All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1111 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CALLOUS
Annoyed
Elegant
Heartless
Compassionate
Considerable
Heartless
While both "heartless" and "annoyed" may seem like potential synonyms for "callous," "callous" is an adjective meaning "showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others," so "heartless" is the best answer, because its meaning is closer to "callous" than that of "annoyed" is.
Example Question #1069 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRUDENT
Careful
Diligent
Fleeting
Slack
Obtuse
Careful
"Prudent" means careful or cautious.
Example Question #1071 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSOLENT
Rude
Lonely
Crude
Disgusting
Ugly
Rude
"Insolent" means exhibiting disrespectful behavior or speech. "Rude" means showing a lack of politeness. Given that politeness is a sign of respect, "insolent" and "rude" are very close in meaning. They are therefore synonyms.
Example Question #1072 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUPERCILIOUS
Suspicious
Serious
Agitated
Scornful
Doubtful
Scornful
"Supercilious" means looking down on others, or haughty. To be "scornful" means seeing others as being of less value than oneself. These two words are very similar in meaning and therefore synonyms. The other answer choices are unrelated.
Example Question #1073 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGAL
Disciplined
Coincidental
Imprudent
Foreseen
Unruly
Imprudent
"Prodigal" means spending money in a carefree and reckless way. Thus, "imprudent" (which means not prudent or not careful or wise with one's resources) is the best synonym. (e.g. "The prodigal daughter bought whatever her heart desired, knowing that her relatives would continue to fund her spending habits.")
Example Question #1074 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
VILLIANOUS
Submissive
Wicked
Portly
Benevolent
Toxic
Wicked
"Villianous" means evil or "wicked." The suffix "-ous" means similar to or like, so you can infer that "villainous" means like a villain. "Benevolent" means kind and generous. "Submissive" means obedient or willing to listen and follow the orders of other people. "Toxic" means contaminated and poisonous. "Portly" means stout or overweight.
Example Question #1075 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONTEMPTIBLE
Filthy
Polite
Hateful
Noteworthy
Euphoric
Hateful
"Contemptible" means "hateful" or despicable. "Filthy" means dirty or disgusting. "Polite" means well-mannered and well-behaved. "Euphoric" means extremely happy and joyful. "Noteworthy" means important and signficant.
Example Question #1076 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DOGGED
Pious
Enthusiastic
Skeptical
Stubborn
Illiterate
Stubborn
"Dogged" means "stubborn" and unyielding in one's opinion. "Enthusiastic" means lively and excited about something. "Illiterate" means unable to read or write. "Pious" means very religious. "Skeptical" means doubtful or not easily convinced that something is true.
Example Question #1077 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DISCURSIVE
Patterned
Exhaustive
Rambling
Modest
Harmful
Rambling
“Discursive” means rambling or lacking order, so "rambling" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “discursive”. “Harmful” means damaging. “Exhaustive” means thorough. “Patterned” means decorated with a recurring design. “Modest” means unpretentious or humble.
Example Question #1078 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PROFICIENT
Capable
Scrutinized
Vague
Inauspicious
Wealthy
Capable
"Proficient" means having the ability to do something. The correct answer "capable" also means skilled or being able to do something. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "inauspicious" means unlucky or unfavorable; "vague" means unclear; "wealthy" means having lots of money; and "scrutinized" means closely watched.
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
