SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Unhealthy

Portly

Commandeering

Business-like

Correct answer:

Portly

Explanation:

Corpulent literally means fat, or having a large body. The only one of the answer choices that means fat is "portly."

You may have seen the root "corp" and thought of words like corporation or corporal, but the root of each of those words actually has to do with the Latin word "corpus," which literally means body.

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PELLUCID

Possible Answers:

Crimson

Clear

Voluntary

Extravagant

Awful

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

"Pellucid" means clear or transparent. The root word "lucere" means to shine in Latin. So, the best answer choice is "clear."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OPAQUE

Possible Answers:

Lucid

Limpid

Clear

Nontransparent

Cloudy

Correct answer:

Nontransparent

Explanation:

"Opaque" is an adjective meaning "not able to be seen through; not transparent," or when referring to language, "hard or impossible to understand; unfathomable." "Cloudy" and "not transparent" may each seem like a potentially correct answer. While something that is cloudy may also be opaque, "nontransparent" is the correct answer because its meaning is the closest of the potential answer choices to that of "opaque."

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INCANDESCENT

Possible Answers:

Partial

Burdensome

Intelligent

Burning

Cozy

Correct answer:

Burning

Explanation:

Incandescent means emitting light because of heat, or burning.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COMMODIOUS

Possible Answers:

Spacious

Toilet

Generous

Friendly

Nasty

Correct answer:

Spacious

Explanation:

A place that is commodious is open, roomy, or spacious.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Funny

Cold

Sheer

Frightening

Deadly

Correct answer:

Sheer

Explanation:

"Diaphanous" is a word used to describe something that is filmy, transparent, light, or airy; so, the synonym is "sheer," in the sense of a cloth that is sheer, meaning you can see through it.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DERELICT

Possible Answers:

Lost the way 

Broken down 

Running late 

On the up 

Under budget 

Correct answer:

Broken down 

Explanation:

“Derelict” is an adjective used to describe something that is deserted, neglected or broken down. Synonyms include rundown, dilapidated, ruined, abandoned etc.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Escalating

Dark

Honorable

Mindful

Lukewarm

Correct answer:

Lukewarm

Explanation:

Tepid means lukewarm.  

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ARID

Possible Answers:

Burly 

Marked

Clandestine

Dry

Tentative

Correct answer:

Dry

Explanation:

Arid means dry.  

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ARID

Possible Answers:

Malleable

Shocking

Weak

Dry

Commendable

Correct answer:

Dry

Explanation:

Arid means extremely dry.

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