SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

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

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Captivate

Corroborate

Ban

Oppose

Say

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 #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

SUPERVISE

Possible Answers:

Strengthen

Contemplate

Oversee

Fantasize

Discuss

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 #23 : 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:

Fail

Comprehend

Suffer

Agree

Evaluate

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 #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.

ELONGATE

Possible Answers:

Shorten 

Strengthen 

Weaken 

Lengthen 

Divide

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 #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.

DECOMPOSE

Possible Answers:

Improve 

Rot 

Fey 

Remiss

Allow

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 #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.

RECEDE

Possible Answers:

Thesis 

Outline 

Portray 

Withdraw 

Era

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.

Example Question #1191 : Synonyms

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

CONTORT

Possible Answers:

Increase

Twist

Conversate

Befriend

Construct

Correct answer:

Twist

Explanation:

"Twist" is the best answer choice. "Contort" means to twist, bend, or draw out of shape

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

INFUSE

Possible Answers:

Inject

Release

Insult

Accelerate

Merge

Correct answer:

Inject

Explanation:

"Infuse" means to inject, so "inject" is the correct answer. You may have been able to associate the two words based on their shared "in-" prefix, which in each does not function as a negative prefix but instead means inward.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

POSTERITY

Possible Answers:

Future generations 

Acumen

Possibility 

Ancestors

Fables

Correct answer:

Future generations 

Explanation:

Something that is preserved for "posterity" is preserved for future generations to enjoy, so "future generations" is the correct answer. For clarification, "ancestors" are forefathers or, more generally, the people who came before us, and "acumen" means insight or shrewdness.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

INCOMPETENT

Possible Answers:

Inappropriate 

Formulaic

Appropriate

Inept

Useful

Correct answer:

Inept

Explanation:

"Incompetent" means incapable of doing something, so "inept," a word which means unskilled, is the correct answer. For clarification, "formulaic" means trite or following a standard format, "useful" means practical, "appropriate" means suitable, and "inappropriate" means improper.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors