All SSAT Elementary Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #13 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Variable
Understood
Luminary
Trial
Foundation
Foundation
The prefix "infra-" generally means below or under, so the word “infrastructure” means basic structure or "foundation." To provide further help, a “trial” is a test; a “variable” is something that can change; a “luminary” is a famous or successful person.
Example Question #14 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ANNEX
React
Sort
Add
Accommodate
Sing
Add
The prefix "an-" means toward, to join, or to add onto. The word “annex,” when used as a verb, means add or join, and it is most commonly used when talking about adding territory to an existing defined area of land , as in “In the twentieth Century the United States annexed the islands of Hawaii.” The best answer, therefore, is “add.” None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "annex": “accommodate” is verb that means provide someone with a house or help by making changes to the way in which one regularly does something; "sing" means audibly perform a song; and "sort" means categorize or physically arrange into categories.
Example Question #15 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ATYPICAL
Turncoat
Zealous
Uncommon
Derogatory
Wary
Uncommon
The prefix "a-" means not, so “atypical” has the opposite meaning of “typical.” Something that is “typical” is predictable, boring, or common, so “atypical” is closest in meaning to “uncommon.” The prefix "un-" functions here in the same way as the prefix "a-" does in "atypical"; it negates the meaning of the word. As for the other answer choices, “zealous” means passionate; “derogatory” means disrespectful, rude, or offensive; “wary” means cautious, anxious, or careful; and "traitorous" means treacherous or betraying the trust of someone or a group.
Example Question #16 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXHALE
Sing
Breathe
Travel
Speak
Whine
Breathe
The prefix "ex-" means out or away, so to “exhale” means to breathe out, just like to “inhale” means to breathe in. That makes "breathe" the closest synonym to "exhale" amongst the answer choices. As for the other answer choices, "whine" means moan or complain about something.
Example Question #17 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DISTANT
Discomfiting
Erroneous
Faraway
Abhorrent
Nearby
Faraway
The prefix "dis-" means apart or away, so the word “distant” means located far away or difficult to read the emotions of and "faraway" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “nearby” is an antonym of "far-away” and means located close by; “erroneous” means incorrect or made-up; “discomfiting” means causing you to feel uncomfortable; and “abhorrent” means disgusting or disgraceful.
Example Question #18 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RECOURSE
Alternative
Normality
Text
Conclusion
Introduction
Alternative
The prefix "re-" means again or in additional to. A “recourse” is a different option, or an alternative, so "alternative" is the correct answer. To provide further help, an “introduction” is something that begins something and a “conclusion” is something that ends something, "normality” means ordinariness, and "text" is written words or a collection of written words such as a poem or book.
Example Question #19 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
REFERRAL
Gratis
Representative
Criterion
Recommendation
Dictator
Recommendation
The root "fer" means to bring or to carry, as in how “ferries” move passengers from one side of a body of water or river to another. Similarly, the word “referral” means the bringing of a source that offers help or information. It is closest in meaning to the word “recommendation.” To provide further help, “gratis” means free; “criterion” means the principle or decisive factor for picking or evaluating something; a “dictator” is a leader who rules through absolute power and control; and a “representative” is someone elected to represent the peoples’ interests.
Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Dishonest
Smart
Honest
Untrustworthy
Likeable
Considerate
Untrustworthy
"Dishonest" means not honest or untrustworthy.
Example Question #21 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUBTERRANEAN
Stadium
Cafeteria
Hotel lobby
Forest
Underground
Underground
"Subterranean" means underground: It contains the prefix "sub-," which means under or below, and the root "terra," which comes from the Latin word for earth. So, "underground" is the best answer, because it is closest in meaning to "subterranean."
Example Question #22 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ABNORMAL
Predictable
Adept
Simple
Normal
Atypical
Atypical
"Abnormal" is defined as unusual or not normal. "Atypical" is defined is not typical, so "atypical" is the best answer choice. The prefixes "a-" or "ab-" can mean not, as is demonstrated in "abnormal" and "atypical" respectively meaning not normal and not typical.
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