SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2341 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MARVELOUS

Possible Answers:

Typical

Big

Natural

Astonishing

Interesting

Correct answer:

Astonishing

Explanation:

Something that is "marvelous" is amazing or beyong belief. "Astonishing" is the best choice because it means causing surprise or wonder. Considering the other choices, something that is "typical" is common and would not amaze anyone as a result. The other choices have no relation in meaning to "marvelous."

Example Question #2342 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXCEPTIONAL

Possible Answers:

Reflective

Pungent

Prodigious

Morose

Garrulous

Correct answer:

Prodigious

Explanation:

"Exceptional" means outstanding or brilliant, as does the correct answer, "prodigious." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "exceptional": "garrulous" means talkative, "pungent" means having a strong smell or taste, "morose" means gloomy, and "reflective" means either reflecting light or thoughtful.

Example Question #2343 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Unoriginal

Unseemly 

Shallow

Determined 

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:

intriguing

parallel

insipid

curious

detrimental

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:

Chaotic

Rhetorical

Diction 

Legendary

Commonplace 

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

Wet

Flawless

Risky

Normal

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:

Unbecoming

Agressive

Boring

Judgmental

Competitive

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

Rundown

Hairless

Folded

Confusing

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:

Derisive

Impractical

Enormous

Insightful

Overused

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:

Financial

Reticent

Opulent

Massive

Vindicated

Correct answer:

Opulent

Explanation:

Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.

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