All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.
KEEN
Contentious
Indecisive
Confused
Eager
Despicable
Eager
"Keen" means to be eager or excited for something. "Confused" means incapable of thinking straight or clearly. "Despicable" means being hated. "Contentious" means argumentative or quarrelsome. "Indecisive" means incapable of deciding issues in a timely manner.
Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ACRID
Unusual
Bitter
Chemical
Happy
Acidic
Bitter
"Acrid" means biting or bitter. Therefore, "bitter" is the best synonym.
Example Question #881 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
WOEFUL
Morose
Courageous
Shabby
Destitute
Stalwart
Morose
"Woeful" means full of woe, or very sad, so "morose," an adjective that means miserable, glum, or irritable, is the correct answer. "Courageous" means brave. "Stalwart" means strong and reliable. "Destitute" means poor and impoverished. "Shabby" means run-down or in a very bad condition.
Example Question #882 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
POIGNANT
Friendly
Developed
Listless
Moving
Green
Moving
“Poignant” means emotionally painful. It can also mean to the point or piercing. So, "moving," which can mean evoking emotion, is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “poignant”. “Developed” means matured or progressed. “Green” is the color of grass. “Friendly” means kind or welcoming. “Listless” means lacking energy.
Example Question #883 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GIDDY
Flighty
Young
Destroyed
Accelerating
Stable
Flighty
"Giddy" means excitable or frivolous. Similarly, the correct answer "flighty" means easily excited or lacking stability. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "accelerating" means speeding up; "young" means juvenile; "stable" means not often changing; and "destroyed" means spoiled, wrecked, or defeated.
Example Question #884 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLACID
Candid
Placated
Dull
Gregarious
Tranquil
Tranquil
"Placid" is an adjective that means not easily perturbed or excited when referring to a sentient living thing; it can also mean peaceful and calm, and is often used this way to describe bodies of water. While "dull" might seem like a good potential synonym for "placid," "dull" actually means boring or not sharp, so it doesn't mean the same thing that "placid" does. "Tranquil," however, means calm, and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "placid," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #885 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NONPLUSSED
Untrustworthy
Controlled
Surprised
Apathetic
Genial
Surprised
"Nonplussed" means surprised and bewildered, so "surprised" is the correct answer.
Example Question #886 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGHAST
Horrified
Jubilant
Scornful
Cerebral
Ghostly
Horrified
If you are “aghast," you are horrified, so "horrified" is the correct answer. For clarification, "cerebral" means intelligent or brainy; "jubilant" means very happy; "scornful" means negative and insulting; and "ghostly" means spectral or like a phantom.
Example Question #881 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MERRY
Spiritual
Jolly
Obese
Fanatic
Engaged
Jolly
"Merry" is used to describe someone or something that is happy and pleasant. One might write, "His neighbors adored his merry, upbeat attitude."
Example Question #888 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MOROSE
Sullen
Wise
Excessive
Jocular
Apathetic
Sullen
"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
