All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ECCENTRIC
Genius
Timid
Moist
Augmented
Peculiar
Peculiar
"Eccentric" means unconventional or strange, as does the correct answer "peculiar." The other choices do not have similar definitions: "augmented" means increased or improved; "genius" means extremely smart; "moist" means damp; and "timid" means shy.
Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SINISTER
Convoluted
Unpleasant
Menacing
Intimate
Familial
Menacing
"Sinister" means evil or criminal, and the correct answer "menacing" means threatening or intimidating. The other choices are not similar to "sinister" or "menacing": "familial" means relating to the family, "unpleasant" means disagreeable, "convoluted" means confusing, and "intimate" means close and personal.
Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FERAL
Wild
Painful
Artificial
Clean
Barbarous
Wild
"Feral" means untamed, or "wild."
Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TERSE
Unhappy
Stern
Unfriendly
Brilliant
Concise
Concise
"Terse" means using very few words in order to make a point. "Concise" means using the minimum amount of words to communicate an idea. Given the similarities in meaning between these words, they are synonyms. While "terse" and "tense" may sound similar, they have different meanings and therefore are not synonyms.
Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SPONTANEOUS
Premeditated
Exceptional
Clandestine
Extemporaneous
Dejected
Extemporaneous
"Spontaneous" is an adjective that means "performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus," so we need to pick out a word that means about the same thing - roughly, "unplanned." While "premeditated" might seem like a good answer because like "spontaneous," it has to do with preparation, "premeditated" actually means "thought out or planned beforehand" and often is used to refer to crimes. So, "premeditated" is an antonym of "spontaneous" and is not the word we're looking for. "Extemporaneous," on the other hand, is an adjective that means "spoken or done without preparation," and since it is closest in meaning to "spontaneous," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #106 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Condescending
Aspiring
Assertive
Querulous
Economical
Querulous
Since "cantankerous" means "bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative," we're looking for another adjective that means "bad-tempered." While "condescending" may sound like a potentially correct answer, "condescending" actually means "having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority." Since "condescending" doesn't mean "bad-tempered," it can't be the right answer. "Querulous," however, means "complaining in a petulant or whining manner," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "cantankerous," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #107 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BELLIGERENT
Confrontational
Placid
Amicable
Assertive
Belie
Confrontational
"Belligerent" is an adjective meaning "angry and aggressive; feeling or showing readiness to fight," so we should pick out another word that means "aggressive." While "assertive" and "confrontational" might both look like potentially correct answers, "confrontational" is the better answer. This is because "assertive" means "confident in behavior in style," and is thus not a synonym of "belligerent," while "confrontational" means "tending to deal with situations in an aggressive way; hostile or argumentative," which is synonymous with "belligerent."
Example Question #108 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBDURATE
Placid
Submissive
Docile
Affluent
Adamant
Adamant
"Obdurate" is used to describe someone that is stubborn or headstrong. Adamant is a synonym of Obdurate. Submissive and Docile are antonyms of Obdurate because they describe someone that is easy to control. Affluent means wealthy and Placid means calm and tranquil. Both of these words have no relation to Obdurate.
Example Question #109 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRUDENT
Rash
Grandiose
Careful
Well-known
Reckless
Careful
"Prudent" means to be careful, so that would be the synonym. Rash and Reckless have the opposite meaning of prudent. Grandiose describes something or someone that is overly showy. Well-known describes something or someone that known my many people. These last two words have no relationship to Prudent in this instance.
Example Question #110 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BOISTEROUS
Calm
Deft
Commodious
Subdued
Loud
Loud
"Boisterous" means to be loud and unrestrained. Subdued and Quiet have the opposite meaning of Boisterous. Commodious means to be roomy, and Deft means to be skilled. These two words have no relation to the Boisterous.
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
