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 #1326 : Synonyms

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

UNSAVORY

Possible Answers:

Luckless

Serendipitous

Sanguine

Untrustworthy

Insipid

Correct answer:

Untrustworthy

Explanation:

"Unsavory" can either mean not tasty or disreputable and "untrustworthy," depending on context. "Sanguine" is a synonym for "cheerful." "Insipid" means boring or uninspired. "Luckless" means unfortunate. "Serendipitous," or lucky, is an antonym of this.

Example Question #1327 : Synonyms

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

SYCOPHANTIC

Possible Answers:

Recalcitrant

Percipient

Perspicacious

Fawning

Adversarial

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"Sycophantic" is a synonym for "fawning," servile, and obsequious. "Percipient" and "perspicacious" both mean alert, perceptive, or astute. "Recalcitrant" means stubborn or resistant. "Adversarial" is a synonym for "antagonistic."

Example Question #1328 : Synonyms

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

PRETENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Dismayed

Threadbare

Treacherous

Anemic

Highfalutin

Correct answer:

Highfalutin

Explanation:

"Pretentious" is an adjective meaning attempting to impress by affecting greater importance. "Highfalutin" is an adjective meaning pompous in an irritating, self-important manner and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #1321 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PRONE

Possible Answers:

flat

steadfast

dark

noisy

susceptible

Correct answer:

susceptible

Explanation:

Prone means likely to suffer from something, or susceptible to something.

Example Question #1322 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

IMPASSABLE

Possible Answers:

blocked

welcoming

formulaic

threatening

courageous

Correct answer:

blocked

Explanation:

Impassable means impossible to travel through, or blocked.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MATERNAL

Possible Answers:

concise

fierce

familial

groundbreaking

motherly

Correct answer:

motherly

Explanation:

Maternal means of or relating to mothers, or motherly.

Example Question #1331 : Synonyms

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

DELETERIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Rudimentary

Healthy 

Enigma 

Pernicious 

Bellicose 

Correct answer:

Pernicious 

Explanation:

“Deleterious” means extremely harmful, which is the same meaning of the word “pernicious.” For clarification, "rudimentary" means basic; "enigma" means mystery; "bellicose" means ready for or inclined towards warfare.

Example Question #1332 : Synonyms

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

PRECARIOUS. 

Possible Answers:

Unimpressive 

Illusory 

Perfect 

Uncertain 

Preliminary

Correct answer:

Uncertain 

Explanation:

If something is “precarious,” it is uncertain or unstable,with connotations of danger. The placement of a cup on the edge of a table would be “precariously” situated. For clarification, "preliminary" means coming before something; "illusory" means not real or imaginary.

Example Question #1333 : Synonyms

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

NEFARIOUS. 

Possible Answers:

Discerning 

Honest

Wicked 

Hard-working

Unscrupulous

Correct answer:

Wicked 

Explanation:

“Nefarious” means wicked, infamous or evil. For clarification, "unscrupulous" means not restrained by moral or ethical principles; "discerning" means selective and showing good judgment.

Example Question #1334 : Synonyms

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

OLFACTORY. 

Possible Answers:

Relating to the sense of smell

Relating to the sense of hearing

Relating to the sense of touch

Relating to the sense of taste

Relating to the sense of sight

Correct answer:

Relating to the sense of smell

Explanation:

“Olfactory” means relating to the sense of smell.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors