SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #526 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SAGE

Possible Answers:

Speckled

Wise

Hungry

Luscious

Camouflaged

Correct answer:

Wise

Explanation:

Used as an adjective, "sage" means very wise. "Camouflaged" means hidden by blending in with the surrounding environment. "Speckled" means dotted or spotted, "hungry" means wanting or needing food, and" luscious" (often used to describe food) means delicious or lush.

Example Question #527 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOSTALGIC

Possible Answers:

Amiable

Scrawny

Juvenile

Friendly

Sentimental

Correct answer:

Sentimental

Explanation:

"Nostalgic" and "sentimental" both indicate a feeling of tenderness, longing, or sweet sadness, often for bygone eras. "Scrawny" means thin and undernourished, and "juvenile" means young or immature. "Amiable" and "friendly" are synonyms.

Example Question #528 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STEADFAST

Possible Answers:

Lucky

Faithless

Heavy

Sporty

Loyal

Correct answer:

Loyal

Explanation:

"Steadfast," "loyal," and "faithful" all mean committed to a person or cause in an unwavering manner. "Faithless" is an antonym of this concept. "Heavy" and "light" are antonyms, as are "lucky" and "unlucky."

Example Question #529 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOBLE

Possible Answers:

Worried

Nutty 

Gruesome

Abnormal

Virtuous

Correct answer:

Virtuous

Explanation:

"Noble" and "virtuous" both describe someone who is highly ethical and morally upstanding. "Gruesome" means grisly or frightful, and "worried" means concerned or nervous. "Abnormal" means unusual or strange. "Nutty" can mean either peculiar or tasting like nuts, depending on whether it describes a person or a food.

Example Question #530 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WISTFUL

Possible Answers:

Defeated

Toothsome

Nostalgic

Inappropriate

Luckless

Correct answer:

Nostalgic

Explanation:

"Wistful" and "nostalgic" are synonyms. "Inappropriate" and "appropriate" are antonyms, as are "luckless" and "lucky." "Toothsome" means tasty or mouthwateringly appetizing. "Defeated" is the opposite of triumphant.

Example Question #531 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EMPATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Crude

Unemotional

Defeated

Sympathetic

Intellectual

Correct answer:

Sympathetic

Explanation:

While "sympathetic" and "empathetic" refer to slightly different traits, both concern the ability to understand or feel another person's emotions. "Intellectual" refers to the intellect or intelligence. "Defeated" and "victorious" are antonyms. "Unemotional" and "emotional" are also antonyms. "Crude" means simple, unrefined, or primitive.

Example Question #532 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPERTINENT

Possible Answers:

Humble

Rude

Friendly

Distraught

Lecherous

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Impertinent" means rude or insolent.

"Distraught" means upset, frantic or emotionally troubled.

"Friendly" means kind, sympathetic or acting as a friend does.

"Lecherous" means lustful, lewd, or crude in a sexual manner.

"Humble" means unpretentious, or meek and mild.

Example Question #533 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COQUETTISH

Possible Answers:

Persnickety

Churlish

Flirtatious

Crude

Repentant

Correct answer:

Flirtatious

Explanation:

"Coquettish" means "flirtatious" or teasing in a friendly manner.

"Repentant" means feeling sorry or remorseful.

"Persnickety" means uptight, fussy or particular

"Churlish" means rude, crude or uncivilized.

"Crude" means vulgar, coarse or lewd.

Example Question #534 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Righteous

Upstanding

Moral

Law-abiding

Rebellious

Correct answer:

Rebellious

Explanation:

"Unruly" and "rebellious" similarly mean going against the rules. The other choices are closely related in meaning to each other, each referring to rule abiding (whether societal or moral), but are opposite in meaning to "unruly."

Example Question #535 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHOLERIC

Possible Answers:

Bored

Disturbed

Ill-tempered

Joyful

Perturbed

Correct answer:

Ill-tempered

Explanation:

"Choleric" and "ill-tempered" are synonymous adjectives describing someone's anger or irritability. "Perturbed" and "disturbed" are closely related but do not have meanings which are well aligned with the word "choleric." The other answer choices are not synonyms of "choleric" either.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors