SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #771 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KITSCHY

Possible Answers:

Chipper

Adorable

Gaudy

Unconventional

Old-fashioned

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

"Kitschy" and "gaudy" are both words to describe something that is cheap and tacky.

Example Question #772 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RADIANT

Possible Answers:

Poisonous

Paltry

Scientific

Enthused

Beaming

Correct answer:

Beaming

Explanation:

"Radiant" means luminous, or "beaming."

Example Question #773 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OPULENT

Possible Answers:

Benevolent

Opaque

Sumptuous

Putrid

Complex

Correct answer:

Sumptuous

Explanation:

"Opulent" is an adjective that means lavish, and since "sumptuous" means expensive-looking, it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "opulent," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #774 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PULCHRITUDE

Possible Answers:

Removal

Conception

Nightmare

Exit

Beauty

Correct answer:

Beauty

Explanation:

"Pulchritude" means beauty, so "beauty" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "pulchritude": "exit" means departure; "conception" means start; "nightmare" means bad dream; and "removal" means elimination.

Example Question #775 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPERVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Insignificant

Unaffected

Stained

Independent

Flawless

Correct answer:

Unaffected

Explanation:

"Impervious" means not letting things pass through, or unaffected by something. One might write, "While everyone else got sick, Michael seemed impervious to germs."

Example Question #776 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEBULOUS

Possible Answers:

Celebrated 

Morose 

Indistinct 

Nefarious 

Concrete 

Correct answer:

Indistinct 

Explanation:

“Nebulous” means murky or indistinct. For clarification, "morose" means very sad; "nefarious" means wicked or infamous.

Example Question #777 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRIDENT

Possible Answers:

Written

Immature

Harsh

Ambiguous

Retroactive

Correct answer:

Harsh

Explanation:

"Strident" means loud or harsh.

Example Question #778 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Munificent

Bifocal 

Light 

Audible 

Wise 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

“Diaphanous” means light, and is most commonly used to describe fabric or material. For clarification, "audible" means able to be heard; "bifocal" means having two focal lengths,and refers to a type of glasses; "munificent" means very generous.

Example Question #779 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Unhealthy

Business-like

Portly

Commandeering

Correct answer:

Portly

Explanation:

Corpulent literally means fat, or having a large body. The only one of the answer choices that means fat is "portly."

You may have seen the root "corp" and thought of words like corporation or corporal, but the root of each of those words actually has to do with the Latin word "corpus," which literally means body.

Example Question #780 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

PELLUCID

Possible Answers:

Voluntary

Awful

Extravagant

Clear

Crimson

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

"Pellucid" means clear or transparent. The root word "lucere" means to shine in Latin. So, the best answer choice is "clear."

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