SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

A synonym of “synthesis” is __________.

Possible Answers:

dissociation

signal

annoyance

fusion

opinion

Correct answer:

fusion

Explanation:

“Synthesis” is a noun that means “combination or composition,” and in particular, “the combination of ideas to form a theory or system.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “combination.” That means that “dissociation” cannot be the correct answer, because “dissociation” means “the disconnection or separation of something from something else or the state of being disconnected,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “synthesis.” “Amalgamation,” however, means “the action, process, or result of combining or uniting,” and because “amalgamation” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “synthesis,” “amalgamation” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Shapely 

Crafty 

Hopeless 

Pointless 

Formless 

Correct answer:

Formless 

Explanation:

"Amorphous" means without shape or form, so the correct answer is “formless.” For clarification, "shapely" means well-proportioned; "crafty" means sly and sneaky.

Example Question #1221 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Primitive

Possible Answers:

Ancient

Sophisitcated

Modern

Advanced

Lavish

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primitive" means ancient.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ANONYMOUS

Possible Answers:

Unnamed

Armed

Determined

Crafty

Deceptive

Correct answer:

Unnamed

Explanation:

"Anonymous" means unnamed or unidentified, so "unnamed" is the correct answer. "Armed" means carrying weapons. "Determined" means intent or set on some course of action. "Crafty" means cunning or tricky. "Deceptive" means misleading or fraudulent.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

SYNCHRONIZE

Possible Answers:

Coordinate

Scatter

Time

Consistent

Dissonance

Correct answer:

Coordinate

Explanation:

"Synchronize" is a synonym of "coordinate." "Synchronize" means to make happen or work at the same rate and contains the prefixes "syn-", which means same; together, and "chrono-", which means time.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

CATASTROPHE

Possible Answers:

Cattle

Categorical

Cataclysm

Catalog

Callous

Correct answer:

Cataclysm

Explanation:

A "cataclysm" or "catastrophe" is a terrible, often naturally occurring, event. These words are synonymous and share a greek prefix. The other words may have similar spellings, but they are not closely related in meaning to catastrophe.

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