SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1301 : Synonyms

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

HETEROGENEOUS

Possible Answers:

Glib

Different

Same

Orthodox

Wise

Correct answer:

Different

Explanation:

The prefix "hetero-" means the opposite of the prefix "homo-." Whereas "homo-" means same, "hetero-" means different. “Heterogeneous” means consisting of different things and is often used to describe mixtures.

Example Question #1302 : Synonyms

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Hostile

Narrow

Beautiful

Causal

Morbid

Correct answer:

Hostile

Explanation:

"Bellicose" means hostile or eager to fight. The Latin root word, "bellum" means war.

Example Question #1303 : Synonyms

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

INVIGORATE

Possible Answers:

Offer

Relinquish

Energize

Shake

Exhaust

Correct answer:

Energize

Explanation:

Invigorate means fill with health and energy, as you may be able to work out from the "in-" prefix, which is here not functioning as a negative one but instead one meaning to take in, and "vigor," which means energy or liveliness. "Energy" is the closest synonym amongst the provided answer choices.

Example Question #1304 : Synonyms

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Audacious

Distinct

Vague

Limber

Correct answer:

Vague

Explanation:

The word root "morph" derives from the Greek for "form," and the prefix "a-" is a negative prefix. So “amorphous” means without form, or "vague." To provide further help, “distinct” means different and easily identifiable; “limber” means flexible; and “audacious” means bold or daring

Example Question #1305 : Synonyms

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

FORTIFY

Possible Answers:

Strengthen

Weaken

Delineate

Encase

Trap

Correct answer:

Strengthen

Explanation:

"Fortify" means strengthen, so "strengthen" is the correct answer. "Fortify" is derived from the Latin word "fortis," which means strong; English words like "fort" and "fortitude" are derived from the same root.

Example Question #1306 : Synonyms

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

PERFORATE

Possible Answers:

Administer

Deviate

Wield

Puncture

Impale

Correct answer:

Puncture

Explanation:

The prefix "per-" means through or go through, so “perforate” means to make a hole through something, or “puncture.” To provide further help, “wield” means carry and use as a weapon; “administer” means manage or oversee; “impale” means stab, which is close in meaning to “perforate,” but not the closest; finally, "deviate" means vary from a path, plan, or trajectory.

Example Question #1307 : Synonyms

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

PRESCIENCE

Possible Answers:

Revision 

Understanding 

Testing 

Foresight

Preliminary

Correct answer:

Foresight

Explanation:

“Prescience” means foresight or the ability to know what will or might happen in the future. This is closest to “foresight,” which means the ability to know about events before they happens. You can infer the meaning of these words from their prefixes: "pre-" and "fore-" both mean before. It is important not to get distracted by the word root "science" in "prescience," as it could lead you to choose “testing," an incorrect answer. “Revision” means editing (literally the act of looking at something again), and “preliminary” means initial or done first in order to prepare for something, which you may be able to infer from the word's use of the prefix "pre-," which means before. “Understanding” is similar to “prescience” in that it suggests knowing something, but “understanding” is not associated with knowing about future events before they happen.

Example Question #1308 : Synonyms

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

DICTATE

Possible Answers:

Smell 

Touch 

Feel 

Speak 

Hear

Correct answer:

Speak 

Explanation:

The prefix "dict-" means related to speaking and speech, so “dictate” is closest in meaning to "speak." More specifically, "dictate" means speak aloud words that you wish someone else to write down. You might “dictate” something to your assistant to write down.

Example Question #1309 : Synonyms

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

INSOMNIA

Possible Answers:

Withering

Sleeplessness

Poem

Offense

Inspection

Correct answer:

Sleeplessness

Explanation:

"Insomnia" is related to the Latin root "somnus," meaning sleep. Adding the negative prefix "in-" makes "insomnia," the inability to sleep, which we also call "sleeplessness."

Example Question #1310 : Synonyms

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

HOMOGENEOUS

Possible Answers:

Varied

Corresponding

Unique

Attempted

Uniform

Correct answer:

Uniform

Explanation:

The prefix "homo-" means same, and in this instance, that is sufficient information; “homogenous” means of the same kind, so "uniform" (identical) is the best answer choice.

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