SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2495 : Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Zesty

Commonplace

Medicinal

Creative

Cowardly

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

Example Question #2494 : Synonyms

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

STERLING

Possible Answers:

Excellent

Scented

Understood

Creamy

Melancholy

Correct answer:

Excellent

Explanation:

"Sterling" means excellent or valuable.

Example Question #2495 : Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Subservient

Quick

Dull

Retracted

Courageous 

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Insipid" means dull or bland.

Example Question #2351 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXECRABLE

Possible Answers:

Supportive

Detestable

Needless

Clipped

Released

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

"Execrable" means detestable or very bad.

Example Question #2352 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DERIVATIVE

Possible Answers:

Imaginative

Creative

Unoriginal 

Inspired

Imaginative

Stirred 

Stirred 

Inspired

Correct answer:

Unoriginal 

Explanation:

“Derivative” means unoriginal or derived from an earlier idea. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all antonyms of derivative.

Example Question #2353 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRESTIGIOUS

Possible Answers:

Puzzling

Arcane

Abstruse

Perplexing

Acclaimed

Correct answer:

Acclaimed

Explanation:

"Prestigious" and "acclaimed" are closest in meaning. These synonyms refer to people or institutions held in high regard or esteemed. The other words describe an object's quality of being confounding or confusing.

Example Question #2501 : Synonyms

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

ABUNDANT

Possible Answers:

Abusive

Scarce

Limited

Exclusive

Bountiful

Correct answer:

Bountiful

Explanation:

"Abundant" and "bountiful" are synonyms describing a plentiful supply or amount of something. The other words do not share this meaning, though they some may appear similar in spelling.

Example Question #2502 : Synonyms

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

PLETHORA

Possible Answers:

Miniature

Little

Small

Myriad

Minute

Correct answer:

Myriad

Explanation:

Although the words "plethora" and "myriad" are quite advanced vocabulary, notice that the meanings of the other answer choices are all so closely related that one can solve the problem through process of elimination. "Plethora" and "myriad" both refer to a huge, often excessive amount of something.

Example Question #2503 : Synonyms

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

AUSPICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Cranky

Blurry

Promising

Punctual

Wry

Correct answer:

Promising

Explanation:

Something "auspicious" is promising or to one's advantage. "Wry" means dry, ironic, and sarcastic. "Punctual" means prompt or timely. "Blurry" and "unclear" are synonyms, as are "cranky" and "irritable."

Example Question #2504 : Synonyms

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

MYRIAD

Possible Answers:

Innumerable

Few

Countable

Couple

Several

Correct answer:

Innumerable

Explanation:

"Myriad" and "innumerable" are synonyms referring to a quantity that is too large to count. The other answer choices all share a similar meaning, referring to quantities that can be counted. Consider that the word "few" is really an antonym of the word "myriad."

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