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 #3 : Synonyms

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

VIVACIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Lethargic

Generous

Miserly

Critical

Energetic 

Correct answer:

Energetic 

Explanation:

To be “vivacious” means to feel energetic. For clarification, "lethargic" means very lazy and exhausted; "miserly" is an antonym of generous.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms

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

INIMICAL.

Possible Answers:

Winsome

Comely 

Bountiful

Pulchritudinous 

Adverse

Correct answer:

Adverse

Explanation:

Something that is “inimical” is unfavorable or adverse. For clarification pulchritudinous means beautiful and comely means cute; winsome means charming and bountiful means plentiful.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms

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

BRUMAL.

Possible Answers:

Incendiary

Provocative

Wintry

Meaningful

Colloquial

Correct answer:

Wintry

Explanation:

“Brumal” is a synonym for cold and wintry conditions. For clarification incendiary and provocative are synonyms that both mean likely to provoke an adverse reaction; colloquial refers to a type of speaking distinct to a certain people or area.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms

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

BATTERY. 

Possible Answers:

Power

Assault

Create 

Defense 

Energy 

Correct answer:

Assault

Explanation:

“Battery” describes the unlawful use of force against somebody. The best available synonym would therefore be “assault.”

Example Question #7 : Synonyms

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

SYNOPSIS.

Possible Answers:

Disease 

Forensic 

Deleterious

Summary 

Umbrage 

Correct answer:

Summary 

Explanation:

A “synopsis” is a summary of events and is usually used as in “a synopsis of the movie . . .” For clarification, "deleterious" means very harmful; "umbrage" means to take offense; forensic is the science of crime-solving.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms

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

TEDIOUS. 

Possible Answers:

Dull

Provocative

Careful

Understanding

Elusive 

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

Tedious means dull or boring. For clarification provocative means challenging and stimulating; elusive means hard to track down.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms

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

SURFEIT.

Possible Answers:

Shortage 

Lack 

Deficiency

Excess

Deviancy

Correct answer:

Excess

Explanation:

Having a “surfeit” of something means you have an excess of it. For clarification, "lack," "deficiency," and "shortage" are all synonyms that mean to not have enough of something making them antonyms of “surfeit” and excess; "deviancy" refers to immoral behavior.

Example Question #31 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

TRUCULENT.

Possible Answers:

Indistinct

Portentous 

Defiant 

Miserable 

Nonsensical 

Correct answer:

Defiant 

Explanation:

To be “truculent” means to be aggressively defiant. For clarification, "nonsensical" means meaningless or ridiculous; "portentous" means self-important; "indistinct" means unclear.

Example Question #32 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MYRIAD.

Possible Answers:

Mysterious 

Lackadaisical

Infrequent

Enigmatic 

Countless

Correct answer:

Countless

Explanation:

“Myriad” means very diverse and too numerous to be counted. For clarification, "lackadaisical" means careless and lazy; mysterious and enigmatic are synonyms.

Example Question #33 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BUFFET.

Possible Answers:

Portray 

Strike 

Consume 

Nourish 

Allay 

Correct answer:

Strike 

Explanation:

A “buffet” is a heavy or repeated blow with the fist or hand. This is not to be confused with the adapted French word “buffet” which is a self-service meal. The answer choices about consumption and nourishment are thrown in there to try and trick you. The correct answer is “strike.” For clarification, "allay" means to calm or alleviate.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors