SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1431 : Synonyms

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

MONOLITHIC

Possible Answers:

Natural

Bossy

Diminutive

Colossal

Extant

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

“Monolithic” is an adjective that can mean extremely large, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like large. That means that “diminutive” cannot be the correct answer, because “diminutive” means very small when used as an adjective, making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of “monolithic.” “Colossal,” however, is an adjective that means very big, and because “colossal” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “monolithic,” “colossal” is the correct answer.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PITHY

Possible Answers:

Agile

Scathing

Concise

Burnt

Pathetic

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Pithy" means brief and full of meaning.

Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ANALOGOUS

Possible Answers:

Foreign

Computerized

Tardy

Filthy

Comparable

Correct answer:

Comparable

Explanation:

"Analogous" means that two things are similar in nature. "Comparable," the correct answer, also means able to be compared and similar in some respect. The other answers do not have similar definitions: "foreign" means from a different country; "computerized" means done by a computer; "filthy" means dirty; and "tardy" means late.

Example Question #1432 : Synonyms

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

VIRTUAL

Possible Answers:

Electronic

Simulated

Contemporary

Ramshackle

Chaste

Correct answer:

Simulated

Explanation:

"Virtual" means not existing physically, but rather simulated by a computer. "Simulated" is therefore the correct answer. "Electronic," which meanas powered by electricity, may seem like a potentially correct answer, but it is not as close in meaning to "virtual" as "simulated" is. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "virtual": "chaste" means innocent or pure, "ramshackle" means run-down or ready to collapse, and "contemporary" means current or happening in recent times.

Example Question #1433 : Synonyms

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

CASUAL

Possible Answers:

Formal

Fruitful

Relaxed

Timid

Collaborative

Correct answer:

Relaxed

Explanation:

"Casual" means relaxed or not formal, so "informal," an adjective that also means not formal, is the correct answer. "Formal" is an antonym of "casual"; it means adhering to a strict set of rules or conventions. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to that of "casual": "timid" means afraid or easily frightened; "fruitful" means productive; "collaborative" means cooperative or involving multiple people working together to achieve a goal.

Example Question #108 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Relevant

Crusty 

Discerning 

Touchy 

Jealous

Correct answer:

Relevant

Explanation:

“Germane” means relevant, so "relevant" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “germane”. “Touchy” means easily upset. “Discerning” means perceptive. “Jealous” means envious. “Crusty” means having a crisp or hard outer layer or covering.

Example Question #109 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Pertinent

Unimportant

Important

Considerable

Irrelevant

Correct answer:

Pertinent

Explanation:

"Germane" is an adjective that means relevant to the topic of discussion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like relevant. While both "important" and "pertinent" may look like potentially correct answer choices, "important" does not mean relevant, while "pertinent" means relevant. Because "pertinent" is the closest synonym of "germane" amongst the listed answer choices, it is the correct answer.

Example Question #110 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PROFANE

Possible Answers:

Difficult

Indecent

Rebellious

Unwieldy

Furious

Correct answer:

Indecent

Explanation:

"Profane" means secular, disrespectful, or "indecent."

Example Question #111 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

LEWD

Possible Answers:

Limber

Shining

Particular

Vulgar

Untied

Correct answer:

Vulgar

Explanation:

"Lewd" means crude, offensive, or "vulgar."

Example Question #112 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ABERRANT

Possible Answers:

Playful

Ill

Deviant

Inflected

Clamorous

Correct answer:

Deviant

Explanation:

"Aberrant" means departing from the standard, or deviant.

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