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 #195 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

TANTAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Crucial

Conjectural

Admonishing

Squeamish

Equivalent

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

Unlike "paramount," which means crucial, "tantamount" simply means equivalent to. To "admonish" is to warn or chastise someone. "Conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Squeamish" means easily nauseated, queasy.

Example Question #196 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FEBRILE

Possible Answers:

Torpid

Feverish

Tacit

Crucial

Archaic

Correct answer:

Feverish

Explanation:

"Febrile" is another word for "feverish." While someone who is "feverish" may be "torpid," or sluggish, the two words are not necessarily synonymous. "Crucial" means vital, essential. "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken." "Archaic" means outdated, antiquated.

Example Question #197 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PRIMAL

Possible Answers:

Trite

Fundamental

Tangential

Tantamount

Banal

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

"Primal" can mean "fundamental" or primitive, depending on the context. "Tantamount" means equivalent, and "tangential" is a synonym for "barely relevant." "Banal" and "trite" are synonyms for extremely boring.

Example Question #198 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Ancient

Auspicious

Nomadic

Propitious

Laconic

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" means "ancient" and primitive. "Ribald" means rude, irreverent. "Propitious" and "auspicious" both mean favorable. "Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" and "pithy." "Nomadic" means wandering from place to place.

Example Question #199 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Maritime

Adroit

Gauche

Refined

Unisex

Correct answer:

Unisex

Explanation:

"Androgynous" means "unisex" or having characteristics of both the male and female genders. "Gauche" means tasteless or inelegant, which is an antonym for "refined." "Adroit" means skillful and adept. "Maritime" is a synonym for "nautical."

Example Question #200 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Verbose

Salutary

Pleonastic

Vicarious

Unethical

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Unconscionable" means indefensible, immoral, and "unethical." "Pleonastic" and "verbose" both mean excessively wordy. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," and "salutary" means very healthful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

Possible Answers:

calmly

truthfully

reluctantly

passionately

rapidly

Correct answer:

passionately

Explanation:

"Vehemently" means with strong feeling or passion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MERELY

Possible Answers:

disappointing

maliciously

solely

trifling

politely

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

"Merely" is an adverb meaning just, only, or solely.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ROUNDLY

Possible Answers:

Cheerfully

Emphatically

Openly

Falsely

Marginally

Correct answer:

Emphatically

Explanation:

"Roundly" means done in an emphatic or vehement way.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

VICIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Vicinity

Heart-rending

Visibly

Invincible

Ferociously

Correct answer:

Ferociously

Explanation:

"Viciously" and "ferociously" are synonymous adverbs describing a savage, violent or destructive way of performing an action, attacking viciously, for example. The other words do not share this meaning. In fact, some of the other answer choices are not even adverbs. 

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