SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › SSAT Middle Level Verbal

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

HASTILY

Hurriedly

Mostly

Entirely

Longingly

Sloppily

Explanation

"Hasty" means too quick, urgent, rushed, or hurried. "Sloppy" and "careless" and "haphazard" are all synonyms, and "entirely" and "wholly" are synonyms. "Mostly" and "mainly" are also synonyms. "Longing" means yearning for or craving a person, place, or thing.

2

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

DELIBERATELY

Intentionally

Swimmingly

Hurtfully

Monetarily

Riskily

Explanation

A "deliberate: action is an intentional or planned one. If something is going "swimmingly," it is going very well. Something "hurtful" causes hurt or harm, and something "risky" carries the possibility of danger. "Monetarily" describes something related to money.

3

Complete this analogy.

Surge is to plummet as                     .

catch is to release

wood is to flammable

dye is to cloth

nail is to trim

test is to cheat

Explanation

"Surge" is a verb that can mean a large and sudden increase while "plummet" is verb that can mean a large and sudden decrease. So, "surge" and "plummet" are antonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that consists of a pair of words that are antonyms. Because "catch" and "release" are the only pair of antonyms listed as a possible answer choice, "catch is to release" is the correct answer, because just as "surge" is the opposite of "plummet," "catch" is the opposite of "release."

4

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

WOEFUL

Pathetic

Frantic

Sturdy

Unhinged

Repulsive

Explanation

The adjective "woeful" means terribly sad and pitiful, pathetic and tragic. Additionally, "repulsive" means gross, disgusting, not attractive; "frantic" means hurried, stressed; "sturdy" means reliable, strong and firm, unlikely to fall over or break; "unhinged" means disturbed, mentally imbalanced, crazy.

5

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

STRIKING

Astonishing

Unremarkable

Unimportant

Unimpressive

Stalwart

Explanation

"Striking" and "astonishing" are synonyms which can be used to praise someone or something's appearance. The other answer choices do not share this meaning.

6

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

LIVIDLY

Furiously

Adventurously

Quietly

Rapidly

Cautiously

Explanation

To be "livid" is to be furious or enraged. "Quiet" and "noisy" are antonyms, as are "adventurous" and "cautious." "Rapid" means quick or fast.

7

Complete this analogy.

Ineffectual is to successful as innocuous is to                     .

malignant

benign

benevolent

awesome

absent

Explanation

"Ineffectual" means not having the desired effect, unsuccessful. It is therefore an antonym of "successful." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "innocuous." Well, "innocuous" means harmless, not hurtful, not serious. This is opposite in meaning to "malignant" which means deadly, harmful. Additionally, "benign" means innocuous, not harmful; "benevolent" means good-natured, kind; "absent" means not present; "awesome" means deeply impressive, great.

8

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

JEALOUS

Envious

Critical

Wary

Clean

Agitated

Explanation

"Jealous" and "envious" are synonyms; they both refer to the feeling of being upset by the success of someone else. "Critical" means important or serious, and "wary" means cautious or careful. "Clean" and "dirty" are antonyms, as are "agitated" and "calm."

9

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

FRIGID

Chilly

Damp

Moist

Wet

Humid

Explanation

"Frigid" and "chilly" are synonyms adjectives describing the state of being cold. The other answer choices are synonymous with each other, and all refer to the state of being wet, but only "chilly" means the same thing as "frigid." Someone might be "frigid" because their clothes are "damp," but these adjectives are not in and of themselves synonymous.

10

Complete this analogy.

Ineffectual is to successful as innocuous is to                     .

malignant

benign

benevolent

awesome

absent

Explanation

"Ineffectual" means not having the desired effect, unsuccessful. It is therefore an antonym of "successful." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "innocuous." Well, "innocuous" means harmless, not hurtful, not serious. This is opposite in meaning to "malignant" which means deadly, harmful. Additionally, "benign" means innocuous, not harmful; "benevolent" means good-natured, kind; "absent" means not present; "awesome" means deeply impressive, great.

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