SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Library is to books as bakery is to __________.

Possible Answers:

kitchen

oven

pencils

bread

CDs

Correct answer:

bread

Explanation:

One would expect to be able to get books from a library, so to solve this analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that is an object you would expect to be able to get from a bakery. You might expect to be able to get bakery from a bakery, so "bread" is the correct answer. None of the other answers make sense in the blank as something you might expect to get from a bakery; while you might expect to find an oven and a kitchen in a bakery, you wouldn't expect to be able to take these things with you like books from a library, so those answer choices are incorrect.

Example Question #42 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Inhale is to exhale as implicit is to __________.

Possible Answers:

extraneous

implied 

extrapolate 

interesting

explicit 

Correct answer:

explicit 

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" means into and the prefix "ex-" means out of. So, to “inhale” is to breathe in and to “exhale” is to breathe out. To solve this analogy, you need to identify the answer choice that is the opposite of “implicit.” “Implicit” means understood without having to be directly said, so the best antonym is “explicit,” which means obviously stated. None of the other answer choices are antonyms of "implicit": “implied” means suggested but not directly stated, so it is a synonym of implicit; "extraneous" means extra and not necessary; and “extrapolate” is a verb that means take certain information and reach some conclusion about it; and "interesting" means able to hold one's attention or fascinating.

Example Question #43 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Driving is to motorist as walking is to __________

Possible Answers:

pedestrian 

ambassador 

mercenary 

paramedic 

representative 

Correct answer:

pedestrian 

Explanation:

The prefix "motor-" means related to cars, so a “motorist” is someone who is driving a car or other motorized vehicle. To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices is a name for someone who is walking near traffic. The root "ped" means having to do with walking or feet, so the correct answer is “pedestrian.” When you walk along the side of the road or cross the street, you are a “pedestrian.” None of the other answer choices are words that mean someone who is walking near traffic: an “ambassador” is someone who represents a group’s interests, especially that of a nation, to a third party; a “mercenary” is someone who is paid to fight; a “representative” is someone who is elected to represent the interests of the people in government; and a “paramedic” is someone who responds to medical emergencies.

Example Question #681 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Cover is to rug as enclose is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pool

floor

garden

fence

umbrella

Correct answer:

fence

Explanation:

You can use a rug to cover the floor, so to solve this analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that is something you can use to "enclose" an area. "Enclose" means close off from all sides, so you can use a fence to enclose an area. That means that fence is the correct answer.

Example Question #682 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Triangle is to three as square is to __________.

Possible Answers:

shape

four

five 

sides

angles

Correct answer:

four

Explanation:

A triangle is a three-sided shape, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine how many sides a square has. The correct answer is that a square has “four” sides. The prefix "tri-" usually means that the word will relate in some way to the number three.

Example Question #683 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Biped is to two as quadruped is to __________.

Possible Answers:

four 

six 

five 

seven 

eight 

Correct answer:

four 

Explanation:

The root "ped" means related to legs, walking, or feet. A “biped” is a two-legged animal. The prefix ­"bi-" means related to the number two. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine how many legs a “quadruped” has. The correct answer is “four,” because the prefix ­"quad-" means related to the number four.

Example Question #684 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Manicure is to hands as pedicure is to __________

Possible Answers:

Head 

Arms 

Feet

Eyes 

Face

Correct answer:

Feet

Explanation:

The prefix "man-" means related to hands, just as the prefix "ped-" means related to feet. A “manicure” is a treatment for hands and nails and a “pedicure” is a treatment for feet and toe nails

Example Question #685 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Moral is to amoral as active is to __________.

Possible Answers:

followed

silent

passive

hopeful

reclusive

Correct answer:

passive

Explanation:

The prefix "a-" adds the meaning of not, without, or opposite to. The opposite of “moral” is “amoral.” If you are “moral,” you base your actions on what you think is right and good; if you are “amoral,” you base your actions on what you think is bad or you just do whatever you like. The opposite of “active” is “passive,” where "active" means engaged or in action. If you are “passive” you do nothing or do very little. To further help you, “reclusive” means you prefer to be alone or you shy away from society; “hopeful” means full of hope; “silent” means quiet, without noise.

Example Question #686 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Unreal is to fake as uncertain is to __________.

Possible Answers:

uncaring

unknown

knowing

sure

caring

Correct answer:

unknown

Explanation:

The prefix "un-" means not. "Unreal" means not real, or "fake," so "unreal" and "fake" are synonyms because they have the same meaning. To solve the analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that means the same thing as "uncertain." "Uncertain" means not certain or unknown, so "unknown" is the correct answer.

Example Question #687 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Credulous is to incredulous as credit is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Card

Dismantle 

Impossible 

Discredit

Innate 

Correct answer:

Discredit

Explanation:

The prefixes "in-," "im-," and "dis-" are all negationprefixes. This means they take the original meaning of the word and cause it to mean the opposite. “Credulous” means believing, naïve, gullible, so “incredulous” must mean disbelieving, skeptical, doubtful. To solve this analogy, you have to determine which of these answer choices is the opposite of “credit,” which means to give recognition for some achievement. The correct antonym is “discredit,” which means harm the reputation of, prove wrong. To provide further help, “dismantle” means to take apart; “innate” means natural, inherent; “impossible” means not possible.

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