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 #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

EXCEPTIONAL

Possible Answers:

Morose

Pungent

Reflective

Garrulous

Prodigious

Correct answer:

Prodigious

Explanation:

"Exceptional" means outstanding or brilliant, as does the correct answer, "prodigious." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "exceptional": "garrulous" means talkative, "pungent" means having a strong smell or taste, "morose" means gloomy, and "reflective" means either reflecting light or thoughtful.

Example Question #3241 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Unoriginal

Notorious 

Shallow

Determined 

Unseemly 

Correct answer:

Unoriginal

Explanation:

“Banal” means unoriginal and boring, so "unoriginal" is the correct answer. For clarification, "unseemly" means unpleasant or undesirable; "determined" means motivated; "shallow" describes someone who is not thinking or feeling deeply; and "notorious" means infamous.

Example Question #3242 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

VAPID

Possible Answers:

detrimental

insipid

curious

intriguing

parallel

Correct answer:

insipid

Explanation:

“Vapid” is an adjective that means “offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; empty” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not stimulating or challenging.” That means that “intriguing” cannot be the correct answer, because “intriguing” means “arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “vapid.” “Insipid,” however, is an adjective that means either “lacking flavor” or “lacking vigor or interest,” and because “insipid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vapid,” “insipid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3243 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PROSAIC

Possible Answers:

Chaotic

Legendary

Commonplace 

Diction 

Rhetorical

Correct answer:

Commonplace 

Explanation:

“Prosaic” describes something ordinary or commonplace. You might have thought the correct answer is “rhetorical” because of the relationship between “prose” and “rhetoric,” but “prosaic” is unrelated to “prose.” For clarification, "rhetorical" means relating to the skill of persuasive language, and "diction" means spoken clarity or choice of words.

Example Question #3244 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

IMPECCABLE

Possible Answers:

Risky

Normal

Wet

Flawless

Durable

Correct answer:

Flawless

Explanation:

"Impeccable" means faultless or flawless.

Example Question #3245 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Competitive

Boring

Agressive

Unbecoming

Judgmental

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Insipid" means lacking flavor or uninteresting. "Boring" means lacking the quality of being interesting. Both "boring" and "insipid" mean mundane or banal. Thus, these two words are synonyms.

Example Question #3246 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Rundown

Folded

Sturdy

Confusing

Hairless

Correct answer:

Rundown

Explanation:

Something that is "dilapidated" is worn out, rickety, and rundown.

Example Question #3247 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CLICHÉD

Possible Answers:

Impractical

Derisive

Overused

Insightful

Enormous

Correct answer:

Overused

Explanation:

Clichéd means overused.

Example Question #3248 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

LUXURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Massive

Reticent

Opulent

Financial

Vindicated

Correct answer:

Opulent

Explanation:

Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.

Example Question #2495 : Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Zesty

Creative

Medicinal

Cowardly

Commonplace

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

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