SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2301 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EPISODIC

Possible Answers:

Intermittent

Limpid

Irresolute

Fallow

Acclaimed

Correct answer:

Intermittent

Explanation:

The adjective "episodic" means occurring in episodes, occurring in a series of regularly repeating segments. So, a television show could often be described as "episodic." This definition is closest in meaning to "intermittent" which means occurring at irregular intervals, not continuous. Additionally, "fallow" means (of soil) not being used to grow crops; "irresolute" means uncertain, unsure; "acclaimed" means widely praised; "limpid" means (of a liquid) clear.

Example Question #2302 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Dictatorial

Urgent

Palpable

Ancient

Glossy

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" is an adjective meaning prehistoric, existing at or from the beginning of time. "Ancient" is an adjective meaning belonging to the very distant past, and is an appropriate synonym.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

SPARSE

Possible Answers:

infrequent

menacing

unintelligent

obvious

aggressive

Correct answer:

infrequent

Explanation:

"Sparse" means scattered, meager, or infrequent.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

SPARSE

Possible Answers:

thriving

meticulous

gregarious

meager

hungry

Correct answer:

meager

Explanation:

Sparse means thinly dispersed or meager.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

RIFE.

Possible Answers:

Roomy 

Common 

Rare 

Misplaced 

Obvious 

Correct answer:

Common 

Explanation:

“Rife” means common or found frequently. Usually you will hear as part of the expression something was rife with something. For example, her hair was rife with lice. The correct synonym is “common.”

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

BEREFT. 

Possible Answers:

Lacking 

Surfeit 

Excess

Surplus 

Donate 

Correct answer:

Lacking 

Explanation:

To be “bereft” means to be lacking. As in, “she was bereft of ideas, having tried everything.” For clarification, "excess," "surfeit" and "surplus" are all synonyms and mean to have too much of something; as such they are antonyms of “bereft” and “lacking.”

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

INEXHAUSTIBLE

Possible Answers:

rampant

few

weary

fluid

unlimited

Correct answer:

unlimited

Explanation:

"Inexhaustible" means existing in abundance, or unlimited.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

ABUNDANT.

Possible Answers:

Miserable

Serendipitous

Vain 

Poignant 

Plentiful 

Correct answer:

Plentiful 

Explanation:

“Abundant” means plentiful, or well-supplied. For clarification, serendipitous means fortunate or relating to good fortune; vain can either mean pointless when used to describe an activity or action or it can mean obsessed with one’s own image if used to describe a person; poignant means moving, or particularly penetrating and perceptive.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.

Abundant

Possible Answers:

A lot

Diminutive

Famished

Dehydrated

Implacable

Correct answer:

A lot

Explanation:

"Abundant" means a lot; Diminutive means small; Famished means starving or without food; Dehydrated means without water or thirsty; and Implacable means cannot be be satsifed.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

CUMULATIVE

Possible Answers:

selective

amassed

alleged

trite

poignant

Correct answer:

amassed

Explanation:

"Cumulative" means increasing in quantity by successive additions, or amassed.

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