SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1005 : Synonyms

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

HANGDOG

Possible Answers:

Criminal

Broke

Indulgent

Shamefaced

Abject

Correct answer:

Shamefaced

Explanation:

"Hangdog" means shamefaced, "abashed," or "ashamed" and often describes a person's facial expression. "Broke" means temporarily or currently short on money, and "criminal" as an adjective means inclined to commit or having already committed crime. "Abject" means craven, miserable. "Indulgent" means lenient, generous, or softhearted.

Example Question #1006 : Synonyms

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

LACHRYMOSE

Possible Answers:

Appetizing

Weepy

Confounded

Sickened

Nutty

Correct answer:

Weepy

Explanation:

"Lachrymose" means weepy," tearful, or sad. "Appetizing" means appealing, tasty. "Confounded" means bewildered, and "nutty" means zany or crazy. "Sickened" means ill, ailing.

Example Question #1007 : Synonyms

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

VIRULENT

Possible Answers:

Bizarre

Hostile

Congenial

Affable

Innocuous

Correct answer:

Hostile

Explanation:

"Virulent" can mean dangerously toxic or venomous, but it can also mean "hostile," bitter, and rancorous. This is an antonym for "innocuous," which means harmless. "Bizarre" means outlandish or strange, and "congenial" means friendly or personable. "Affable" has a similar meaning of friendly, amiable, and cordial.

Example Question #1008 : Synonyms

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

CRESTFALLEN

Possible Answers:

Calamitous

Woebegone

Leery

Emotive

Unlucky

Correct answer:

Woebegone

Explanation:

"Crestfallen" means downhearted, sad, and "woebegone." "Leery" is another word for cautious or guarded, and "calamitous" is another word for disastrous. "Emotive" means expressive of one's feelings. An antonym for "unlucky" is serendipitous.

Example Question #1009 : Synonyms

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

SPLENETIC

Possible Answers:

Frenzied

Bizarre

Angry

Superstitious

Quizzical

Correct answer:

Angry

Explanation:

"Splenetic" means "angry" or irritable. ("Spleen" is an old-fashioned word for anger and frustration.) Don't confuse this with "frenetic," which means frenzied. "Quizzical" means curious or puzzling, and "bizarre" means strange or outlandish. "Superstitious" means having an irrational belief in superstitions.

Example Question #1010 : Synonyms

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

HOMICIDAL

Possible Answers:

Doleful

Prurient

Murderous

Puerile

Embarrassed

Correct answer:

Murderous

Explanation:

"Homicidal" can mean literally "murderous" or figuratively very violent and brutal. "Prurient" means lustful, while "puerile" means immature or juvenile. "Embarrassed" is another word for ashamed. "Doleful" is another word for forlorn or mournful.

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

JOCULAR

Possible Answers:

Jubilant

Panglossian

Gelid

Sardonic

Humorous

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

"Jocular" means "humorous" or joking. This is not the same as "jubilant," which means overjoyed. "Sardonic" means sarcastic, and "Panglossian" means overly optimistic and naively hopeful. "Gelid" means very cold, frigid.

Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

WAGGISH

Possible Answers:

Maudlin

Hedonistic

Salacious

Inimitable

Humorous

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

Someone who is behaving in a "waggish" way is being playfully or mischievously funny. This is an antonym for "maudlin," which means tearfully sentimental or excessively sorrowful. "Inimitable" means one of a kind. "Hedonistic" means concerned with the pursuit of pleasure. "Salacious" is a synonym for "prurient."

Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

RETICENT

Possible Answers:

Contrite

Immoral

Decorous

Amorous

Introverted

Correct answer:

Introverted

Explanation:

"Reticent" means shy, withdrawn, quiet, or "introverted." "Amorous" means loving (often in a very apparent way), and "immoral" is an antonym for "moral." "Decorous" means polite and proper, while "contrite" means penitent.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

BALEFUL

Possible Answers:

Quarrelsome

Germane

Hostile

Auspicious

Aubergine

Correct answer:

Hostile

Explanation:

"Baleful" can mean "hostile," harmful, or threatening and often describe's a person's expression or intentions. "Germane" is a synonym for "relevant." "Auspicious" means fortunate, propitious. "Aubergine" is a shade of purple (and synonymous with eggplant in British English). "Quarrelsome" has the same meaning as bickering.

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