SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1101 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NAIVE

Possible Answers:

Primary

Bitter

Inexperienced 

Delayed

Digital

Correct answer:

Inexperienced 

Explanation:

Naïve means inexperienced or having a lack of judgment.  

Example Question #1102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Exclusive

Odorous

Murky

Outdated

Cautious

Correct answer:

Cautious

Explanation:

Prudent means cautious or wise.  

Example Question #361 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RECALCITRANT

Possible Answers:

Hardworking

Jubilant 

Loyal 

Lazy 

Disobedient 

Correct answer:

Disobedient 

Explanation:

“Recalcitrant” is an adjective used to describe someone’s disobedience or stubborn resistance. Note that “jubilant” means very happy.

Example Question #362 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

JAUNTY

Possible Answers:

Broken

Colorful

Macabre

Lively

Provocative

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

Jaunty means cheerful, confident, and lively.

Example Question #363 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CHARISMATIC

Possible Answers:

Magnetic

Whimsical

Intellectual

Regulated

Shabby

Correct answer:

Magnetic

Explanation:

Charismatic describes a person who is charming, compelling, or has a magnetic personality.

Example Question #364 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

SARDONIC

Possible Answers:

Hopeful

Physical

Emotional

Supportive

Scornful

Correct answer:

Scornful

Explanation:

“Sardonic” is an adjective that means “grimly mocking or cynical,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cynical.” That means that “supportive” cannot be the correct answer, because “supportive” means “providing encouragement or emotional help,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “sardonic.” “Scornful,” however, is an adjective that means “feeling or expressing contempt or derision,” and because “scornful” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “sardonic,” “scornful” is the correct answer.

Example Question #365 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PRESCIENT

Possible Answers:

Forgetful

Clairvoyant

Oblivious

Crucial

Measured

Correct answer:

Clairvoyant

Explanation:

“Prescient” is an adjective that means “having or showing knowledge of events before they take place,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “having foreknowledge of events.” That means that “Oblivious” cannot be the correct answer, because “oblivious” means “not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one,” a meaning quite distant from that of “prescient.” “Clairvoyant,” however, when used as an adjective, means “having or exhibiting an ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact,” and because “clairvoyant” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “prescient,” “clairvoyant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #366 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INSULAR

Possible Answers:

Worried

Tolerant

Presumptuous

Sordid

Narrow-minded

Correct answer:

Narrow-minded

Explanation:

“Insular” is an adjective that can mean “ignorant of cultures, ideas, or peoples other than one's own,” or “lacking contact; isolated” or “relating to islands.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ignorant of other cultures, ideas,” “lacking contact with other people, or “of an island.” That means that “tolerant” cannot be the correct answer, because “tolerant” means “showing willingness to allow the existence of other opinions,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “insular.” “Narrow-minded,” however, is an adjective that can mean “prejudiced,” and because “narrow-minded” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “insular,” “narrow-minded” is the correct answer.

Example Question #367 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DISINGENUOUS

Possible Answers:

Mobile

Duplicitous

Genuine

Inveterate

Dreary

Correct answer:

Duplicitous

Explanation:

“Disingenuous” is an adjective that means “not candid or sincere,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not sincere.” That means that “genuine” cannot be the correct answer, because “genuine” means “sincere” when referring to a person, emotion, or action, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “disingenuous.” “Duplicitous,” however, is an adjective that means “deceitful,” and because “duplicitous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “disingenuous,” “duplicitous” is the correct answer.

Example Question #368 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Plucky

Timid

Dreary

Proud

Quiet

Correct answer:

Timid

Explanation:

“Craven” is an adjective that means “cowardly,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cowardly.” That means that “plucky” cannot be the correct answer, because “plucky” means “courage in the face of difficulties,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “craven.” “Timid,” however, is an adjective that means “showing a lack of courage or confidence,” and because “timid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “craven,” “timid” is the correct answer.

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