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 #771 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KITSCHY

Possible Answers:

Adorable

Old-fashioned

Chipper

Unconventional

Gaudy

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

"Kitschy" and "gaudy" are both words to describe something that is cheap and tacky.

Example Question #772 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RADIANT

Possible Answers:

Paltry

Enthused

Beaming

Scientific

Poisonous

Correct answer:

Beaming

Explanation:

"Radiant" means luminous, or "beaming."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

OPULENT

Possible Answers:

Complex

Opaque

Putrid

Sumptuous

Benevolent

Correct answer:

Sumptuous

Explanation:

"Opulent" is an adjective that means lavish, and since "sumptuous" means expensive-looking, it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "opulent," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #773 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PULCHRITUDE

Possible Answers:

Removal

Beauty

Conception

Exit

Nightmare

Correct answer:

Beauty

Explanation:

"Pulchritude" means beauty, so "beauty" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "pulchritude": "exit" means departure; "conception" means start; "nightmare" means bad dream; and "removal" means elimination.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

IMPERVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Stained

Independent

Flawless

Unaffected

Insignificant

Correct answer:

Unaffected

Explanation:

"Impervious" means not letting things pass through, or unaffected by something. One might write, "While everyone else got sick, Michael seemed impervious to germs."

Example Question #774 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEBULOUS

Possible Answers:

Morose 

Celebrated 

Nefarious 

Concrete 

Indistinct 

Correct answer:

Indistinct 

Explanation:

“Nebulous” means murky or indistinct. For clarification, "morose" means very sad; "nefarious" means wicked or infamous.

Example Question #775 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRIDENT

Possible Answers:

Immature

Retroactive

Written

Ambiguous

Harsh

Correct answer:

Harsh

Explanation:

"Strident" means loud or harsh.

Example Question #776 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Wise 

Munificent

Light 

Bifocal 

Audible 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

“Diaphanous” means light, and is most commonly used to describe fabric or material. For clarification, "audible" means able to be heard; "bifocal" means having two focal lengths,and refers to a type of glasses; "munificent" means very generous.

Example Question #821 : Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Business-like

Commandeering

Unhealthy

Intelligent

Portly

Correct answer:

Portly

Explanation:

Corpulent literally means fat, or having a large body. The only one of the answer choices that means fat is "portly."

You may have seen the root "corp" and thought of words like corporation or corporal, but the root of each of those words actually has to do with the Latin word "corpus," which literally means body.

Example Question #822 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

PELLUCID

Possible Answers:

Awful

Extravagant

Voluntary

Clear

Crimson

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

"Pellucid" means clear or transparent. The root word "lucere" means to shine in Latin. So, the best answer choice is "clear."

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