SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1041 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Rude

Vague

Blotted

Focused

Impersonal

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

“Churlish” means rude, so "rude" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “churlish”. “Impersonal” means detached. “Blotted” means marked or stained. “Vague” means not clear. “Focused” means fixated or absorbed.

Example Question #1045 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RENOWNED

Possible Answers:

Redundant

Celebrated

Frank

Dense

Oppositional

Correct answer:

Celebrated

Explanation:

"Renowned" means famous and admired. Similarly, the correct answer "celebrated" means well-known and praised. None of the other choices have similar meanings: "redundant" means unnecessarily repetitive; "oppositional" means working against someone or something; "frank" means direct and honest; and "dense" means thick.

Example Question #1046 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SHREWD

Possible Answers:

Competitive

Miserly

Sharp-witted

Peaked

Vivacious

Correct answer:

Sharp-witted

Explanation:

"Shrewd" means astute or clever. The correct answer "sharp-witted" similarly means smart, quick, and clever. The other answer choices do not have similar definitions: "peaked" means pale and sickly; "vivacious" means full of life; miserly means stingy and mean; and competitive means having a strong desire to be the best at everything.

Example Question #1047 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUERULOUS

Possible Answers:

Petulant

Charming

Rambunctious

Mild

Inquisitive

Correct answer:

Petulant

Explanation:

"Querulous" means complaining, whining, or petulant, so "petulant," which means irritable or grouchy, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "querulous": "charming" means delightful; "inquisitive" means curious; "mild" means gentle; and "rambunctious" means rowdy.

Example Question #1048 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESOLUTE

Possible Answers:

Wavering

Troublesome

Particular

Adamant

Beginning

Correct answer:

Adamant

Explanation:

"Resolute" means unshakable or stubborn, and the correct answer "adamant" means insistent and determined. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "beginning" means new, "wavering" means unsure, "troublesome" means difficult, and "particular" means choosy.

Example Question #1042 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRINGENT

Possible Answers:

Slender

Strict

Morose

Yielding

Tangible

Correct answer:

Strict

Explanation:

"Stringent" means severe, tight and rigid, and the correct answer "strict" means inflexibly maintained or exact and precise. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "slender" means thin, "morose" means gloomy, "yielding" means flexible, and "tangiblemeans able to be felt.

Example Question #1043 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUIXOTIC

Possible Answers:

Idealistic

Verbose

Literary

Artificial

Melancholy

Correct answer:

Idealistic

Explanation:

"Quixotic" means impractically hopeful or romantic, and "idealistic" means optimistic, perhaps to the point of being impractical. "Idealistic" is therefore the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "quixotic": "melancholy" means sad, "literary" means relating to literature, "artificial" means not derived from naturenot real, or man-made, and "verbose" means wordy.

Example Question #1051 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IGNOBLE

Possible Answers:

Complete

Assertive

Dishonorable

Soft

Flighty

Correct answer:

Dishonorable

Explanation:

"Ignoble" means dishonorable or of low character, so "dishonorable" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "ignoble": “assertive” means confident; “soft” means not hard; “complete,” when used as an adjective, means whole; and “flighty” means erratic or fickle.

Example Question #1052 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEMURE

Possible Answers:

Rich

Surprising

Energetic

Free

Shy

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Demure" means reserved or shy, so "shy" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "demure": “free” means enjoying liberty;“surprising” means unexpected; “energetic” means active or full of vigor; and "rich” means wealthy.

Example Question #1053 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EVENHANDED

Possible Answers:

Unfair

Unbiased

Biased

Partial

Truthful

Correct answer:

Unbiased

Explanation:

While "unfair" and "unbiased" may look like similar answer choices, they are actually antonyms. Since "evenhanded" means impartial when judging, "unbiased" is its closest synonym amongst the answer choices, as it means fair—specifically, showing no preferences or inclinations towards or against something. So, the correct answer is "unbiased."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors