SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #881 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Indecisive

Eager

Contentious

Despicable

Confused

Correct answer:

Eager

Explanation:

"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 #1677 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ACRID

Possible Answers:

Chemical 

Unusual 

Happy

Acidic

Bitter

Correct answer:

Bitter

Explanation:

"Acrid" means biting or bitter. Therefore, "bitter" is the best synonym. 

Example Question #882 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WOEFUL

Possible Answers:

Morose

Courageous

Destitute

Stalwart

Shabby

Correct answer:

Morose

Explanation:

"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 #883 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POIGNANT

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Moving

Listless

Developed

Green

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

“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 #884 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GIDDY

Possible Answers:

Destroyed

Accelerating

Young

Flighty

Stable

Correct answer:

Flighty

Explanation:

"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 spoiledwrecked, or defeated.

Example Question #885 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLACID

Possible Answers:

Placated

Dull

Gregarious

Tranquil

Candid

Correct answer:

Tranquil

Explanation:

"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 #886 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NONPLUSSED

Possible Answers:

Untrustworthy

Surprised

Controlled

Genial

Apathetic

Correct answer:

Surprised

Explanation:

"Nonplussed" means surprised and bewildered, so "surprised" is the correct answer.

Example Question #887 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Ghostly

Cerebral 

Horrified 

Jubilant 

Scornful

Correct answer:

Horrified 

Explanation:

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 #888 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MERRY

Possible Answers:

Fanatic

Obese

Jolly

Spiritual

Engaged

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

"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 #889 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Jocular

Wise

Apathetic

Sullen

Excessive

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors