All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
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
Typical
Big
Natural
Astonishing
Interesting
Astonishing
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
Reflective
Pungent
Prodigious
Morose
Garrulous
Prodigious
"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
Unoriginal
Unseemly
Shallow
Determined
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
intriguing
parallel
insipid
curious
detrimental
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
Chaotic
Rhetorical
Diction
Legendary
Commonplace
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
Wet
Flawless
Risky
Normal
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
Unbecoming
Agressive
Boring
Judgmental
Competitive
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
Rundown
Hairless
Folded
Confusing
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
Derisive
Impractical
Enormous
Insightful
Overused
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
Financial
Reticent
Opulent
Massive
Vindicated
Opulent
Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.
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