SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PANDEMONIUM

Possible Answers:

Orderliness

Bliss

Mayhem

Misery

Discovery

Correct answer:

Mayhem

Explanation:

The prefix "pan-" means everything, and appears in words like “Pangaea” and “pandemic.” In this context, it means a state where everything is going wrong, or “mayhem." ("Pandemonium" was first used in Milton's Paradise Lost to mean "the place where all demons live," which one might be able to infer from the word's use of the root "demon.") To provide further help, “bliss” is happiness and contentedness; “orderliness” means tidiness and the quality of being well organized; and “misery” is great sadness.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INCONGRUOUS

Possible Answers:

Social

Ill-fitting

Dangerous

Protective

Jaunty

Correct answer:

Ill-fitting

Explanation:

"Incongruous" means inappropriateout of place, or ill-fitting, so "ill-fitting" is the correct answer.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INTERMEDIATE

Possible Answers:

Intentional

Elite

Bottom

Priceless

Middle

Correct answer:

Middle

Explanation:

"Intermediate" means middle.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PREDISPOSITION

Possible Answers:

Tendency 

Disinclination 

Repudiate 

Mar 

Renounce 

Correct answer:

Tendency 

Explanation:

A “predisposition” is a tendency or liability to think or feel a certain way about something. For example, someone from a violent past might be “predisposed” to violence in the present. The correct answer is thus "tendency," as "tendency" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "predisposition."As for the other answer choices, a “disinclination” is the opposite of a “predisposition”— it is something you are not liable to do; “repudiate” and “renounce” both mean to reject or declare that something is wrong and stop participating in it; and “mar” is a verb that means ruin or make worse.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PHILANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Parsimonious 

Insolent 

Bemused 

Charitable 

Impressive 

Correct answer:

Charitable 

Explanation:

The root "anthro" means related to mankind, and the root "phil­" means loving. The word “philanthropic” thus means something related to loving mankind. Of the five answer choices, something that suggests a love of man is “charitable.” Both “philanthropic” and “charitable” are used to describe someone who gives generously to others. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "philanthropic": “insolent” means rude; “bemused” means perplexed or confused; and “parsimonious” means selfish or not generous with others.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Roots

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

UNEXPECTED

Possible Answers:

Announced

Forced

Reached

Sudden

Planned

Correct answer:

Sudden

Explanation:

"Unexpected" means sudden or unplanned for, so "sudden" is the correct answer.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Roots

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

AMBIVALENT

Possible Answers:

Unwieldy 

Vexing 

Unsettling  

Unprepared 

Unsure

Correct answer:

Unsure

Explanation:

The prefix "ambi-" means both, as in “ambidextrous,” which means equally skilled with both hands. In this context, “ambivalent” means to be in two minds, to be in both minds, to be unsure. To provide further help, “vexing” means puzzling or confusing; something that is “unsettling” makes you nervous and uncomfortable; to be “unprepared” means to be not ready.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Roots

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

OMNIPRESENT

Possible Answers:

Omnivore 

All-knowing

Ubiquitous 

Carnivore 

All-powerful

Correct answer:

Ubiquitous 

Explanation:

The prefix omni- means everywhere or everything, as in “omnipotent,” which means all-powerful or “omniscient,” which means all-knowing. The word “omnipresent” means present everywhere; this is closest in definition to “ubiquitous,” which means existing everywhere. To provide further help, a “carnivore” is a creature that only eats meat; an “omnivore” is a creature that eats meat and vegetables, that eats everything.  

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Roots

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

GRIEVANCE

Possible Answers:

Review 

Stipulation 

Complaint

Explanation 

Support 

Correct answer:

Complaint

Explanation:

"Grieve" is a root word that signifies a problem or negative situation. A grievance most nearly means a complaint or alert someone to a problem.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Roots

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

EGOIST

Possible Answers:

Professional performer

Calm spectator

Diminutive child

Self-centered person

Preeminent politician

Correct answer:

Self-centered person

Explanation:

The root word "ego" indicates someone who is self-centered. An "egoist" is a person who is overly focused on their own interests. "Diminutive" means small. "Preeminent" means a notable or leading figure.

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