SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #411 : Synonyms

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

CONTENT

Possible Answers:

Enormous

Paltry

Important

Extensive

Satisfied

Correct answer:

Satisfied

Explanation:

"Content" means satisfied or happy; Extensive means thorough; Important means relevant; Paltry means of small amount; and Enormous means huge.

Example Question #412 : Synonyms

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

LONELY

Possible Answers:

Chaotic

Popular

Talkative

Joyful

Friendless

Correct answer:

Friendless

Explanation:

"Lonely" describes someone who feels alone or is friendless, so "friendless" is the correct answer. "Popular" is an antonym of "lonely"; it describes someone who has many friends. "Talkative" is a synonym of garrulous and describes someone who talks a lot. "Joyful" means very happy. "Chaotic" means involving disorder or confusion.

Example Question #413 : Synonyms

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

AVID

Possible Answers:

Rigorous

Trivial

Enthusiastic

Pompous

Acidic

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

"Avid" means enthusiastic, or being very eager and passionate about something.

None of the other words are synonyms of avid:

"Trivial" means not important.

"Rigorous" means intensive, demanding or difficult.

"Pompous" means having an annoying sense of self-importance or something that is excessively pretentious.

"Acidic" means the quality of having acid, or of being sour.

Example Question #414 : Synonyms

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

DOLEFUL

Possible Answers:

Melancholy

Indomitable

Deer-like

Mediocre

Elated

Correct answer:

Melancholy

Explanation:

"Doleful" means "melancholy," sad, or depressing.

None of the other words are synonymous with doleful:

"Mediocre" means average or ordinary.

"Indomitable" means invincible, stubborn or unyielding.

"Deer-like" means related to a deer, or possessing qualities of a deer. Deer are often described as having doleful eyes.

"Elated" means wildly excited and happy, or euphoric.

Example Question #415 : Synonyms

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

MELANCHOLY

Possible Answers:

Nervous

Excited

Antsy

Somber

Anxious

Correct answer:

Somber

Explanation:

"Melancholy" is an adjective describing an emotion synonymous with "somber." The rest of the answers are all closely related: "Excited," "Anxious," "Antsy," and "Nervous" are all emotions, but they are not emotions related to sadness in the way "melancholy" and "somber" are.

Example Question #416 : Synonyms

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

DISTRAUGHT

Possible Answers:

Obliging

Fraught

Agreeable

Pleasant

Polite

Correct answer:

Fraught

Explanation:

"Distraught" and "fraught" are synonyms describing a person's emotional state, a deeply upset and disquieted one. These words are opposite in meaning to the rest of the answer choices, which all describe pleasant states.

Example Question #417 : Synonyms

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

BASHFUL

Possible Answers:

Carefree

Blithe

Broken

Demolished

Shy

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Bashful" means shy, reserved, or inhibited. "Broken" means not functional, and "demolished" means destroyed or ruined. "Carefree" and "blithe" both mean happily untroubled and unworried.

Example Question #418 : Synonyms

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

SUSPICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Dun

Umber

Ignorant

Unschooled

Mistrustful

Correct answer:

Mistrustful

Explanation:

To be "suspicious" of someone or something is not to trust that person or thing. "Ignorant" and "unschooled" both mean uneducated or lacking knowledge. "Dun" is a gray-brown color, and "umber" is a dark brown color.

Example Question #419 : Synonyms

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

CONFOUNDED

Possible Answers:

Bewildered

Nautical

Ignorant

Benighted

Highly intelligent

Correct answer:

Bewildered

Explanation:

"Confounded" and "confused" both mean bewildered. "Benighted" and "ignorant" both mean lacking knowledge. "Nautical" means maritime, which is a word often used to describe sailors or sailing. "Intelligent" and "stupid" are antonyms.

Example Question #420 : Synonyms

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

BITTER

Possible Answers:

Delighted

Resentful

Forgiving

Gleeful

Placating

Correct answer:

Resentful

Explanation:

While "bitter" can describe a sharp, acid taste, it can also describe an angry or resentful emotional state. This word is the opposite of "forgiving". To "placate" someone is to soothe or calm that person. "Gleeful" and "delighted" are synonyms.

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