SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1484 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Propitious

Nomadic

Ancient

Laconic

Auspicious

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 #1485 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Refined

Gauche

Adroit

Maritime

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 #1486 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Verbose

Pleonastic

Vicarious

Salutary

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

rapidly

passionately

reluctantly

truthfully

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

solely

maliciously

politely

trifling

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ROUNDLY

Possible Answers:

Cheerfully

Marginally

Openly

Falsely

Emphatically

Correct answer:

Emphatically

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1489 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VICIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Heart-rending

Vicinity

Visibly

Ferociously

Invincible

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. 

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

THOUGHTFULLY

Possible Answers:

Frantically

Ferociously

Viciously

Pensively

Hurriedly

Correct answer:

Pensively

Explanation:

"Thoughtfully" and "pensively" are synonymous adverbs referring to doing something in a considered and intelligent manner. The other words do not have related meanings. In fact, they have meaning that are opposite to "thoughtfully."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

ELUSIVELY

Possible Answers:

Despairingly

Immediately

Skillfully

Mysteriously

Evasively

Correct answer:

Evasively

Explanation:

"Elusive" and "evasive" are synonyms meaning difficult to catch. "Despairing" means hopeless, and "mysterious" means difficult or impossible to explain. "Skillful" means expert or accomplished. "Immediate" means instantaneous.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

PRESENTLY

Possible Answers:

Soon

Urgently

Exotically

Generously

Recently

Correct answer:

Soon

Explanation:

"Presently" can mean currently, but it can also mean directly or soon. Although the word does express a time relationship, it does not mean "recently." "Exotic" means foreign, and "generous" means giving. "Urgent" means dire or pressing.

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