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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

TECHNOPHOBE

Possible Answers:

Invents new technology

Sells new technlogy 

Fears new techology 

Uses new technology 

Loves new technology 

Correct answer:

Fears new techology 

Explanation:

A "technophobe" is someone who dislikes, or is afraid of, new technology. Any time you see a word that ends in the suffix "-phobe," you know that the word means someone who is afraid of something. For example, an "arachnophobe" is afraid of spiders.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

TECHNOPHILE

Possible Answers:

Connection 

Lover of technology 

Computer 

Satellite 

Lover of television 

Correct answer:

Lover of technology 

Explanation:

A "technophile" is someone who loves technology. Any time you see a word that ends with the suffix "-phile," it means that the word will be describing someone who loves something. For example, a "bibliophile" is a person who loves books.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

VULNERABLE

Possible Answers:

Sad

Undefended 

Frightened 

Angry

Reckless

Correct answer:

Undefended 

Explanation:

If a castle wall or a defense is “vulnerable,” it is open to an attack or lacking a defense. It is similar in meaning to "undefended," which means not defended. To further help you, if you are “reckless,” you do not consider the results of your actions; “frightened” means scared.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

PORTABLE

Possible Answers:

Moveable 

Ornate

Stubborn

Mysterious

Predictable 

Correct answer:

Moveable 

Explanation:

“Portable” means able to be transported or moved, so “moveable,” which means able to be moved, is the correct answer. The suffix "-able" generally means able to have something done to it. As for the other answer choices, “predictable” means able to be predicted or boring; “mysterious” means secretive and difficult to understand; “stubborn” means holding to one's opinion even when given a good reason or evidence to change one's mind; and "ornate" means decorated in a fancy, detailed way.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

QUARRELSOME

Possible Answers:

Optimistic

Embellished

Organized

Intelligent

Argumentative

Correct answer:

Argumentative

Explanation:

One definition of a "quarrel" is an argument, so "quarrelsome" means often starting or participating in arguments. That means that "argumentative" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ILLUMINATION

Possible Answers:

Climate 

Darkness 

Light 

Arrest 

Power 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

"Illumination" comes from the root verb "illuminate" which means to light something up. The suffix "-ion" indicates a noun. 

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