SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

NEGATE 

Possible Answers:

Correct 

Attempt 

Disprove 

Save 

Validate 

Correct answer:

Disprove 

Explanation:

The prefix "ne-" often indicates a negative word. "Negate" most nearly means to invalidate or to disprove something. "Validate" is an antonym to "disprove."

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:

Uses new technology 

Fears new techology 

Loves new technology 

Invents new technology

Sells new technlogy 

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:

Lover of television 

Computer 

Satellite 

Connection 

Lover of technology 

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:

Undefended 

Angry

Reckless

Sad

Frightened 

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:

Mysterious

Moveable 

Stubborn

Ornate

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 #4 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

QUARRELSOME

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Optimistic

Organized

Argumentative

Embellished

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 #5 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ILLUMINATION

Possible Answers:

Light 

Arrest 

Climate 

Power 

Darkness 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

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

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

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

FOREMOST

Possible Answers:

Secondary 

Genuine 

Primary 

Vast 

Lasting 

Correct answer:

Primary 

Explanation:

The prefix "fore-" means before or coming first, so “foremost” means "primary," or first in order or importance. To provide further help, “secondary” means coming second in an order or of less importance than other things. Additionally, “vast” means very large; “genuine” means real; and “lasting” means existing for a long time.

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

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

INTACT

Possible Answers:

Soggy 

Intense

Ripped 

Undamaged

Burdened 

Correct answer:

Undamaged

Explanation:

The suffix "-tact" means related to touch, so something that is “intact” is something that has not been broken by people touching it. This is most similar in meaning to the word “undamaged,” where “damaged” means defaced or wrecked and the prefix "un-" means not, causing “undamaged” to mean not defaced or wrecked; in the same condition something was in before an event that could have potentially damaged it. To provide further help, “ripped” means torn; "intense" means of great power or degree, and “soggy” means damp or wet; and “burdened” means weighed down with things or responsibilities

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

A synonym of "inconsiderate" is . . .

Possible Answers:

unusual

unsure

polite

rude

abismal

Correct answer:

rude

Explanation:

"Inconsiderate" is an adjective that means "thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "thoughtlessly hurting or inconveniencing others." While both "unusual" and "unsure" begin with "un-," a negative prefix, just as "inconsiderate" begin with "in-," another negative prefix, "unusual" means "not usual" and "unsure" means "not sure," whereas "inconsiderate" means "not considerate." So, because neither "unusual" nor "unsure" mean the same thing as "inconsiderate," neither can be the correct answer. "Rude," however, is an adjective that means "offensively impolite or ill-mannered," and because "rude" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inconsiderate," "rude" is the correct answer.

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