SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2481 : Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Unoriginal

Notorious 

Determined 

Unseemly 

Shallow

Correct answer:

Unoriginal

Explanation:

“Banal” means unoriginal and boring, so "unoriginal" is the correct answer. For clarification, "unseemly" means unpleasant or undesirable; "determined" means motivated; "shallow" describes someone who is not thinking or feeling deeply; and "notorious" means infamous.

Example Question #2482 : Synonyms

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

VAPID

Possible Answers:

intriguing

curious

insipid

parallel

detrimental

Correct answer:

insipid

Explanation:

“Vapid” is an adjective that means “offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; empty” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “not stimulating or challenging.” That means that “intriguing” cannot be the correct answer, because “intriguing” means “arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “vapid.” “Insipid,” however, is an adjective that means either “lacking flavor” or “lacking vigor or interest,” and because “insipid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vapid,” “insipid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2483 : Synonyms

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

PROSAIC

Possible Answers:

Commonplace 

Legendary

Chaotic

Diction 

Rhetorical

Correct answer:

Commonplace 

Explanation:

“Prosaic” describes something ordinary or commonplace. You might have thought the correct answer is “rhetorical” because of the relationship between “prose” and “rhetoric,” but “prosaic” is unrelated to “prose.” For clarification, "rhetorical" means relating to the skill of persuasive language, and "diction" means spoken clarity or choice of words.

Example Question #2484 : Synonyms

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

IMPECCABLE

Possible Answers:

Flawless

Normal

Risky

Durable

Wet

Correct answer:

Flawless

Explanation:

"Impeccable" means faultless or flawless.

Example Question #2491 : Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Agressive

Judgmental

Unbecoming

Boring

Competitive

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Insipid" means lacking flavor or uninteresting. "Boring" means lacking the quality of being interesting. Both "boring" and "insipid" mean mundane or banal. Thus, these two words are synonyms.

Example Question #2492 : Synonyms

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Folded

Rundown

Hairless

Sturdy

Confusing

Correct answer:

Rundown

Explanation:

Something that is "dilapidated" is worn out, rickety, and rundown.

Example Question #2493 : Synonyms

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

CLICHÉD

Possible Answers:

Derisive

Impractical

Insightful

Enormous

Overused

Correct answer:

Overused

Explanation:

Clichéd means overused.

Example Question #2494 : Synonyms

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

LUXURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Vindicated

Massive

Opulent

Financial

Reticent

Correct answer:

Opulent

Explanation:

Luxurious means extremely elegant and lavish, or opulent.

Example Question #2495 : Synonyms

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

BANAL

Possible Answers:

Creative

Medicinal

Commonplace

Cowardly

Zesty

Correct answer:

Commonplace

Explanation:

"Banal" means overused or "commonplace."

Example Question #2496 : Synonyms

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

STERLING

Possible Answers:

Understood

Scented

Creamy

Melancholy

Excellent

Correct answer:

Excellent

Explanation:

"Sterling" means excellent or valuable.

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