SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

TERRESTRIAL

Possible Answers:

Airborne

Earthly

Heavenly

Underwater

Nonchalantly

Correct answer:

Earthly

Explanation:

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

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

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Warn

Hasten

Purloin

Belittle

Challenge

Correct answer:

Challenge

Explanation:

"Contradict" is a verb meaning to deny or be in conflict withContra 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 __________.

Possible Answers:

signal

annoyance

opinion

dissociation

fusion

Correct answer:

fusion

Explanation:

“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

Possible Answers:

Hopeless 

Crafty 

Pointless 

Shapely 

Formless 

Correct answer:

Formless 

Explanation:

"Amorphous" means without shape or form, so the correct answer is “formless.” For clarification, "shapely" means well-proportioned; "crafty" means sly and sneaky.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

Primitive

Possible Answers:

Advanced

Sophisitcated

Ancient

Modern

Lavish

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primitive" means ancient.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ANONYMOUS

Possible Answers:

Crafty

Armed

Unnamed

Determined

Deceptive

Correct answer:

Unnamed

Explanation:

"Anonymous" means unnamed or unidentified, so "unnamed" is the correct answer. "Armed" means carrying weapons. "Determined" means intent or set on some course of action. "Crafty" means cunning or tricky. "Deceptive" means misleading or fraudulent.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

SYNCHRONIZE

Possible Answers:

Coordinate

Scatter

Dissonance

Consistent

Time

Correct answer:

Coordinate

Explanation:

"Synchronize" is a synonym of "coordinate." "Synchronize" means to make happen or work at the same rate and contains the prefixes "syn-", which means same; together, and "chrono-", which means time.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

CATASTROPHE

Possible Answers:

Catalog

Categorical

Cataclysm

Callous

Cattle

Correct answer:

Cataclysm

Explanation:

A "cataclysm" or "catastrophe" is a terrible, often naturally occurring, event. These words are synonymous and share a greek prefix. The other words may have similar spellings, but they are not closely related in meaning to catastrophe.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

BERATE

Possible Answers:

scold angrily

rate something as valuable

organize

grieve

set free

Correct answer:

scold angrily

Explanation:

Berate means to scold angrily and at length.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

BEGUILE

Possible Answers:

Suggest

Deride 

Entice 

Quell 

Allow 

Correct answer:

Entice 

Explanation:

“Beguile” means to charm or entice someone, so the correct answer is “entice," which means to tempt someone. For clarification, "deride" means to mock, and "quell" means to suppress or subdue.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors