SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #931 : Synonyms

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

MERRY

Possible Answers:

Spiritual

Fanatic

Obese

Jolly

Engaged

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

"Merry" is used to describe someone or something that is happy and pleasant. One might write, "His neighbors adored his merry, upbeat attitude."

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Wise

Sullen

Excessive

Jocular

Apathetic

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."

Example Question #932 : Synonyms

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Uninterested

Peaceful

Challenging

Corresponding

Snobbish

Correct answer:

Uninterested

Explanation:

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

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Disastrous 

Charged

Energetic

Substantial

Distant

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

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

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BLITHE

Possible Answers:

Joyful

Hurried

Isolated

Adopted

Candid

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

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

Example Question #933 : Synonyms

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

DESPONDENT

Possible Answers:

Hopeless

Ultimate

Bespectacled

Rigid

Sheer

Correct answer:

Hopeless

Explanation:

"Despondent" means feeling hopeless.  

Example Question #143 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CORDIAL 

Possible Answers:

Proper

Seasonal

Friendly

Stuffy

Courtly

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 #144 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

VORACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Edible

Ravenous

Indignant

Delicious

Explicit

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 #145 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Unenthusiastic

Invested

Scalding

Stagnant

Frigid

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 #146 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Gloomy

Observant

Enthusiastic

Quiet

Curved

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

Keen means showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

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