SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #751 : Synonyms

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

TECHNOPHILE

Possible Answers:

Connection 

Computer 

Lover of technology 

Lover of television 

Satellite 

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 #752 : Synonyms

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

VULNERABLE

Possible Answers:

Frightened 

Reckless

Sad

Undefended 

Angry

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 #751 : Synonyms

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

PORTABLE

Possible Answers:

Stubborn

Predictable 

Mysterious

Moveable 

Ornate

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

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

QUARRELSOME

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Embellished

Optimistic

Organized

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:

Arrest 

Darkness 

Light 

Power 

Climate 

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 #753 : Synonyms

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

FOREMOST

Possible Answers:

Vast 

Secondary 

Lasting 

Genuine 

Primary 

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:

Undamaged

Soggy 

Intense

Ripped 

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:

polite

abismal

unusual

rude

unsure

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.

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

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

OMNISCIENT

Possible Answers:

All-knowing 

All-powerful

All-feeling

Disasterous

Prudent

Correct answer:

All-knowing 

Explanation:

Someone who is "omniscient" knows everything. So, the correct answer is “all-knowing.” The prefix "omni-" means everything or all. To help you, "omnipotent" means all-powerful.

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

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

DESTITUTE

Possible Answers:

Fate

Willpower 

Polished 

Impoverished 

Generational 

Correct answer:

Impoverished 

Explanation:

The word “destitute” is related to the root word "stature." Your “stature” is your social standing. If you add the negative prefix “de-,” it means the removal of your social position. So “destitute” means extremely poor. Another word that means extremely poor is “impoverished.” To further help you, “generational” means relating to a group of people born at the same time. We can say that taste in music is "generational."

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