SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #431 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Pompous

Assuming 

Skillful 

Daft

Useless 

Correct answer:

Skillful 

Explanation:

Someone who is “deft” is quick and skillful. For clarification, "pompous" means arrogant and self-important, and "daft" means silly or foolish.

Example Question #432 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POMPOUS

Possible Answers:

Arrogant 

Timid 

Quiet 

Whimsical 

Meek 

Correct answer:

Arrogant 

Explanation:

Someone who is “pompous” is arrogant and self-important. For clarification, "meek" means mild-mannered and cowardly, "timid" means shy, and "whimsical" means quirky or silly.

Example Question #433 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Apathetic 

Unkind 

Unworthy 

Underwhelming 

Passionate 

Correct answer:

Passionate 

Explanation:

To be "zealous" about something means to be passionate. For clarification, apathetic means not caring.

Example Question #434 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Hasty 

Slapdash 

Careless 

Thrifty 

Casual 

Correct answer:

Thrifty 

Explanation:

"Frugal" means to be careful with money, to be practical. As such it is closest in meaning to "thrifty," which means economical with money. For clarification, the other four answer choices are loosely synonyms of one another and careless is a good antonym of frugal.

Example Question #435 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Just 

Giant 

Tiny 

Gaunt 

Jolly

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

Someone who is "jovial" is friendly and jolly. For clarification, something that is "just" is fair; gaunt means skeletal and unhealthily skinny.

Example Question #436 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOCULAR

Possible Answers:

Keen 

Humorous 

Unfair 

Mitigate 

Susceptible

Correct answer:

Humorous 

Explanation:

To be "jocular" means to be humorous. For clarification, "mitigate" means lessen, alleviate; "keen" means eager; "susceptible" means vulnerable.

Example Question #437 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRAVE

Possible Answers:

Deplorable 

Insignificant 

Preposterous

Absurd 

Serious 

Correct answer:

Serious 

Explanation:

A situation that is "grave" is serious and somber. For clarification, "deplorable" means deserving of hatred; "absurd" and "preposterous" are synonyms that both mean ridiculous.

Example Question #438 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NAÏVE

Possible Answers:

Innocent 

Lofty 

Experienced

Jocular 

Mundane 

Correct answer:

Innocent 

Explanation:

If you are "naïve" you are innocent and gullible. Naïve people are easily lied to and manipulated. For clarification, "lofty" means very high or proud; "mundane" means ordinary or boring; "jocular" means humorous.

Example Question #439 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Shy 

Passionate 

Outgoing 

Nostalgic

Disrespectful

Correct answer:

Outgoing 

Explanation:

Someone who is "gregarious" is very social and outgoing. For clarification, "nostalgia" is a fond remembrance of the past.

Example Question #163 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ALTRUISTIC

Possible Answers:

Mousy 

Charitable

Tenuous 

Decadent 

Haughty 

Correct answer:

Charitable

Explanation:

Someone who is "altruistic" is very charitable and inclined towards generosity. For clarification, "mousy" means dull or timid; "tenuous" means uncertain; "haughty" means arrogant; "decadent" means corrupt and luxurious.

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