SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2294 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANACHRONISTIC

Possible Answers:

Recent

Elderly 

Senior

From another time

Soon

Correct answer:

From another time

Explanation:

"Elderly" and "senior" are both closely related in meaning. These answer choices, however, are not perfectly aligned with "anachronistic," which is in fact synonymous with from a time other than the present time. "Soon" and "recent" are also closely related words related to time, they are more specific terms than anachronistic.

Example Question #2295 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROVISIONAL

Possible Answers:

Permanent

Erroneous

Aloof

Temporary

Elusive

Correct answer:

Temporary

Explanation:

The adjective "provisional" means temporary, conditional, designed to be impermanent. Additionally, "permanent" means lasting forever; "elusive" means hard to catch, hard to find, hard to identify; "erroneous" means based on a mistaken belief; "aloof" means distant and withdrawn, detached from human contact and unfriendly.

Example Question #2291 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONTIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Adjoining

Beatific

Incendiary

Abominable

Capricious

Correct answer:

Adjoining

Explanation:

The adjective "contiguous" means not separate, touching one another, adjacent, or adjoining. Additionally, "beatific" means joyous and blissful; "incendiary" means flammable or likely to cause an offended and passionate reaction; "capricious" means fickle, inconsistent, and changeable; and "abominable" means loathsome and hated.

Example Question #2442 : Synonyms

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

INEXORABLE

Possible Answers:

Poised

Indispensable

Unscathed

Relentless

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Relentless

Explanation:

The adjective "inexorable" means unstoppable, "relentless," impossible to prevent from happening. Additionally, "unscathed" means unharmed by; "indispensable" means vital, needed, essential; "abstruse" means (of knowledge) hard to understand, esoteric, arcane, recondite; "poised" means showing calm and composure in a stressful situation.

Example Question #2296 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRECIPITOUS

Possible Answers:

Loose

Dormant

Steep

Wide

Narrow

Correct answer:

Steep

Explanation:

The adjective "precipitous" means dangerously steep, sheer. It can also mean sudden and abrupt. Additionally, "dormant" means sleeping, at rest, not active.

Example Question #2441 : Synonyms

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

INOPPORTUNE

Possible Answers:

Untimely

Insidious

Enigmatic. 

Pusillanimous

Assiduous

Correct answer:

Untimely

Explanation:

The adjective "inopportune" means occurring at the wrong time, inappropriate for the moment, or "untimely." To provide further help, "untimely" means happening at a time deemed unfortunate or inappropriate. Additionally, "enigmatic "means mysterious, puzzling; "pusillanimous" means cowardly, not brave; "assiduous" means hard-working, meticulous, showing 'attention to detail'; "insidious" means treacherous, advancing in a deceptively slow fashion that nonetheless leads to devastating consequences.

Example Question #3196 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

EPISODIC

Possible Answers:

Intermittent

Acclaimed

Limpid

Fallow

Irresolute

Correct answer:

Intermittent

Explanation:

The adjective "episodic" means occurring in episodes, occurring in a series of regularly repeating segments. So, a television show could often be described as "episodic." This definition is closest in meaning to "intermittent" which means occurring at irregular intervals, not continuous. Additionally, "fallow" means (of soil) not being used to grow crops; "irresolute" means uncertain, unsure; "acclaimed" means widely praised; "limpid" means (of a liquid) clear.

Example Question #2301 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Ancient

Glossy

Urgent

Dictatorial

Palpable

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" is an adjective meaning prehistoric, existing at or from the beginning of time. "Ancient" is an adjective meaning belonging to the very distant past, and is an appropriate synonym.

Example Question #2445 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

SPARSE

Possible Answers:

infrequent

menacing

unintelligent

obvious

aggressive

Correct answer:

infrequent

Explanation:

"Sparse" means scattered, meager, or infrequent.

Example Question #1121 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

SPARSE

Possible Answers:

hungry

gregarious

thriving

meager

meticulous

Correct answer:

meager

Explanation:

Sparse means thinly dispersed or meager.

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