SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

COLLOQUIAL

Possible Answers:

Silly

Talk

Formal

Common

Local

Correct answer:

Common

Explanation:

Something that is "colloquial" is common in nature. "Common" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "colloquial." Though the word "colloquial" usually refers to common or everyday speech (as opposed to formal language), it can refer to anything informal as well.

Example Question #122 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Unfortunate

Welcome 

Mediocre 

Terse 

Uncharacteristic

Correct answer:

Terse 

Explanation:

“Pithy” means brief and to the point and is most similar in meaning to “terse.” For clarification, mediocre means average, ordinary.

Example Question #123 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

SUBSERVIENT

Possible Answers:

Intellectual 

Acquiescent

Asinine

Appropriate

Impoverished 

Correct answer:

Acquiescent

Explanation:

“Subservient” means eager to obey, inherently submissive. Of the five answer choices, this is most similar in meaning to acquiescent, which means compliant, eager to obey. For clarification, asinine means silly or foolish.

Example Question #124 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

UNILATERAL

Possible Answers:

Untitled

Entitled

Latitudinal

Bilateral

One-sided

Correct answer:

One-sided

Explanation:

"Unilateral" and "one-sided" are synonymous adjectives. The other words share some roots (namely lat- or side) but their meanings do not align with the word unilateral.

Example Question #125 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

DISMAL

Possible Answers:

Bleak

Sterile

Arid

Dry

Clean

Correct answer:

Bleak

Explanation:

"Dismal" and "bleak" are synonyms referring to a state of being inhospitable and dark (in all senses). Their meanings obviously have a negative connotation. "Clean" and "sterile" have definitions related to the idea of being free from dirt, mess, or (in the case of "sterile") germs. "Arid" and "dry" refer to areas that lack water

Example Question #126 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

EXOTIC

Possible Answers:

Reckless

Domestic

Merciful

Foreign

Intolerable

Correct answer:

Foreign

Explanation:

Something "exotic" is strange or foreign. This is the opposite of "domestic." "Reckless" and "risky" are synonyms, as are "intolerable" and "insufferable." "Merciful" means compassionate and forgiving.

Example Question #127 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INEBRIATED

Possible Answers:

Pessimistic

Circuitous

Quarrelsome

Intoxicated

Militant

Correct answer:

Intoxicated

Explanation:

"Inebriated" means drunk or intoxicated. "Quarrelsome" means argumentative, which is also a synonym for "antagonistic." "Pessimistic" and "optimistic" are antonyms, as are "direct" and "circuitous." "Militant" means fanatical, overly zealous.

Example Question #128 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

EVOCATIVE

Possible Answers:

Redolent

Clumsy

Graceful

Abrupt

Tasteless

Correct answer:

Redolent

Explanation:

"Evocative" and "redolent" are synonyms. "Graceful" means elegant or fluid, and "tasteless" is the opposite of tasteful. "Clumsy" means physically awkward, and "abrupt" means sudden.

Example Question #129 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PREFATORY

Possible Answers:

Introductory

Convivial

Arboreal

Garrulous

Loquacious

Correct answer:

Introductory

Explanation:

A "preface" is a type of introduction, so something "prefatory" would be "introductory." "Garrulous" and "loquacious" are two synonyms for talkative. "Convivial" means cheerful. "Arboreal" is a word used to describe trees (think of Arbor Day).

Example Question #130 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FAMISHED

Possible Answers:

Ravenous

Pugnacious

Forthcoming

Imminent

Hideous

Correct answer:

Ravenous

Explanation:

"Famished" means super hungry. "Hideous" means extremely ugly, and "pugnacious" means combative. "Imminent" means impending, approaching, or forthcoming.

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