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 #1051 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Meaningless

Redundant 

Effervescent

Implacable 

Amiable 

Correct answer:

Amiable 

Explanation:

Someone who is “cordial” is very polite and friendly. "Amiable" means friendly or sociable, so it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "cordial." For clarification, "implacable" means relentless; "redundant" means rendered insignificant or useless; and "effervescent" means sparkling or energetic.

Example Question #308 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RESTIVE

Possible Answers:

mollified

unruly

momentous

hurtful

weary

Correct answer:

unruly

Explanation:

"Restive" means difficult to control, impatient, and unruly.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Grimy

Pungent

Meaningful

Intelligent

Sociable

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" is used to describe people who are outgoing, or "sociable."

Example Question #1062 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Unwanted

Unattainable

Pretty

Tangential

Irritable

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

"Irascible" means easily angered, or "irritable."

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TRUCULENT

Possible Answers:

Belligerent

Sharp

Amenable

Methodical

Whimsical

Correct answer:

Belligerent

Explanation:

“Truculent” is an adjective that means aggressively defiant, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like eager to fight. That means that “amenable” cannot be the correct answer, because “amenable” means willing to listen to suggestions when referring to people, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “truculent.” “Belligerent,” however, is an adjective that means hostile, and because “belligerent” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “truculent,” “belligerent” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1064 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Cyclic

Expensive

Snobbish

Attractive

Dignified

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

"Haughty" is an adjective that means disdainful, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disdainful." While "dignified" may seem like a potentially correct answer choice, "dignified" means serious and stately, not disdainful, so "dignified" cannot be the correct answer. "Snobbish," however, is an adjective that means pretentious and disdainful. Because "snobbish" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "haughty," "snobbish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1065 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Fast

Cunning

Changeable

Abundant

Candid

Correct answer:

Cunning

Explanation:

"Wily" means shrewd and clever, or "cunning."

Example Question #1066 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BRASH

Possible Answers:

Cautious

Militant

Reckless

Brave

Itchy

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

Someone who is brash is reckless or heedless of danger, so "reckless" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1067 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Rude 

Satirical 

Nostalgic 

Bashful 

Poor

Correct answer:

Rude 

Explanation:

Someone who is “insolent” is disrespectful and rude. For clarification, "bashful" means easily embarrassed; "nostalgic" means fondly remembering past events; and "satirical" means ironic and sarcastic.

Example Question #1068 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Elusive 

Daft 

Crazy 

Profound 

Condescending

Correct answer:

Condescending

Explanation:

“Supercilious” means condescending, or rude and arrogant. For clarification, elusive refers to something that is hard to capture or detect; profound means deep and meaningful; daft means foolish or silly.

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