SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1153 : Synonyms

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

RECALCITRANT

Possible Answers:

Disobedient 

Hardworking

Loyal 

Lazy 

Jubilant 

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 #1154 : Synonyms

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

JAUNTY

Possible Answers:

Provocative

Broken

Colorful

Macabre

Lively

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

Jaunty means cheerful, confident, and lively.

Example Question #1155 : Synonyms

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

CHARISMATIC

Possible Answers:

Shabby

Intellectual

Magnetic

Regulated

Whimsical

Correct answer:

Magnetic

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1153 : Synonyms

SARDONIC

Possible Answers:

Hopeful

Scornful

Emotional

Supportive

Physical

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 #1156 : Synonyms

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

PRESCIENT

Possible Answers:

Measured

Clairvoyant

Crucial

Oblivious

Forgetful

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 #1111 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSULAR

Possible Answers:

Worried

Tolerant

Narrow-minded

Presumptuous

Sordid

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 #1112 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISINGENUOUS

Possible Answers:

Inveterate

Duplicitous

Dreary

Genuine

Mobile

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 #1113 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Dreary

Proud

Quiet

Plucky

Timid

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.

Example Question #1114 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Poetic

Disobedient

Enriching

Frequent

Hydrating

Correct answer:

Disobedient

Explanation:

"Unruly" means disobedient or uncontrollable.

Example Question #1115 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Floral

Sharp

Narrow Minded

Idealistic

Complex

Correct answer:

Sharp

Explanation:

"Keen" means sharp or very perceptive.

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