All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #378 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Synonyms
Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DIMINUTIVE
following
darkening
rebellious
small
insulting
small
Something that is "diminutive" is small, miniature.
Example Question #379 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABOMINABLE
Questionable
Desirable
Detestable
Dominant
Systematic
Detestable
"Abominable" means universally hated. If you "detest" something, you hate it. The key here is the strength of the word, an "abominable" thing is awful, not merely bad, or "questionable."
Example Question #380 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MUNDANE
Celestial
Metaphysical
Stupid
Dull
Precise
Dull
"Mundane" is an adjective that means "dull," without excitement, or refers to the earthly world instead of a spiritual world.
"Precise" means exact or definitely correct. "Stupid" means unintelligent or without common sense. "Celestial" means related to the sky, or refers to something amazing. "Metaphysical" means related to the philosophy that deals with abstract concepts (being, origin of the universe) but is not grounded in scientific research.
Example Question #1456 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FEEBLE
Weak
Gleeful
Cumbersome
Infantile
Elderly
Weak
"Feeble" is an adjective that means "weak," or without strength of character.
"Elderly" is a concept related to feeble, as elderly people are often feeble, but "elderly" just means old. "Infantile" could also be related, as infants typically lack physical strength, but "infantile" simply means childish. "Gleeful" means very joyful. "Cumbersome" means inconvenient, or difficult to carry or use because of size.
Example Question #1461 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EMPHATIC
Dubious
Gregarious
Forcefully expressing something
To understand another's feelings
Bleak
Forcefully expressing something
"Emphatic" is an adjective that means to express something forcefully or to put emphasis on something.
"Gregarious" means outgoing and talkative.
"Dubious" means doubtful, or uncertain.
"Bleak" means desolate and depressing.
"To understand another's feelings" is the answer students will select if they misread emphatic as "empathetic", which means to understand another's feelings.
Example Question #1462 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POIGNANT
Sharp
Heart-rending
Pompous
Wary
Eerie
Heart-rending
"Poignant" means heart-rending, or something that evokes sadness. "Poignant" is said poin-yent.
None of the other words is synonymous with poignant.
"Pompous" means annoyingly self-important, excessively solemn in a forced or affected way.
"Sharp" means able to cut or puncture something, or colloquially it can mean intelligent.
"Wary" means watching for danger, being cautious.
"Eerie" means strange or weird, and is sometimes spelled "eerie" as well.
Example Question #1463 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DORMANT
Rocky
Dutiful
Inert
Rife
Wakeful
Inert
"Dormant" means "inert," unmoving, asleep or comatose.
None of the other words are synonyms of dormant:
"Rife" means abundant or plentiful.
"Dutiful" means obedient, following one's duties or conscientious.
"Rocky" means rough with stones, pebbles or rocks. Often dormant is used to describe inactive volcanoes, so "rocky" is meant to be a trick answer that triggers an association with dormant volcanoes.
"Wakeful" means awake, not asleep, or attentive. It is the opposite of dormant.
Example Question #1464 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHEER
Fluffy
Fuzzy
Floral
Furry
Utter
Utter
The adjectives "sheer" and "utter" are synonymous. "Sheer" means nothing other than and utter means complete, absolute, or total. Here are two examples of their use: 1) His "utter" fascination with the magician made his mother smile. 2) He used nothing but his "sheer" imagination to draw the comic. The other words are not synonymous with "sheer."
Example Question #1465 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PORTENTOUS
Timorous
Reckless
Frigid
Ominous
Irrevocable
Ominous
"Portentous" means "ominous" or foreboding. A portent is a premonition or a forewarning.
"Irrevocable" means can't be taken back, or can't be undone; final.
"Timorous" means fearful, afraid, or shuddering.
"Reckless" means careless, irresponsible or negligent.
"Frigid" means very cold, or unwelcoming.
Example Question #1466 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
APROPOS
Unsuitable
Inventive
Relevant
Grave
Obedient
Relevant
"Apropos" means "relevant" or suitable; appropriate for a situation. The final "s" is not pronounced.
"Obedient" means compliant; describes someone who obeys.
"Grave" means very serious or gloomy.
"Inventive" means new, original, creative.
"Unsuitable" means inappropriate or not proper. It is an antonym of "apropos."
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