All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
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
Determined
Unseemly
Shallow
Unoriginal
Notorious
Unoriginal
“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
curious
parallel
insipid
detrimental
intriguing
insipid
“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
Commonplace
Diction
Chaotic
Rhetorical
Legendary
Commonplace
“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
Durable
Normal
Risky
Wet
Flawless
Flawless
"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
Boring
Judgmental
Competitive
Agressive
Unbecoming
Boring
"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
Sturdy
Folded
Rundown
Confusing
Hairless
Rundown
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
Impractical
Enormous
Insightful
Overused
Derisive
Overused
Clichéd means overused.
Example Question #2350 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LUXURIOUS
Opulent
Reticent
Financial
Vindicated
Massive
Opulent
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
Zesty
Cowardly
Creative
Medicinal
Commonplace
Commonplace
"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
Melancholy
Scented
Excellent
Creamy
Understood
Excellent
"Sterling" means excellent or valuable.
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