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 #1102 : Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Pungent

Meaningful

Sociable

Grimy

Intelligent

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" is used to describe people who are outgoing, or "sociable."

Example Question #1103 : Synonyms

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Irritable

Pretty

Unwanted

Tangential

Unattainable

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

"Irascible" means easily angered, or "irritable."

Example Question #1104 : Synonyms

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

TRUCULENT

Possible Answers:

Belligerent

Amenable

Methodical

Sharp

Whimsical

Correct answer:

Belligerent

Explanation:

“Truculent” is an adjective that means aggressively defiant, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like eager to fight. That means that “amenable” cannot be the correct answer, because “amenable” means willing to listen to suggestions when referring to people, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “truculent.” “Belligerent,” however, is an adjective that means hostile, and because “belligerent” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “truculent,” “belligerent” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1105 : Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Snobbish

Dignified

Attractive

Cyclic

Expensive

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

"Haughty" is an adjective that means disdainful, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disdainful." While "dignified" may seem like a potentially correct answer choice, "dignified" means serious and stately, not disdainful, so "dignified" cannot be the correct answer. "Snobbish," however, is an adjective that means pretentious and disdainful. Because "snobbish" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "haughty," "snobbish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1106 : Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Fast

Changeable

Abundant

Candid

Cunning

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

"Wily" means shrewd and clever, or "cunning."

Example Question #1107 : Synonyms

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Brave

Itchy

Militant

Reckless

Cautious

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

Someone who is brash is reckless or heedless of danger, so "reckless" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1108 : Synonyms

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Nostalgic 

Satirical 

Bashful 

Poor

Rude 

Correct answer:

Rude 

Explanation:

Someone who is “insolent” is disrespectful and rude. For clarification, "bashful" means easily embarrassed; "nostalgic" means fondly remembering past events; and "satirical" means ironic and sarcastic.

Example Question #1109 : Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Profound 

Crazy 

Daft 

Elusive 

Condescending

Correct answer:

Condescending

Explanation:

“Supercilious” means condescending, or rude and arrogant. For clarification, elusive refers to something that is hard to capture or detect; profound means deep and meaningful; daft means foolish or silly.

Example Question #1061 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Compassionate

Considerable

Annoyed

Heartless

Elegant

Correct answer:

Heartless

Explanation:

While both "heartless" and "annoyed" may seem like potential synonyms for "callous," "callous" is an adjective meaning "showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others," so "heartless" is the best answer, because its meaning is closer to "callous" than that of "annoyed" is.

Example Question #1062 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Diligent

Careful

Obtuse

Slack

Fleeting

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Prudent" means careful or cautious.

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