SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Roots

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

HETEROGENEOUS

Possible Answers:

Different

Wise

Glib

Orthodox

Same

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 #42 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Narrow

Morbid

Hostile

Beautiful

Causal

Correct answer:

Hostile

Explanation:

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

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INVIGORATE

Possible Answers:

Shake

Exhaust

Relinquish

Energize

Offer

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 #44 : Synonyms: Roots

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Distinct

Flexible

Vague

Audacious

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 #45 : Synonyms: Roots

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

FORTIFY

Possible Answers:

Encase

Strengthen

Trap

Weaken

Delineate

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 #46 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PERFORATE

Possible Answers:

Wield

Puncture

Deviate

Impale

Administer

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 #47 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PRESCIENCE

Possible Answers:

Understanding 

Testing 

Preliminary

Revision 

Foresight

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 #48 : Synonyms: Roots

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

DICTATE

Possible Answers:

Touch 

Speak 

Hear

Feel 

Smell 

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 #49 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INSOMNIA

Possible Answers:

Withering

Inspection

Offense

Sleeplessness

Poem

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 #50 : Synonyms: Roots

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

HOMOGENEOUS

Possible Answers:

Varied

Corresponding

Attempted

Uniform

Unique

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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