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 #1861 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Attractive

Expensive

Dignified

Cyclic

Snobbish

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 #1862 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Candid

Changeable

Cunning

Abundant

Fast

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1863 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Militant

Cautious

Reckless

Itchy

Brave

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1864 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Satirical 

Nostalgic 

Rude 

Poor

Bashful 

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 #1865 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Crazy 

Daft 

Elusive 

Condescending

Profound 

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 #1866 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Annoyed

Compassionate

Considerable

Elegant

Heartless

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 #1867 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Obtuse

Careful

Diligent

Fleeting

Slack

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Prudent" means careful or cautious.

Example Question #1868 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Crude

Disgusting

Ugly

Lonely

Rude

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Insolent" means exhibiting disrespectful behavior or speech. "Rude" means showing a lack of politeness. Given that politeness is a sign of respect, "insolent" and "rude" are very close in meaning. They are therefore synonyms.

Example Question #1869 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

SUPERCILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Scornful 

Suspicious

Agitated

Serious

Doubtful

Correct answer:

Scornful 

Explanation:

"Supercilious" means looking down on others, or haughty. To be "scornful" means seeing others as being of less value than oneself. These two words are very similar in meaning and therefore synonyms. The other answer choices are unrelated.

Example Question #1870 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRODIGAL

Possible Answers:

Unruly

Foreseen

Imprudent

Coincidental 

Disciplined

Correct answer:

Imprudent

Explanation:

"Prodigal" means spending money in a carefree and reckless way. Thus, "imprudent" (which means not prudent or not careful or wise with one's resources) is the best synonym. (e.g. "The prodigal daughter bought whatever her heart desired, knowing that her relatives would continue to fund her spending habits.")

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors