All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
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
Invalidate
Supplant
Document
Support
Service
Invalidate
"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
Irritating
Unfair
Delicious
Logical
Honorable
Logical
"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
Make unclear
None of those mentioned
Make clear
Make happy
Make sad
Make clear
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
Barter
Retreat
Provoke
Undermine
Ajar
Provoke
"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
Enlarge
Abuse
Forgive
Tighten
Declare
Abuse
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
Comprehensible
Amiable
Comfortable
Agreeable
Intangible
Comprehensible
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
Bewildered
Shameful
Auditory
Optical
Triumphant
Shameful
"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
Condemn
Demonstrate
Praise
Balance
Laud
Balance
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
Theft
Murder
Passivity
Aggression
Incentive
Murder
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
Treatment of women
Treatment of children
Treatment of the elderly
Treatment of adolescents
Treatment of animals
Treatment of women
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.”
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