All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOLEFUL
Elated
Melancholy
Mediocre
Indomitable
Deer-like
Melancholy
"Doleful" means "melancholy," sad, or depressing.
None of the other words are synonymous with doleful:
"Mediocre" means average or ordinary.
"Indomitable" means invincible, stubborn or unyielding.
"Deer-like" means related to a deer, or possessing qualities of a deer. Deer are often described as having doleful eyes.
"Elated" means wildly excited and happy, or euphoric.
Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MELANCHOLY
Somber
Nervous
Anxious
Excited
Antsy
Somber
"Melancholy" is an adjective describing an emotion synonymous with "somber." The rest of the answers are all closely related: "Excited," "Anxious," "Antsy," and "Nervous" are all emotions, but they are not emotions related to sadness in the way "melancholy" and "somber" are.
Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTRAUGHT
Fraught
Pleasant
Polite
Agreeable
Obliging
Fraught
"Distraught" and "fraught" are synonyms describing a person's emotional state, a deeply upset and disquieted one. These words are opposite in meaning to the rest of the answer choices, which all describe pleasant states.
Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BASHFUL
Blithe
Shy
Broken
Carefree
Demolished
Shy
"Bashful" means shy, reserved, or inhibited. "Broken" means not functional, and "demolished" means destroyed or ruined. "Carefree" and "blithe" both mean happily untroubled and unworried.
Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSPICIOUS
Dun
Umber
Ignorant
Mistrustful
Unschooled
Mistrustful
To be "suspicious" of someone or something is not to trust that person or thing. "Ignorant" and "unschooled" both mean uneducated or lacking knowledge. "Dun" is a gray-brown color, and "umber" is a dark brown color.
Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONFOUNDED
Bewildered
Highly intelligent
Nautical
Ignorant
Benighted
Bewildered
"Confounded" and "confused" both mean bewildered. "Benighted" and "ignorant" both mean lacking knowledge. "Nautical" means maritime, which is a word often used to describe sailors or sailing. "Intelligent" and "stupid" are antonyms.
Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BITTER
Gleeful
Resentful
Delighted
Forgiving
Placating
Resentful
While "bitter" can describe a sharp, acid taste, it can also describe an angry or resentful emotional state. This word is the opposite of "forgiving". To "placate" someone is to soothe or calm that person. "Gleeful" and "delighted" are synonyms.
Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFEATED
Neutral
Expectant
Demoralized
Quizzical
Victorious
Demoralized
"Defeated" and "victorious" are antonyms, but "defeated" and "demoralized" are synonyms. "Expectant" means anticipatory. "Quizzical" means puzzled. "Neutral" means taking neither side in an argument or conflict.
Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MODEST
Precise
Humble
Aggressive
Pushy
Meek
Humble
"Modest" and "humble" mean self-effacing and moderate. "Aggressive" and "pushy" both mean forceful. "Precise" and "accurate" are near synonyms, as are "meek" and "submissive."
Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUIZZICAL
Erroneous
Appeased
Puzzled
Chic
Mollified
Puzzled
"Quizzical" and "puzzled" are synonyms referring to the state of being confused. "Mollified" and "appeased" both mean soothed or placated. "Erroneous" means wrong, incorrect. "Chic" means stylish or fashionable.
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
