SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

JUBILANT

Possible Answers:

Lavish

Joyful

Juvenile

Stalwart

Morose

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

"Jubilant" means joyful.

Example Question #911 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HISTRIONIC

Possible Answers:

Historical

Tedious

Ancient

Dull

Dramatic

Correct answer:

Dramatic

Explanation:

"Histrionic" means extremely dramatic.

Example Question #912 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Incessant

Excessive

Sociable

Erroneous

Jealous

Correct answer:

Jealous

Explanation:

"Envious" means jealous; Erroneous means mistaken; Excessive means too much; Sociable means outgoing; and Incessant means continual.

Example Question #913 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OPTIMISTIC

Possible Answers:

Heartfelt

Nice

Gloomy

Hopeful

Good

Correct answer:

Hopeful

Explanation:

Someone who is "optimistic" looks at things positively or thinks that good things will happen in the future. We need to find a word with a positive meaning. We can rule out the word "gloomy" as it is the only word with a negative meaning. Out of the remaining words, "hopeful" means full of the idea that good things will happen, "heartfelt" means sincere, "good" means right or proper, and "nice" means kind. The last three words can be characteristics of a person who is optimistic, but are not themselves synonyms of the word "optimistic." "Hopeful" is the best choice. 

Example Question #914 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELEGIAC

Possible Answers:

Mournful

Worrisome

Calm

Energetic

Lovely

Correct answer:

Mournful

Explanation:

The best choice is "mournful" as something that is "elegiac" is mournful or expresses sorrow. The remaining answer choices are simply other types of emotions. The only one which might be somewhat related is the word "worrisome" which means causing worry, but "mournful" is closer in meaning to "elegiac" than is "worrisome."

Example Question #915 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Placid

Civilized

Belligerent

Non-confrontational

Peaceable

Correct answer:

Belligerent

Explanation:

"Bellicose" and "belligerent" share a root and are synonymous. Both adjectives refer to demonstrating aggression. The other words are antonyms to "bellicose." 

Example Question #916 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISTRAUGHT

Possible Answers:

Indolent

Infected

Fraught

Intolerant

Infectious

Correct answer:

Fraught

Explanation:

"Distraught" and "fraught" are synonyms describing a frustrated emotional state. The other words do not share this meaning. "Infected" and "infectious" refer to the state of being infected with a disease and the property of being transmissible to others (usually of a disease or emotional state, like laughter) respectively.

Example Question #917 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INFURIATED

Possible Answers:

Humored

Enraged

Aggravated

Pleased

Annoyed

Correct answer:

Enraged

Explanation:

"Infuriated" and "enraged" are synonymous adjectives describing someone who feels severe anger. "Pleased" and "humored" are antonyms. "Aggravated" and "annoyed" are synonymous with each other and may refer to someone who is irritated but not necessarily extremely angry.

Example Question #918 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLUSTERED

Possible Answers:

Discombobulated

Logical

Clearheaded

Alert

Thoughtful

Correct answer:

Discombobulated

Explanation:

"Flustered" and "discombobulated" are synonymous; they refer to someone who is frustrated with a situation. The other words do not come close to being synonyms. In fact, "thoughtful," "logical," "alert," and "clearheaded" are actually all somewhat related to each other. The one word that really stands out is "discombobulated."

Example Question #919 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LEERY

Possible Answers:

Cautious

Magnanimous

Munificent

Affable

Congenial

Correct answer:

Cautious

Explanation:

"Leery" means cautious and wary. "Affable" means friendly or amiable. "Magnanimous" is a synonym for generous, as is "munificent." "Congenial" means personable, hospitable, and genial.

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