SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Using Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

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Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

MISSILE

Possible Answers:

Combat 

Maneuver 

Projectile 

Antagonist 

Replica 

Correct answer:

Projectile 

Explanation:

The prefixes "mis-" and "mit-" are used often to mean send. The word “missile” means something sent flying through the air, often as a weapon; this is closest in definition to “projectile,” a word that means something propelled into and through the air. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "missile": “combat” is physical fighting; a “replica” is an exact copy; a “maneuver” is a movement that is difficult to perform; and an “antagonist” is a villain in a story that opposes the hero.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SEQUEL

Possible Answers:

Prequel 

Series

Continuation

Chapter

Motorcade 

Correct answer:

Continuation

Explanation:

A “sequel” is a movie or book that continues a story established in an earlier movie or book. Like words like "sequence," "sequel" is derived from the Latin word "sequi," which means follow. This makes sense; a sequel follows a previous story or movie in a sequence. "Continuation" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "sequel," so "continuation" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "sequel": a “motorcade” is a procession of cars associated with a specific event; a “prequel” is a movie or book that tells the story of what happened before an already established movie or book; "series" means a group things in a specific order or an extended story told over the course of several individual books or movies; and a "chapter" is an individual division of a book.

Example Question #41 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DYNAMIC

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious

Damaging

Quaint

Timid

Forceful

Correct answer:

Forceful

Explanation:

The prefix "dynam-" means related to force or power, so something that is “dynamic” is active or forceful. As for the other answer choices, “quaint” means old-fashioned in a good way; “timid” means shy or meek; “ostentatious” means overtly extravagant and luxurious; and “damaging” means harmful

Example Question #51 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

TERRESTRIAL 

Possible Answers:

Lunar

Spectacular

Earthly

Cosmic

Solar

Correct answer:

Earthly

Explanation:

"Terrestrial" means having to do with the earth or living on land, which makes sense, as the word "terrestrial" is derived from the Latin word "terra," which means Earth. As for the other answer choices, "lunar" means having to do with the moon; "solar" means having to do with the sun; "cosmic" means having to do with outer space; and "spectacular" means impressive or excellent.

Example Question #52 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EJECT

Possible Answers:

Expel

Supply 

Demand 

Insist

Portray

Correct answer:

Expel

Explanation:

The prefixes "e-"and "ex-" both mean out, as in “exit,” which when used as a verb means go out of or leave a location, or “eject,” which means emit, expel, or throw out from a specific location. That means that "expel" is the correct answer, because while "expel" can mean formally kick out of an institution, such as a school, it can also mean throw out of from a specific location. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "eject": “demand” means insist or command when used as a verb; “supply” means give aid or resources to when used as a verb; "insist" means refuse to take any other answer or accept any result other than the one that one desires; and "portray" means depict or characterize.

Example Question #53 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UNIFY

Possible Answers:

Berate 

Monotonous 

Merge

Corroborate

Soften

Correct answer:

Merge

Explanation:

The prefix "uni-" means one, as in “unicycle,” which is a one-wheeled form of transportation powered by pedaling. The word “unify” means make into one group or thing, so "merge" is the correct answer, as "merge" means make two separate groups or things into one group or thing. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "unify": “monotonous” means tedious or boring due to having to do something repetitively; “verify” means confirm that something is true; “berate” means yell at or scold; and "soften" means become or make less severe or hard.

Example Question #54 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Sincere

Blessed

Beneficial

Kind

Elated

Correct answer:

Kind

Explanation:

"Benevolent" means nice and generous. "Kind" means compassionate. Thus, "benevolent" is a synonym of "kind." It can be inferred that "benevolent" means something positive because "bene" is a Latin root meaning good. 

A tempting wrong answer choice is "beneficial," as it sounds similar to "benevolent." However, "beneficial" means of benefit or causing improvement, which is not the meaning of "benevolent."

Example Question #55 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Disagree

Support 

Depict 

Observe

Encourage 

Correct answer:

Disagree

Explanation:

The prefix "contra-" means against or opposite and the root "dict" means speak, so “contradict” means to speak against someone and say that their ideas are wrong or when referring to ideas, to oppose an idea by providing evidence or demonstration that it is false. The correct answer is “disagree.” To provide further help, “encourage” means to offer support for someone, and “depict” means represent or show.

Example Question #56 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

TRANSFORM

Possible Answers:

Mar 

Remedy 

Deft

Soothe 

Change 

Correct answer:

Change 

Explanation:

The prefix "trans­-" means to change shape, so the word “transform” can most simply be defined as “change.” To provide further help, “mar” means ruin; “remedy” means make better, fix; “soothe” means make better, calm; “deft” means highly skilled.

Example Question #57 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

TEMPTATION

Possible Answers:

Temperature

Desire

Moody

Temperamental 

Tempo

Correct answer:

Desire

Explanation:

Note that although words may share a root, they may not necessarily mean the same thing. In this case, "temptation" and "desire" are closest in meaning. "Tempo" refers to timing in music. "Temperature" (think weather) and "temperamental" (think moody) are not related to "temptation" (or desire). As suggested, the words "moody" and "temperamental" are synonymous with each other.

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