SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #691 : Synonyms

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

PORTENTOUS

Possible Answers:

Juvenile

Repugnant 

Boring

Foreboding

Inviting

Correct answer:

Foreboding

Explanation:

"Portentous" means foreboding or ominous.

"Juvenile" means immature or childish.

"Repugnant" means repulsive or detestable.

"Inviting" means desirable, appealing or attractive.

"Boring" means uninteresting or droll.

Example Question #692 : Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Dull 

Voluble 

Transient

Unkind 

Temporary 

Correct answer:

Dull 

Explanation:

"Pedantic" means dull or focused on the mundane, so "dull" is the correct answer. For clarification, "temporary" means not expected to last long, "transient" means fleeting or passing, and "voluble" means talking fluently.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

A synonym of "plumb" is . . .

Possible Answers:

horizontal

bilk

utterly

vex

fruit

Correct answer:

utterly

Explanation:

"Plumb" is an adverb that means "exactly" when used informally, we need to pick out a word which means something like "exactly." While "fruit" may look like an appealing answer because "plumb" is pronounced in exactly the same way as "plum," a kind of fruit, "plumb" and "plum" mean completely different things, so "fruit" cannot be the correct answer. Since "utterly" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "plumb," "utterly" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

GINGERLY

Possible Answers:

Cautiously

Hastily

Fastening 

Reddening

Gingery

Correct answer:

Cautiously

Explanation:

If you do something “gingerly,” you do it cautiously or carefully. Do not confuse it with, "gingery," which means related to the spice ginger. To clarify the other terms, “reddening” means turning red, such as when blushing; a “fastening” is something you use to affix things together; “hastily” means hurriedly or quickly.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

URGENTLY

Possible Answers:

Tenderly

Pressingly

Dangerously

Frighteningly

Vocationally

Correct answer:

Pressingly

Explanation:

If something is "urgent," it demands immediate or pressing attention. "Frightening" means scary, "dangerous" means risky, and "tender" means gentle. "Vocational" means relating to a job or occupation.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ELEGANTLY

Possible Answers:

Richly

Blindly

Sophisticatedly

Tastelessly

Squeamishly

Correct answer:

Sophisticatedly

Explanation:

"Elegant" can mean graceful, stylish, or sophisticated. "Squeamish" means easily made sick or queasy. A synonym for "rich" is affluent. "Tasteless" means lacking in either flavor or good judgment.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

SELFISHLY

Possible Answers:

Abashedly

Cumulatively

Egocentrically

Grandly

Selflessly

Correct answer:

Egocentrically

Explanation:

To be "selfish" is to lack concern for others, to be egocentric. "Abashed" means embarrassed or ashamed. "Selfless" is the opposite of selfish. "Cumulative" means growing by accumulation. "Grand" means large and impressive.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

EXCITEDLY

Possible Answers:

Patiently

Profusely

Meekly

Enthusiastically

Severally

Correct answer:

Enthusiastically

Explanation:

"Excitedly" means enthusiastically or eagerly. "Profusely" means excessively or extravagantly. "Meekly" means mildly or timidly. "Severally" means individually or separately. "Patient" means enduring difficulty or challenges with calmness.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

BLEAKLY

Possible Answers:

Classically

Comfortingly

Alarmingly

Loudly

Desolately

Correct answer:

Desolately

Explanation:

Something "bleak" is bare, desolate, or stark. Something "comforting" is reassuring and alleviates distress. Something "loud" is noisy, something "classical" is traditional and well established, and something "alarming" is worrisome or disturbing.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

GRIMLY

Possible Answers:

Qualitatively

Underhandedly

Darkly

Excessively

Deviously

Correct answer:

Darkly

Explanation:

"Grim" has a number of meanings: forbidding, dark, humorless, dreadful, and dire. "Excessive" means too much. "Qualitative," the opposite of quantitative refers to properties that aren't able to be measured numerically. "Underhanded" means dishonest or secretive, and "devious" means skillfully underhanded.

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