SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DOMICILE.
Home
Work
Suspect
Criminal
Friend
Home
The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ADUMBRATE
Outline
Assassinate
Repel
Store
Mesmerize
Outline
To "adumbrate" is to outline, sketch, or give a faint indication of something. The root "umbra" means shadow. So, "outline" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "adumbrate."
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MOLLIFY
Magnify
Soften
Banter
Meander
Pursue
Soften
"Mollify" is a verb that means to soften or calm. The root word "molli" means soft. So, "soften" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mollify."
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
MAGNANIMOUS
Generous
Subjective
Systemic
Painful
Windy
Generous
"Magnanimous" means generous and noble. The root "magn" means great in Latin, while the root word "animus" means spirit in Latin. So, "generous" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "magnanimous."
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NEOPHYTE
Straw
Aid
Jester
Tolerance
Novice
Novice
A "neophyte" is a beginner or a novice, so "novice" is the correct answer. The root words neo and nov both mean new. The root phyte means growth. None of the other words are close in meaning to "neophyte": "straw" means hay; "aid" means help; "jester" means clown; and "tolerance" means acceptance.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ARBOREAL
Pertaining to rocks
Pertaining to trees
Pertaining to the atmosphere
Pertaining to water
Pertaining to human beings
Pertaining to trees
The word "arboreal" means pertaining to trees. You might be able to infer this because "arbor" is the Latin word for tree. So, the best answer choice is "pertaining to trees."
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOLILOQUY
Destiny
Stagnation
Monologue
Sphere
Permission
Monologue
A "soliloquy" is a monologue. The root word "sol-" means alone, and the root word "loqu-" means talk. "Monologue" is thus the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACQUIT
Judge
Ignore
Sentence
Exonerate
Imprision
Exonerate
When someone is “acquitted” of an action, he or she is “forgiven” or set free from any sort of charges of that action. For instance, someone “acquitted of murder” is judged to be innocent of the crime. The word “exonerate” best matches this usage. It means to remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaning to lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” means out of or away from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaning burdensome or difficult.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VERBOSE
Literary
Soft-spoken
Conjugated
Literal
Wordy
Wordy
The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.
MALICE
Presentation
Benevolence
Malevolence
Information
Courage
Malevolence
"Malice" means evil or the quality of desiring to harm others. So, the correct answer is "malevolence," which also means the quality of desiring to harm others.
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
