SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Reticent

Repulsive

Humble

Tedious

Appropriate

Correct answer:

Reticent

Explanation:

"Taciturn" most nearly means not saying much, or "reticent." One might write, "The taciturn man listened to the conversation, but didn't volunteer his own opinion."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Very small

Grandiose 

Very large 

Timid 

Ostentatious 

Correct answer:

Very small

Explanation:

"Miniscule" means tiny. For clarification, "grandiose" and "ostentatious" are synonyms that both mean very large and luxurious; "timid" means very shy.

Example Question #102 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INNOVATIVE

Possible Answers:

Incomplete

Traditional

New

Mobile

Worn

Correct answer:

New

Explanation:

"Innovative" is an adjective that means original and unprecedented. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "new."

Example Question #1261 : Synonyms

Synonyms

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

INNOCUOUS

Possible Answers:

proper

antagonistic

under the skin

off-kilter

harmless

Correct answer:

harmless

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless.

Example Question #1271 : Synonyms

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

desirable

wicked 

righteous 

dormant 

pious 

Correct answer:

wicked 

Explanation:

"Malevolent" means wicked or evil; it is the antonym of benevolent. For clarification, "pious" means deeply religious; "dormant" means asleep or in a state of inactivity.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

Agriculture

Possible Answers:

Agreement

Explanation

Observation

Farming

Opportunity

Correct answer:

Farming

Explanation:

"Agriculture" means farming.

Example Question #107 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Numerous

Possible Answers:

Fluid

None

Few

Many

Scarce

Correct answer:

Many

Explanation:

"Numerous" means many, or a lot of.

Example Question #1272 : Synonyms

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Malediction

Degradation

Disparagement

Curse

Blessing

Correct answer:

Blessing

Explanation:

The Latin root "bene" means good. If you know that, then you should be able to figure out that "blessing" and "benediction" are synonyms. The Latin root "mal" means bad, and "malediction" and "curse" are synonyms. "Disparagement" and "degradation" are synonyms that each mean abasement.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Militant

Amenable 

Affable

Tranquil

Serene

Correct answer:

Militant

Explanation:

"Bellicose" means eager to fight. "Amenable" and "affable" mean agreeable and likable, respectively. You can eliminate them because they have such similar meanings. "Tranquil" and "serene" both mean peaceful, so you can eliminate them. Or, if you know that the Latin root "belli-" means war, you may be able to figure out that "bellicose" means war-like. "Militant" means aggressive, therefore it has the closest meaning to "bellicose."

Example Question #1273 : Synonyms

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

Join

Enter

Shrink

Oppose

Fall

Correct answer:

Join

Explanation:

“Coalesce” means come together. It is helpful to remember that the prefix "co-" often means together or joined as in "cooperation" or "cofounded."

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