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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #81 : 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.

NULLIFY

Possible Answers:

Invalidate 

Supplant

Document

Support 

Service 

Correct answer:

Invalidate 

Explanation:

"Nullify" means to make something invalid or to cancel something, so the correct answer is “invalidate.” For clarification, "supplant" means replace.

Example Question #82 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Reasonable

Possible Answers:

Irritating

Unfair

Delicious

Logical

Honorable

Correct answer:

Logical

Explanation:

"Reasonable" means logical, rational, or possessing reason.

Example Question #83 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ILLUMINATE

Possible Answers:

Make unclear 

None of those mentioned

Make clear 

Make happy 

Make sad

Correct answer:

Make clear 

Explanation:

To illuminate something means to shed light on it, to make it clear. The part of the word -lum- generally refers to light or clarity as in illuminate, luminous, illumination, etc.

Example Question #84 : 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.

ANTAGONIZE

Possible Answers:

Barter

Retreat

Provoke

Undermine

Ajar

Correct answer:

Provoke

Explanation:

"Antagonize" means alienate or provoke, so "provoke" is the correct answer. "Undermine" means weaken. "Ajar" is an adjective that means slightly open. "Barter" is a verb that means trade or negotiate the price of an item. "Retreat" means withdraw or move back to a previous location.

Example Question #85 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

VILIFY

Possible Answers:

Enlarge 

Abuse 

Forgive 

Tighten 

Declare

Correct answer:

Abuse 

Explanation:

If you “vilify” someone, you say or write harsh and critical things about them. It is related to the root word "villain." Remember that the suffix "-ify" means to make or invest with attributes. "Villify" is similar in meaning to "abuse," which means to treat harshly or unfairly. To clarify the other terms, “declare” means say publically; “enlarge” means get bigger.

Example Question #86 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FATHOMABLE

Possible Answers:

Comprehensible

Amiable 

Comfortable 

Agreeable 

Intangible 

Correct answer:

Comprehensible

Explanation:

The suffix "-able" means able to be,so “fathomable” means able to be fathomed—that is, able to be understood. Notice how all of the answer choices use "-able" or ­"-ible"; this means that you will have to try and figure out which answer choice's stem is most similar to “fathom.” The correct answer is "comprehensible" because "comprehend" means understand. As for the other answer choices, “amiable” means friendly or sociable; “agreeable” means pleasant or easy-going; “intangible” means not able to be touched or not able to be defined, and "comfortable" means cozy and pleasant.

Example Question #87 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

REPREHENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Bewildered

Shameful

Auditory

Optical

Triumphant

Correct answer:

Shameful

Explanation:

"Reprehensible" means disgraceful or shameful, so "shameful" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "shameful": “optical” means related to seeing; “auditory” means related to hearing; "triumphant" means victorious; and "bewildered" means very confused.

Example Question #88 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

EQUALIZE

Possible Answers:

Condemn 

Demonstrate

Praise 

Balance 

Laud 

Correct answer:

Balance 

Explanation:

The prefix equ- means equal, same, so the word “equalize” means to make equal. Of the five answer choices this is most similar in meaning to “balance.” To provide further help, “demonstrate” means to show how to do something; “laud” means praise; “condemn” means criticize, say is wrong.

Example Question #89 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

HOMICIDE

Possible Answers:

Theft

Murder

Passivity

Aggression

Incentive

Correct answer:

Murder

Explanation:

The suffix -cide means related to killing, and the prefix homi- means related to humans, or to sameness (depending on context). Here it could be said to mean either related to humans or related to being the same, because “homicide” involves a human killing a human, or “murder.” To provide further help, “theft” is stealing; “aggression” is hostility, anger; “passivity” is the opposite of aggression, sometimes calm or weak; “incentive” is motivation, the reason for doing something

Example Question #90 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

GYNECOLOGY

Possible Answers:

Treatment of women

Treatment of children

Treatment of the elderly

Treatment of adolescents

Treatment of animals

Correct answer:

Treatment of women

Explanation:

The prefix gyne­- means relating to women or to women’s reproductive systems. “Gynecology” is the medicine that specializes in treating women. To provide additional help, the medicine that specializes in treating children is called “pediatrics.” 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors