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 #31 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Cooperative

Indifferent

Stricken

Threadbare

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 #32 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

AUTONOMY

Possible Answers:

Independence

Mercenary

Finance

Theory

Replica

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 #33 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

AMORAL

Possible Answers:

Unethical

Flexible

Elegant

Extravagant

Admirable

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Amoral" means unethical or not moral.

Example Question #34 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Complete this analogy.

Gynophobia is to women as heliophobia is to _________.

Possible Answers:

warfare

animals 

sunlight 

children 

men 

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 #35 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Complete this analogy.

Necrophobia is to death as philophobia is to _________.

Possible Answers:

night 

children 

sunlight 

love

friendship

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.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

MISLEAD

Possible Answers:

Adjust

Arrange

Lie

Prepare

Criticize

Correct answer:

Lie

Explanation:

"Mislead" means to lie.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

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

PEDAGOGY

Possible Answers:

Vibration

Prodigy

Teaching

Repellent

Empire

Correct answer:

Teaching

Explanation:

"Pedagogy" means teaching or the science of teaching. The root word "pedo-" means child. The suffix "-agogy" means to lead. "Teaching" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

LIFELESS

Possible Answers:

Deceased

Intimidating

Adept

Abundant

Insane

Correct answer:

Deceased

Explanation:

"Lifeless" means dead or deceased. "Abundant" means a lot or plentiful. "Intimidating" means causing fear or terror in a person. "Insane" means crazy or mentally ill. "Adept" means very skilled in something.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

SLAVISH. 

Possible Answers:

Juxtapose

Mollify 

Significant 

Servile 

Haughty 

Correct answer:

Servile 

Explanation:

“Slavish” means slave-like, as in slave-ish, and unoriginal or mindless. This is most similar in meaning to servile which means servant-like, obedient. For clarification, haughty means arrogant; mollify means calm; juxtapose mean compare and contrast.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

ABODE

Possible Answers:

Above

Abolition

Residence

Abound

Residue

Correct answer:

Residence

Explanation:

The words "abode" and "residence" are synonymous nouns referring to domiciles. The other words do not have meanings that are well aligned with that of "abode."

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