SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #171 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

HISTRIONIC

Possible Answers:

Dormant

Ragged

Contrite

Bright

Dramatic

Correct answer:

Dramatic

Explanation:

"Histrionic" means overly-dramatic.

Example Question #172 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PUERILE

Possible Answers:

Limber

Ceremonial

Silly

Oblivious

Mature

Correct answer:

Silly

Explanation:

"Puerile" is an adjective that means "childishly silly and trivial," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "silly" or "trivial." Since "silly" is one of the possible answer choices and none of the other answer choices mean "silly" or "trivial," "silly" is the best—and correct—answer.

Example Question #401 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

WINSOME

Possible Answers:

Dynamic

Charming

Talkative

Successful

Easy

Correct answer:

Charming

Explanation:

Winsome means attractive, appealing, or charming.

Example Question #402 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

QUERULOUS

Possible Answers:

Quiescent

Angry

Loud

Fretful

Depressed

Correct answer:

Fretful

Explanation:

Someone who is "querulous" complains a lot. So, the best answer choice is "fretful," which means quick to complain. The word "quiescent" means calm and is an antonym of "querulous." The other three words may be characteristics of someone who is querulous, but are not synonyms of "querulous."

Example Question #171 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

HIDEBOUND

Possible Answers:

Prejudiced 

Gregarious

Jaunty 

Portly 

Comely 

Correct answer:

Prejudiced 

Explanation:

“Hidebound” means narrow-minded and prejudiced. For clarification, comely means cute; portly means big or fat; jaunty means cheerful or dashing; gregarious means outgoing and sociable.

Example Question #404 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MALADROIT

Possible Answers:

Clumsy

Evil

Cheerful

Stubborn

Bothersome

Correct answer:

Clumsy

Explanation:

"Maladroit" means ineffective, bungling, or clumsy.

Example Question #405 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SYMPATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Plaintive

Empathetic

Pathetic

Pitiful

Forlorn

Correct answer:

Empathetic

Explanation:

"Sympathetic" and "empathetic" are closely related in meaning, showing understanding or approval toward an idea, action, or person. The other words do not share this meaning but do have similar meanings themselves.

Example Question #173 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

BOLD

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Obvious

Audacious

Mild-mannered

Sublime

Correct answer:

Audacious

Explanation:

"Bold" and "audacious" are synonyms describing an outgoing, courageous personality. The other words do not share this meaning. "Mild-mannered" is an antonym to "bold" and "audacious." The other words are not adjectives used to describe personality traits.

Example Question #407 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CONSCIENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Ravenous

Dutiful

Advantageous

Eternal

Frank

Correct answer:

Dutiful

Explanation:

"Conscientious" means responsible and dutiful. "Eternal" means everlasting. "Advantageous" means beneficial. "Ravenous" means very hungry. "Frank" means curt and direct.

Example Question #408 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ELOQUENT

Possible Answers:

Convivial

Excruciating

Evasive

Partial

Articulate

Correct answer:

Articulate

Explanation:

"Eloquent" means fluent. "Partially" and "wholly" are antonyms, as are "excruciatingly" and "painlessly." "Evasive" and "elusive" are synonyms, and "convivial" means cheerful.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors