All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HETEROGENEOUS
Different
Wise
Glib
Orthodox
Same
Different
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
Narrow
Morbid
Hostile
Beautiful
Causal
Hostile
"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
Shake
Exhaust
Relinquish
Energize
Offer
Energize
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
Distinct
Flexible
Vague
Audacious
Limber
Vague
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
Encase
Strengthen
Trap
Weaken
Delineate
Strengthen
"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
Wield
Puncture
Deviate
Impale
Administer
Puncture
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
Understanding
Testing
Preliminary
Revision
Foresight
Foresight
“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
Touch
Speak
Hear
Feel
Smell
Speak
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
Withering
Inspection
Offense
Sleeplessness
Poem
Sleeplessness
"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
Varied
Corresponding
Attempted
Uniform
Unique
Uniform
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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