SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IMMOBILE

Possible Answers:

Precise

Loud

Swollen

Destined

Motionless

Correct answer:

Motionless

Explanation:

"Immobile" means incapable of moving or being moved. The root word "mob" means move. The prefix, "im-," means not or without. Thus, the best answer choice is "motionless." 

Example Question #21 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INDEFATIGABLE

Possible Answers:

Courageous

Explanatory

Versatile

Misguided

Tireless

Correct answer:

Tireless

Explanation:

"Indefatigable" means unable to be tired out. The best choice is "tireless." The prefix "in-" means not, and the Latin root word, "fatigare," means to tire. "Fatigare" is also the root for the word fatigue.  

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

DISPARAGE

Possible Answers:

Hound

Ingest

Avenge

Emerge

Belittle

Correct answer:

Belittle

Explanation:

To "disparage" is to belittle. The root word, "parage," means equality, and the prefix, "dis-," means not.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

PROVENANCE

Possible Answers:

Participation

Language

Style

Blockage

Origin

Correct answer:

Origin

Explanation:

"Provenance" means origin. The root word, "ven," means come, and the prefix "pro-" means for or forward.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

OPPROBRIUM

Possible Answers:

Corrosion

Disgrace

Circus

Revelry

Pleasantry 

Correct answer:

Disgrace

Explanation:

"Opprobrium" means disgrace from shameful conduct. The Latin root word, "probum," means a shameful act. The prefix, "ob-," means against.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

IMPERVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Mobile

Smooth

Porous

Impenetrable

Stationary

Correct answer:

Impenetrable

Explanation:

"Impervious" means impenetrable.

Example Question #26 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IGNOMINY

Possible Answers:

Dishonor

Accident

Pet

Support

Perfection

Correct answer:

Dishonor

Explanation:

"Ignominy" means dishonor or disgrace. The root word, "nom," means name. The prefix, "ig-," means without or not.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

IMPERTURBABLE

Possible Answers:

Indirect

Wry

Calm

Clueless

Bewildered

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

"Imperturbable" means not able to be perturbed, and since "perturbed" means annoyed, it makes sense that"imperturbable" means calm, unflappable, or composed. "Clueless" is a synonym for oblivious. "Wry" means ironic or mocking.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ANTIDOTE

Possible Answers:

Canal

Collision

Emblem

Medicine

Patron

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 #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

HYPERBOLE

Possible Answers:

Vignette

Evasion

Exaggeration

Tribune

Supremacy

Correct answer:

Exaggeration

Explanation:

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

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