All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #42 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISQUIET
Unease
Scare
Composure
Noise
Loudness
Unease
"Dis-“ is commonly used to mean not in words; however, in this case it means away from while “quiet” means peace or tranquillity. “Disquiet” thus means an emotional state in which peace and tranquility have been taken away—that is, nervousness. The word closest in meaning to "disquiet" is thus “unease,” which is a feeling when you are not at ease—that is, not peaceful or tranquil. The incorrect answer “composure” means one's calmness during a high-stress situation and is thus an antonym of "unease."
Example Question #43 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IGNOBLE
Venerable
Dishonorable
Parsimonious
Outlandish
Ostentatious
Dishonorable
The prefix "ig-" is a negative prefix; this means it takes the original meaning of the word and causes it to mean the opposite. So, whereas “noble” means honorable, “ignoble” means not honorable, or "dishonorable." ("Dis-" is also a negative prefix having the same effect on the adjective "honorable.") To provide further help, “parsimonious” means not generous with money; “ostentatious” means pretentious and fancy; “outlandish” means bizarre or weird; and “venerable” means old and well-respected.
Example Question #44 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INHOSPITABLE
Retractable
Harsh
Habitable
Fortuitous
Infected
Harsh
“Inhospitable” describes environments and means not suitable to supporting life, so you could say an “inhospitable” place is “harsh.” To clarify, try not to confuse it with “hospital,” although the two words share the same root. “Habitable” refers to environments and means able to be lived in. “Retractable” means easily withdrawn or taken back.
Example Question #45 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CERTITUDE
Absolute sureness
Emphasis
Distrust
Revenue
Recommendation
Absolute sureness
"Certitude" means "Absolute Sureness" or freedom from doubt. "Certitude" comes from the Latin root "cert-" which means sure.
"Recommendation" means the act of presenting something or someone as worth of confidence, use, etc.
"Distrust" means to regard with doubt or not trust.
"Revenue" means the amount of money regularly coming in or income from a property, service or tax.
"Emphasis" means special stress laid upon something, or the act of giving something special importance.
Example Question #46 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OMNISCIENT
Religious
Original
Omnipotent
False
Perceiving all things
Perceiving all things
"Omniscient" means having unlimited awareness, so "perceiving all things" is the correct answer. The Latin root "omni-" means all.
"Religious" means related to a religion or related to a belief system that typically involves ritualistic practices.
"False" means not true or correct.
"Omnipotent" means unlimited power.
"Original" means pertaining to the beginning of something.
Example Question #47 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANTIQUATED
Analog
Post-modern
Antedeluvian
Anarchic
Modern
Antedeluvian
"Antedeluvian" and "antiquated" have different latin prefixes (ante- meaning before and anti- meaning against). Nevertheless, these words are synonyms referring to a period of time before modernity. "Antiquated" and "antedeluvian" can mean outdated or old-fashioned. The other answer choices do not have this meaning.
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TERRESTRIAL
Earthly
Heavenly
Nonchalantly
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 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTRADICT
Challenge
Warn
Belittle
Hasten
Purloin
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 __________.
annoyance
fusion
dissociation
signal
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
Pointless
Hopeless
Crafty
Formless
Shapely
Formless
"Amorphous" means without shape or form, so the correct answer is “formless.” For clarification, "shapely" means well-proportioned; "crafty" means sly and sneaky.
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
