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 #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

WOEFUL

Possible Answers:

Shabby

Destitute

Morose

Stalwart

Courageous

Correct answer:

Morose

Explanation:

"Woeful" means full of woe, or very sad, so "morose," an adjective that means miserable, glum, or irritable, is the correct answer. "Courageous" means brave. "Stalwart" means strong and reliable. "Destitute" means poor and impoverished. "Shabby" means run-down or in a very bad condition.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

POIGNANT

Possible Answers:

Moving

Green

Friendly

Listless

Developed

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

“Poignant” means emotionally painful. It can also mean to the point or piercing. So, "moving," which can mean evoking emotion, is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “poignant”. “Developed” means matured or progressed. “Green” is the color of grass. “Friendly” means kind or welcoming. “Listless” means lacking energy.  

  

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

GIDDY

Possible Answers:

Flighty

Young

Destroyed

Accelerating

Stable

Correct answer:

Flighty

Explanation:

"Giddy" means excitable or frivolous. Similarly, the correct answer "flighty" means easily excited or lacking stability. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "accelerating" means speeding up; "young" means juvenile; "stable" means not often changing; and "destroyed" means spoiledwrecked, or defeated.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PLACID

Possible Answers:

Tranquil

Dull

Candid

Placated

Gregarious

Correct answer:

Tranquil

Explanation:

"Placid" is an adjective that means not easily perturbed or excited when referring to a sentient living thing; it can also mean peaceful and calm, and is often used this way to describe bodies of water. While "dull" might seem like a good potential synonym for "placid," "dull" actually means boring or not sharp, so it doesn't mean the same thing that "placid" does. "Tranquil," however, means calm, and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "placid," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

NONPLUSSED

Possible Answers:

Controlled

Apathetic

Untrustworthy

Surprised

Genial

Correct answer:

Surprised

Explanation:

"Nonplussed" means surprised and bewildered, so "surprised" is the correct answer.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Ghostly

Horrified 

Cerebral 

Jubilant 

Scornful

Correct answer:

Horrified 

Explanation:

If you are “aghast," you are horrified, so "horrified" is the correct answer. For clarification, "cerebral" means intelligent or brainy; "jubilant" means very happy; "scornful" means negative and insulting; and "ghostly" means spectral or like a phantom.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MERRY

Possible Answers:

Fanatic

Spiritual

Jolly

Engaged

Obese

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

"Merry" is used to describe someone or something that is happy and pleasant. One might write, "His neighbors adored his merry, upbeat attitude."

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Excessive

Wise

Jocular

Apathetic

Sullen

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Challenging

Corresponding

Peaceful

Uninterested

Snobbish

Correct answer:

Uninterested

Explanation:

"Apathetic" means indifferent, emotionless, or "uninterested."

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Charged

Distant

Disastrous 

Energetic

Substantial

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

"Aloof" means remote in manner, or "distant."

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