SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #883 : Synonyms

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

DISTENDED

Possible Answers:

Abstruse

Leery

Swollen

Emaciated

Enthralled

Correct answer:

Swollen

Explanation:

The adjective "distended" means enlarged due to pressure, swollen, bloated. Additionally, "leery" means wary, cautious and careful; "enthralled" means captivated by, deeply interested in and attracted to; "abstruse" means esoteric, arcane, hard to understand; "emaciated" means extremely skinny, very thin and skeletal.

Example Question #884 : Synonyms

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

OSTENTATIOUS

Possible Answers:

Gaudy

Supercilious

Surreptitious

Garbled

Taciturn

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

The adjective "ostentatious" means excessively pretentious and showy. This is closest in meaning to "gaudy" which means lacking class and good taste, excessively extravagant. Additionally, "garbled" means mixed up; "taciturn" means quiet, silent, reserved; "supercilious" means arrogant, overbearing; "surreptitious" means secretive and sneaky.

Example Question #885 : Synonyms

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

CREPUSCULAR

Possible Answers:

Rotund

Dulcet

Burnished

Twilight

Ordinary

Correct answer:

Twilight

Explanation:

"Crepuscular" describes the "twilight" or dusk. "Dulcet" means sweet-sounding or mellifluous. "Ordinary" means average or normal. "Burnished" means polished or shined by careful rubbing, and "rotund" is a synonym for "plump."

Example Question #886 : Synonyms

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

RESINOUS

Possible Answers:

Floral

Sticky

Turgid

Capacious

Exacerbated

Correct answer:

Sticky

Explanation:

"Resin" is sticky brownish natural substance that oozes from trees (similar to sap). "Capacious" is a synonym for "roomy" or spacious. "Floral" is a synonym for "flowery." "Exacerbated" means made worse or more intense, and "turgid" means swollen or distended.

Example Question #887 : Synonyms

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Sordid

Penitent

Winsome

Shapeless

Chartreuse

Correct answer:

Shapeless

Explanation:

"Amorphous" means "shapeless" or formless, blobby. "Penitent" means repentant or contrite. "Chartreuse" is a vivid shade of yellowish green. "Winsome" is a synonym for visually attractive or appealing. "Sordid" means filthy or squalid.

Example Question #888 : Synonyms

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

SUPPERATING

Possible Answers:

Corrugated

Serpentine

Sonorous

Rotting

Orotund

Correct answer:

Rotting

Explanation:

"Suppuration" is rot, pus, or oozing infectious material. "Serpentine" means winding or tortuous. "Orotund" and "sonorous" are synonyms that both mean harmonious or pleasant-sounding. "Corrugated" describes a ridged texture.

Example Question #889 : Synonyms

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

LILTING

Possible Answers:

Sprinkling

Hangdog

Singsong

Twinkling

Waving

Correct answer:

Singsong

Explanation:

A "lilt" is a melodic rhythmic and falling in a voice that is characteristic to some languages and some individual speakers. A "sprinkle" is a light rain or dusting with liquid. "Undulating" is another word for waving gently, and "twinkling" is another word for sparkling. "Hangdog" means shamefaced, sheepish.

Example Question #890 : Synonyms

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

SCRUMPTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Oblique

Noisome

Delicious

Noxious

Equitable

Correct answer:

Delicious

Explanation:

"Scrumptious" means very "delicious." "Noisome" describes an extremely unpleasant or vile smell, and "noxious" similarly means toxic or highly unpleasant. These are both near antonyms for "scrumptious." "Equitable" means fair, balanced, or unbiased. "Oblique" is a synonym for "slanting."

Example Question #841 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNDULATING

Possible Answers:

Wizened

Wavy

Average

Winsome

Shrieking

Correct answer:

Wavy

Explanation:

"Undulating" means "wavy" and often describes a wavelike motion. "Average" means ordinary, not uncommon. A "shriek" is a high-pitched cry or scream. "Winsome" means attractive, and "wizened" means wrinkled and shriveled.

Example Question #842 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Frigid

Tiny

Misunderstood

Gelid

Tawdry

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means minute, tiny. "Gelid" and "frigid" are synonyms for very cold. "Tawdry" is another word for garish or flashy. "Misunderstood" is an antonym for "understood," of course.

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