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

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

EXTEMPORANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Impromptu

Inane

Fatuous

Contemporary

Rehearsed

Correct answer:

Impromptu

Explanation:

"Extemporaneous" means unrehearsed, "impromptu." This is an antonym for "rehearsed." "Contemporary" means current or occurring at the same time as something else. "Fatuous" means silly, stupid, or inane.

Example Question #111 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

THWARTED

Possible Answers:

Tangential

Sluggish

Nascent

Foiled

Aromatic

Correct answer:

Foiled

Explanation:

To "thwart" a plan is to foil or ruin it. "Sluggish" means lethargic or listless. "Aromatic" is a synonym for "fragrant," and "nascent" is a synonym for "new," not fully formed. Another word for "tangential" is peripheral.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

REPREHENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Frigid

Detestable

Arcane

Jejune

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

Something "reprehensible" is loathsome or "detestable." "Frigid" means very cold, and "jejune" means dull or uninteresting. "Arcane" and "abstruse" are both synonyms for "esoteric."

Example Question #2415 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEJORATIVE

Possible Answers:

Defamatory

Baronial

Extemporaneous

Ephemeral

Elusive

Correct answer:

Defamatory

Explanation:

Something "pejorative" is negative, "defamatory," deprecatory. "Baronial" means grand and stately. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "short-lived" or fleeting. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "improvised." "Elusive" means difficult to catch or find.

Example Question #2416 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MANIFOLD

Possible Answers:

Venal

Nominal

Sundry

Incumbent

Ebullient

Correct answer:

Sundry

Explanation:

The adjective "manifold" means diverse, containing a lot of variety. This is closest in definition to "sundry" which means of several distinct kinds, of several varieties. Additionally, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done, required; "venal" means corrupt and wicked; "nominal" means insignificant, of little importance.

Example Question #2417 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLEONASTIC

Possible Answers:

Quirky

Heinous

Wordy

Exotic

Specious

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

"Pleonastic" means overly "wordy," verbose. "Heinous" is a synonym for "atrocious," and "specious" is a synonym for "misleadingly plausible." "Quirky" means idiosyncratic or strange, and "exotic" means foreign or strange.

Example Question #2418 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUBLIMINAL

Possible Answers:

Outlandish

Subconscious

Exorbitant

Medical

Borderline

Correct answer:

Subconscious

Explanation:

"Subliminal" means subconscious, beneath the surface of the working mind. "Borderline" means on the edges, peripheral. "Outlandish" means bizarre and weird. "Exorbitant" is a synonym for "excessive," and "medical" is the adjective form of "medicine."

Example Question #2419 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AILING

Possible Answers:

Ill

Repellent

Treasonous

Subversive

Penniless

Correct answer:

Ill

Explanation:

"Ailing" means "ill," in poor health. "Treasonous" is a synonym for "treacherous." "Repellent" is a synonym for "disgusting" or revolting. "Subversive" means rebellious or intended to overthrow a government. "Penniless" is another word for "impoverished."

Example Question #1241 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FORESTALLED

Possible Answers:

Nautical

Elderly

Commodious

Failed

Preempted

Correct answer:

Preempted

Explanation:

To "forestall" something is to preempt or prevent it. This is different from outright failure, so "forestalled" and "failed" are not synonyms. Another word for "elderly" is geriatric, and another word for "nautical" is maritime. "Commodious" means capacious or spacious.

Example Question #1241 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PROTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Saccharine

Nescient

Onerous

Ephemeral

Prolonged

Correct answer:

Prolonged

Explanation:

"Protracted" means "prolonged," drawn out. This is an antonym for "ephemeral," which means short-lived and fleeting. While something "protracted" may also be "onerous," or difficult and burdensome, the two are not necessarily synonyms. "Nescient" is another work for ignorant or unaware. "Saccharine" means overly sweet (either literally or figuratively) or sentimental.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors