SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #86 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FATHOMABLE

Possible Answers:

Comprehensible

Amiable 

Comfortable 

Agreeable 

Intangible 

Correct answer:

Comprehensible

Explanation:

The suffix "-able" means able to be,so “fathomable” means able to be fathomed—that is, able to be understood. Notice how all of the answer choices use "-able" or ­"-ible"; this means that you will have to try and figure out which answer choice's stem is most similar to “fathom.” The correct answer is "comprehensible" because "comprehend" means understand. As for the other answer choices, “amiable” means friendly or sociable; “agreeable” means pleasant or easy-going; “intangible” means not able to be touched or not able to be defined, and "comfortable" means cozy and pleasant.

Example Question #87 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

REPREHENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Bewildered

Shameful

Auditory

Optical

Triumphant

Correct answer:

Shameful

Explanation:

"Reprehensible" means disgraceful or shameful, so "shameful" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "shameful": “optical” means related to seeing; “auditory” means related to hearing; "triumphant" means victorious; and "bewildered" means very confused.

Example Question #88 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

EQUALIZE

Possible Answers:

Condemn 

Demonstrate

Praise 

Balance 

Laud 

Correct answer:

Balance 

Explanation:

The prefix equ- means equal, same, so the word “equalize” means to make equal. Of the five answer choices this is most similar in meaning to “balance.” To provide further help, “demonstrate” means to show how to do something; “laud” means praise; “condemn” means criticize, say is wrong.

Example Question #89 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

HOMICIDE

Possible Answers:

Theft

Murder

Passivity

Aggression

Incentive

Correct answer:

Murder

Explanation:

The suffix -cide means related to killing, and the prefix homi- means related to humans, or to sameness (depending on context). Here it could be said to mean either related to humans or related to being the same, because “homicide” involves a human killing a human, or “murder.” To provide further help, “theft” is stealing; “aggression” is hostility, anger; “passivity” is the opposite of aggression, sometimes calm or weak; “incentive” is motivation, the reason for doing something

Example Question #90 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

GYNECOLOGY

Possible Answers:

Treatment of women

Treatment of children

Treatment of the elderly

Treatment of adolescents

Treatment of animals

Correct answer:

Treatment of women

Explanation:

The prefix gyne­- means relating to women or to women’s reproductive systems. “Gynecology” is the medicine that specializes in treating women. To provide additional help, the medicine that specializes in treating children is called “pediatrics.” 

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

FANATICISM

Possible Answers:

Delicate

Zealotry

Jive

Idealism

Imagination

Correct answer:

Zealotry

Explanation:

“Fanaticism” is a fanatic outlook or fanatic behaviour. “Fanatic” means marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion. Both words share a link with the root “fan,” as in football fan. “Fanaticism” can also be called “zeal,” which is a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something. If you show “zealous” behaviour then you are full of “zealotry.” To help you “idealism” is the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty. “Jive” means a type of fast lively dance or music that was especially popular in the early part of the twentieth century; it can also mean informal language that includes many slang terms.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

LISTLESS

Possible Answers:

Vigorous 

Energetic 

Cheerful 

Lethargic 

Vivacious 

Correct answer:

Lethargic 

Explanation:

"Listless" means lacking energy and enthusiasm and is therefore most similar in meaning to "lethargic." For clarification, the other four answer choice are all loosely synonyms of one another and antonyms of "listless" and "lethargic."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

Reckless

Possible Answers:

Careless

Disabled

Prudent

Crimson

Destructive

Correct answer:

Careless

Explanation:

"Reckless" means uncareful; Prudent means careful; Destructive means causing damage; Disabled means injured; and Crimson is a shade of red.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

GRUESOME

Possible Answers:

Horrible 

Average

Medicore 

Middling 

Wonderful

Correct answer:

Horrible 

Explanation:

Something that is "gruesome" is grotesque and horrible. For clarification, mediocre, middling and average are all synonyms that mean in the middle.

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