SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Determined 

Unseemly 

Shallow

Unoriginal

Notorious 

Correct answer:

Unoriginal

Explanation:

“Banal” means unoriginal and boring, so "unoriginal" is the correct answer. For clarification, "unseemly" means unpleasant or undesirable; "determined" means motivated; "shallow" describes someone who is not thinking or feeling deeply; and "notorious" means infamous.

Example Question #2344 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VAPID

Possible Answers:

curious

parallel

insipid

detrimental

intriguing

Correct answer:

insipid

Explanation:

“Vapid” is an adjective that means “offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; empty” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not stimulating or challenging.” That means that “intriguing” cannot be the correct answer, because “intriguing” means “arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “vapid.” “Insipid,” however, is an adjective that means either “lacking flavor” or “lacking vigor or interest,” and because “insipid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vapid,” “insipid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2345 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROSAIC

Possible Answers:

Commonplace 

Diction 

Chaotic

Rhetorical

Legendary

Correct answer:

Commonplace 

Explanation:

“Prosaic” describes something ordinary or commonplace. You might have thought the correct answer is “rhetorical” because of the relationship between “prose” and “rhetoric,” but “prosaic” is unrelated to “prose.” For clarification, "rhetorical" means relating to the skill of persuasive language, and "diction" means spoken clarity or choice of words.

Example Question #2346 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPECCABLE

Possible Answers:

Durable

Normal

Risky

Wet

Flawless

Correct answer:

Flawless

Explanation:

"Impeccable" means faultless or flawless.

Example Question #2347 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Boring

Judgmental

Competitive

Agressive

Unbecoming

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Insipid" means lacking flavor or uninteresting. "Boring" means lacking the quality of being interesting. Both "boring" and "insipid" mean mundane or banal. Thus, these two words are synonyms.

Example Question #2348 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Sturdy

Folded

Rundown

Confusing

Hairless

Correct answer:

Rundown

Explanation:

Something that is "dilapidated" is worn out, rickety, and rundown.

Example Question #2349 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CLICHÉD

Possible Answers:

Impractical

Enormous

Insightful

Overused

Derisive

Correct answer:

Overused

Explanation:

Clichéd means overused.

Example Question #2350 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LUXURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Opulent

Reticent

Financial

Vindicated

Massive

Correct answer:

Opulent

Explanation:

Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.

Example Question #2351 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Zesty

Cowardly

Creative

Medicinal

Commonplace

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

Example Question #2352 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STERLING

Possible Answers:

Melancholy

Scented

Excellent

Creamy

Understood

Correct answer:

Excellent

Explanation:

"Sterling" means excellent or valuable.

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