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

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

IGNOBLE

Possible Answers:

Haughty 

Shameful 

Harangue 

Rebuke 

Proud 

Correct answer:

Shameful 

Explanation:

"Ignoble" means not noble or shameful, as you might be able to infer from the word's use of the negative prefix "ig-," which means not, and is found in other words like "ignorant," which comes from the Latin word for not knowing. So, "shameful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "haughty" means proud and arrogant, "harangue" means criticize or a criticizing speech, "rebuke" means scold or tell off, or a criticism.

Example Question #22 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

A synonym of “deflate” is __________.

Possible Answers:

risk

maneuver

facilitate

dispirit

inspire

Correct answer:

dispirit

Explanation:

“Deflate” is a verb that can mean “let air or gas out of something,” “be emptied of air or gas,” or “cause someone to suddenly lose confidence,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “let air or gas out of something,” “be emptied or air or gas,” or “cause someone to lose confidence.” That means that “inspire” cannot be the correct answer, because “inspire” means “fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “deflate.” “Dispirit,” however, is a verb that means “to cause to lose enthusiasm or hope,” and because “dispirit” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “deflate,” “dispirit” is the correct answer.

Example Question #23 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Decode

Possible Answers:

to infer

to secure

to defend

to translate

to hide

Correct answer:

to translate

Explanation:

"Decode" means to translate; to hide means to move away from the open; to secure means to get possession of; to defend means to protect; and to infer means to imply.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

Disregard

Possible Answers:

to adopt

to ignore

to accept

to change

to consider

Correct answer:

to ignore

Explanation:

"Disregard" means to ignore.

Example Question #23 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Corroborate

Say

Oppose

Captivate

Ban

Correct answer:

Oppose

Explanation:

"Contradict" means to oppose or to assert the contrary. It contains the roots "contra-", which means "against," and "dict-", which means to speak.

Words you may not know:

  • "Corroborate" means to make certian; confirm.
  • "Captivate" means to catch the attention of.

Example Question #24 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

SUPERVISE

Possible Answers:

Oversee

Discuss

Strengthen

Contemplate

Fantasize

Correct answer:

Oversee

Explanation:

"Supervise" means oversee, watch over or direct an event or activity, so "oversee," which means manage or direct, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "supervise" and "oversee": "strenghen" means make something or someone stronger or sturdier; "discuss" means talk about an issue or topic with other people; "fantasize" means dream about or imagine; and "contemplate" means think about for a period of time.

Example Question #25 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CONCUR

Possible Answers:

Comprehend

Evaluate

Suffer

Fail

Agree

Correct answer:

Agree

Explanation:

"Concur" means to agree or to share the same opinion or viewpoint with another person, so "agree" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "concur" and "agree": "comprehend" means understand; "evaluate" means assess or judge something; "suffer" means feel or experience pain; and "fail" means be unable to complete a task or goal.

Example Question #26 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ELONGATE

Possible Answers:

Lengthen 

Weaken 

Shorten 

Divide

Strengthen 

Correct answer:

Lengthen 

Explanation:

"Elongate" means to lengthen or to make something longer. You may have been able to guess this answer even if you did not know the meaning of the word because of the inclusion of the word “long” within "elongate." 

Example Question #27 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DECOMPOSE

Possible Answers:

Improve 

Fey 

Remiss

Allow

Rot 

Correct answer:

Rot 

Explanation:

"Decompose" means to break down or to rot. For clarification, "remiss" means careless or neglectful, "fey" means supernatural, "allow" means permit, and "improve" means to make (something) better.

Example Question #28 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

RECEDE

Possible Answers:

Outline 

Portray 

Withdraw 

Era

Thesis 

Correct answer:

Withdraw 

Explanation:

"Recede" means to pull back or to withdraw, so "withdraw" is the correct answer. For clarification, "portray" means to depict, and an "era" is a period of history.

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