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 #79 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

FRENZIED

Possible Answers:

Congenial

Assiduous

Depraved

Arcane

Frantic

Correct answer:

Frantic

Explanation:

"Frenzied," "frantic," and "frenetic" are all synonyms. "Arcane" means abstruse or obscure. "Congenial" means friendly and personable. "Depraved" means corrupt or dissolute. "Assiduous" means sedulous or hardworking.

Example Question #80 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

REPROACHFUL

Possible Answers:

Disapproving

Fallacious

Conjectural

Multifarious

Suave

Correct answer:

Disapproving

Explanation:

"Reproachful" and "disapproving" are synonyms. "Multifarious" means manifold or diverse. "Fallacious" means false or erroneous. "Conjectural" is a synonym for speculative, theoretical, or hypothetical. "Suave" and "sophisticated" are synonyms.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

ADDLED

Possible Answers:

Blissful

Terrified

Perplexed

Somber

Lonesome

Correct answer:

Perplexed

Explanation:

The adjective "addled" means confused, perplexed, unable to think clearly (due to drug use or mental illness). Additionally, "somber" means grave and serious; "blissful" means very happy.

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

INCENDIARY

Possible Answers:

Fastidious

Sinewy

Precarious

Instantaneous

Flammable

Correct answer:

Flammable

Explanation:

"Incendiary" means flammable, combustible, likely to catch on fire. It can also be used to describe comments and statements, in which case it means provocative, likely to cause a passionate reaction. Additionally, "precarious" means dangerous; "fastidious" means hard to please, obsessive; "sinewy" means strong, muscular and brawny; "instantaneous" means occurring in an instant.

Example Question #83 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

CENSORIOUS

Possible Answers:

Academic

Fatuous

Hypercritical

Dulcet

Facile

Correct answer:

Hypercritical

Explanation:

"Censorious" means overly critical. "Academic" describes institutionalized study, usually at a university. "Dulcet" means mellifluous or sweet sounding. "Fatuous" is another word for "silly," and "facile" is a synonym for "simplistic" or superficial.

Example Question #84 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Onerous

Asinine

Penitent

Fallacious

Erratic

Correct answer:

Penitent

Explanation:

"Contrite" means "penitent," repentant, or sorry. "Fallacious" means erroneous or false. "Asinine" is another word for stupid or idiotic. "Erratic" is a synonym for "unpredictable." "Onerous" is a synonym for "laborious" or difficult.

Example Question #85 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

VULNERABLE

Possible Answers:

Potent

Defenseless

Solicitous

Prudent

Rash

Correct answer:

Defenseless

Explanation:

"Vulnerable" means "defenseless," powerless, or helpless. This is an antonym for "potent," or powerful. "Rash" is a synonym for "reckless" and an antonym for "prudent" or cautious. "Solicitous" means concerned and caring.

Example Question #86 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

UNFLAPPABLE

Possible Answers:

Laudatory

imperturbable

Eremitic

Gravid

Somnolent

Correct answer:

imperturbable

Explanation:

"Imperturbable" and "unflappable" both mean unable to be upset easily. "Somnolent" means sleepy, and "gravid" means pregnant (literally or figuratively). "Laudatory" is another word for congratulatory or praiseworthy. "Eremitic" is another word for reclusive, solitary.

Example Question #87 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

CONCILIATORY

Possible Answers:

Penurious

Integral

Placatory

Crucial

Winsome

Correct answer:

Placatory

Explanation:

"Conciliatory" means "placatory" or appeasing. "Crucial" means essential, as does integral. "Winsome" is a synonym for "attractive." "Penurious" means impoverished, penniless.

Example Question #88 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

IMPERTERBABLE

Possible Answers:

Composed

Eloquent

Confounded

Obsequious

Spurious

Correct answer:

Composed

Explanation:

"Imperturbable" means calm, "composed," unable to be shaken. "Obsequious" means fawning or flattering, and "spurious" means false or fictitious. "Eloquent" means articulate and fluent. "Confounded" means bewildered.

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