SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1681 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

POIGNANT

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Moving

Developed

Listless

Green

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

“Poignant” means emotionally painful. It can also mean to the point or piercing. So, "moving," which can mean evoking emotion, is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “poignant”. “Developed” means matured or progressed. “Green” is the color of grass. “Friendly” means kind or welcoming. “Listless” means lacking energy.  

  

Example Question #1682 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

GIDDY

Possible Answers:

Stable

Young

Destroyed

Accelerating

Flighty

Correct answer:

Flighty

Explanation:

"Giddy" means excitable or frivolous. Similarly, the correct answer "flighty" means easily excited or lacking stability. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "accelerating" means speeding up; "young" means juvenile; "stable" means not often changing; and "destroyed" means spoiledwrecked, or defeated.

Example Question #1683 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PLACID

Possible Answers:

Candid

Tranquil

Gregarious

Placated

Dull

Correct answer:

Tranquil

Explanation:

"Placid" is an adjective that means not easily perturbed or excited when referring to a sentient living thing; it can also mean peaceful and calm, and is often used this way to describe bodies of water. While "dull" might seem like a good potential synonym for "placid," "dull" actually means boring or not sharp, so it doesn't mean the same thing that "placid" does. "Tranquil," however, means calm, and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "placid," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1684 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

NONPLUSSED

Possible Answers:

Apathetic

Controlled

Genial

Untrustworthy

Surprised

Correct answer:

Surprised

Explanation:

"Nonplussed" means surprised and bewildered, so "surprised" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1685 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Horrified 

Cerebral 

Ghostly

Scornful

Jubilant 

Correct answer:

Horrified 

Explanation:

If you are “aghast," you are horrified, so "horrified" is the correct answer. For clarification, "cerebral" means intelligent or brainy; "jubilant" means very happy; "scornful" means negative and insulting; and "ghostly" means spectral or like a phantom.

Example Question #1686 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MERRY

Possible Answers:

Engaged

Spiritual

Fanatic

Jolly

Obese

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

"Merry" is used to describe someone or something that is happy and pleasant. One might write, "His neighbors adored his merry, upbeat attitude."

Example Question #1687 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Sullen

Jocular

Excessive

Wise

Apathetic

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."

Example Question #1688 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Snobbish

Peaceful

Corresponding

Challenging

Uninterested

Correct answer:

Uninterested

Explanation:

"Apathetic" means indifferent, emotionless, or "uninterested."

Example Question #1689 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Substantial

Disastrous 

Energetic

Distant

Charged

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

"Aloof" means remote in manner, or "distant."

Example Question #1690 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BLITHE

Possible Answers:

Isolated

Hurried

Candid

Adopted

Joyful

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

"Blithe" means joyful, so the correct answer is "joyful."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors