Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery

Help Questions

SSAT Elementary Level Verbal › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

DELICATE

Breakable

Sturdy

Agile

Risky

Comforting

Explanation

Something that is “delicate” is easily broken and fragile. To provide further help, “sturdy" means not easily broken or tipped over, “comforting” means providing comfort and making you feel better, "agile" means quick-moving and athletic, and "risky" means involving risk-taking and therefore dangerous and uncertain.

2

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

HUGE

Enormous

Strong

Potent

Energetic

Miniature

Explanation

The words "huge" and "enormous" are synonyms_._ They describe something large. The other words do not share this meaning. "Miniature" is an antonym to "huge."

3

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

MASKED

Covered

Calm

Quick

Challenging

Open

Explanation

When something is "masked" it means that thing is concealed or covered. The root word, "mask," means something that covers the face, while the suffix "-ed" indicates an adjective.

4

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

THROB

Ache

Vibrate

Whistle

Lift

Explanation

"Throb" means to ache in a pulsing manner, or pound. You could say you have a "throbbing headache." To "vibrate" is to shake with tiny, quick motions. To "whistle" is to make a tuneful sound with one's lips. To lift is to elevate an object.

5

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

SOLID

Firm

Dirty

Filthy

Invisible

Clear

Explanation

The words "solid" and "firm" are synonymous. The incorrect answer choices also contain some words that are synonymous with each other. "Dirty" and "filthy" mean the same thing; the words "clear" and "invisible" are also very closely related in meaning. Identifying this kind of relationship between answer choices can help eliminate the incorrect answers.

6

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

ELEGANT

Beautiful

Horrible

Distasteful

Morbid

Average

Explanation

"Elegant" means pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance. "Beautiful," which means pleasing the senses or mind, is the best synonym of "elegant."

Incorrect Answers:

"Horrible" means very unpleasant

"Distasteful" also means unpleasant, and is a synonym of "horrible."

"Morbid" involves a fascination with death.

"Average" means the usual standard.

7

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

HOARSE

Raspy

Smooth

Artistic

Mountainous

Explanation

Don't get this word confused with "horse," the animal! "Hoarse" means raspy or rough-sounding, especially when describing someone's voice. You've probably had a hoarse voice after getting a sore throat. "Smooth" means even or free of bumps; "artistic" means talented at art or creative activities, and "mountainous" refers to areas of land and means containing mountains.

8

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

PUTRID

Rancid

Hateful

Flavorful

Spicy

Explanation

The answer is "rancid." "Rancid" and "putrid" both mean decayed and usually having a very bad or disgusting smell. For example, you might say, "The milk smelled rancid after being left out all week."

9

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

BRITTLE

Fragile

Nautical

Calm

Normal

Sturdy

Explanation

Something that is "brittle" is not strong and easily broken. So, "fragile," a word that means easily broken, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "brittle": "sturdy" means strong or difficult to break and is an opposite, or antonym, of "brittle"; "normal" means standard or ordinary; "calm" means peaceful or unworried; and "nautical" means having to do with the sea or the ocean.

10

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

ELEGANT

Fancy

Kind

Appropriate

Inappropriate

Passionate

Explanation

The words "elegant" and "fancy" are synonymous. They describe something that is ornate or decorated in a sophisticated way. The other words do not share this meaning. "Appropriate" and "inapropriate" are antonyms to each other, and unrelated to the concept of elegance. "Kind" and "passionate" are both positive personality descriptions that do not have anything to do with sophistication.

Page 1 of 6
Return to subject