SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Suffixes from Greek

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Suffixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Bibliophile is to books as zoophile is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

parties

circuses

humans 

monkeys 

animals

Correct answer:

animals

Explanation:

The suffix "-phile" means lover of and the prefix "bibl-" means related to books, so we can see that “bibliophile” means a lover of books. To solve this analogy, you need to determine what a “zoophile” is a lover of. The correct answer is “animals.” The prefix "zoo-" means related to animals, so whenever you see it in a word, it is reasonable to assume that the word will have something to do with animals.

Example Question #21 : Suffixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Introvert is to extrovert as underpopulated is to __________.

Possible Answers:

repopulated 

unpopulated 

overpopulated

populated

depopulated

Correct answer:

overpopulated

Explanation:

“Introvert” and “extrovert” are antonyms; they are complete opposites of each other. We can tell this from their prefixes, "intro-," which means having to do with the inside of something, and "extro-," which means having to do with the outside of something. An “introvert” is someone who keeps to themselves, while an “extrovert” likes to be outgoing. This tells us that we should look for the opposite of “underpopulated.” The opposite of "under-" (not enough) is "over-" (too much), so the answer is “overpopulated.” Similarly, “depopulated” means the opposite of “repopulated” just as “unpopulated” means the opposite of “populated.” To help, a place which is “populated” has people living on or in it; for example New York is populated.

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