhappy

Sturdy

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 #384 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Familiar

Pesky

Vapid

Jealous

Glorious

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 #385 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SANGUINE

Possible Answers:

Beautiful

Calm

Cheery

Smart

Dirty

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 #402 : Synonyms

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Ghastly

Awry

Calm

Alarmed

Prone

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 #403 : Synonyms

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Content

Pennant

Loose

Penitent

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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