SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ANTIDOTE

Possible Answers:

Patron

Collision

Emblem

Canal

Medicine

Correct answer:

Medicine

Explanation:

"Antidote" is a medicine or treatment to counteract a poison. "Canal" is a man-made river. "Patron" is a person who donates to a person or cause. "Emblem" is a symbol or badge that represents something such as a country. "Collision" is a crash.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

HYPERBOLE

Possible Answers:

Evasion

Exaggeration

Supremacy

Vignette

Tribune

Correct answer:

Exaggeration

Explanation:

"Hyperbole" is an obvious exaggeration. The prefix "hyper-" means over or above. "Exaggeration" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #2213 : Synonyms

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Stricken

Threadbare

Cooperative

Indifferent

Extraordinary

Correct answer:

Indifferent

Explanation:

"Apathetic" and "indifferent" mean not interested. The root word "path" means feeling, and the prefix "a-" means not.

Example Question #2214 : Synonyms

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

AUTONOMY

Possible Answers:

Independence

Theory

Finance

Replica

Mercenary

Correct answer:

Independence

Explanation:

"Autonomy" means independence, or a self-governing community. The root word "auto-" means self. The root word "nom" means law or order.

Example Question #2215 : Synonyms

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

AMORAL

Possible Answers:

Unethical

Admirable

Flexible

Extravagant

Elegant

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Amoral" means unethical or not moral.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Gynophobia is to women as heliophobia is to _________.

Possible Answers:

sunlight 

men 

warfare

animals 

children 

Correct answer:

sunlight 

Explanation:

Gynophobia is the fear of women. The prefix gyno- typically suggests a relationship between the word and women. In order to solve this analogy, it is necessary to determine what heliophobia is the fear of. The prefix helio­­- means of or relating to the sun, so the correct answer is “sunlight.”

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Necrophobia is to death as philophobia is to _________.

Possible Answers:

night 

friendship

love

children 

sunlight 

Correct answer:

love

Explanation:

Necrophobia is the fear of death. The prefix necro- generally suggests an association with death. To solve this analogy you have to determine what philophobia is the fear of. The prefix or suffix phil- means of or relating to love, so philophobia is the fear of love.

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