SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Corresponding

Uninterested

Snobbish

Peaceful

Challenging

Correct answer:

Uninterested

Explanation:

"Apathetic" means indifferent, emotionless, or "uninterested."

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Distant

Substantial

Energetic

Charged

Disastrous 

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

"Aloof" means remote in manner, or "distant."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

BLITHE

Possible Answers:

Hurried

Isolated

Adopted

Candid

Joyful

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

"Blithe" means joyful, so the correct answer is "joyful."

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DESPONDENT

Possible Answers:

Ultimate

Bespectacled

Rigid

Hopeless

Sheer

Correct answer:

Hopeless

Explanation:

"Despondent" means feeling hopeless.  

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

CORDIAL 

Possible Answers:

Courtly

Stuffy

Seasonal

Friendly

Proper

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

"Cordial" means warm and open. (Example: "The hostess was very cordial towards her guests, offering them tea and cookies.") The word closest in meaning to "cordial" is therefore "friendly," the best answer choice.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

VORACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Edible

Explicit

Indignant

Ravenous

Delicious

Correct answer:

Ravenous

Explanation:

"Voracious" is an adjective that means wanting or devouring great quantities of something, often food. So, we're looking for an adjective that has to do with food and specifically means extremely hungry. Three of the listed answer choices have to do with food: "edible" means able to be eaten, so it's not a synonym of "voracious." "Delicious" means pleasant to the taste, so it is also not a synonym of "voracious." "Ravenous," which means extremely hungry, is a synonym of "voracious," so it is the best answer choice.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Frigid

Stagnant

Unenthusiastic

Scalding

Invested

Correct answer:

Unenthusiastic

Explanation:

You may have seen the word tepid paired with the water in the past and assumed that it meant frigid (cold), stagnant (standing still), or Scalding (extremely hot), but the word actually means lukewarm or unenthusiastic.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Enthusiastic

Curved

Quiet

Gloomy

Observant

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

Keen means showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

SKEPTICAL

Possible Answers:

Quirky

Ready

Fetid

Agreeable

Doubting

Correct answer:

Doubting

Explanation:

Skeptical means having doubt.  

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

INFURIATED

Possible Answers:

Hoodwinked

Enraged

Excluded

Splattered

Overwhelmed

Correct answer:

Enraged

Explanation:

Infuriated means made extremely angry, or enraged.

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