SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TERRESTRIAL
Earthly
Nonchalantly
Heavenly
Airborne
Underwater
Earthly
The Latin prefix "terra-" means Earth. So, "terrestrial" means of the Earth or related to the Earth. Additionally, "nonchalantly" means done without care or attention; "airborne" means in the air, flying.
Example Question #52 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTRADICT
Hasten
Warn
Belittle
Purloin
Challenge
Challenge
"Contradict" is a verb meaning to deny or be in conflict with. Contra is derived from the Latin root meaning to speak against, so the correct answer will be a synonym meaning to go against. With this in mind, challenge is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek
A synonym of “synthesis” is __________.
dissociation
signal
annoyance
fusion
opinion
fusion
“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
Shapely
Crafty
Hopeless
Pointless
Formless
Formless
"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
Ancient
Sophisitcated
Modern
Advanced
Lavish
Ancient
"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
Unnamed
Armed
Determined
Crafty
Deceptive
Unnamed
"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
Coordinate
Scatter
Time
Consistent
Dissonance
Coordinate
"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
Cattle
Categorical
Cataclysm
Catalog
Callous
Cataclysm
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.
Example Question #53 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BERATE
grieve
organize
set free
rate something as valuable
scold angrily
scold angrily
Berate means to scold angrily and at length.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BEGUILE
Entice
Quell
Allow
Suggest
Deride
Entice
“Beguile” means to charm or entice someone, so the correct answer is “entice," which means to tempt someone. For clarification, "deride" means to mock, and "quell" means to suppress or subdue.
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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
