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 #11 : Synonyms: Roots

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

Subterfuge

Possible Answers:

Grain

Evasion

Information

Onset

Underground

Correct answer:

Evasion

Explanation:

"Subterfuge" means a stratagem used to evade a consequence or conceal something. The best answer choice is "evasion." The Latin root word, "subter," means secretly, and the Latin root word, "fugere," means to flee.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Perfect

Captivating

Regimented 

Volatile

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

Benevolent means kind, friendly, or charitable.  The root word "bene" means good or well. 

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BENEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Harmless

Violent

Kindly

Urgent

Correct answer:

Kindly

Explanation:

Someone who is benevolent is kindly, helpful, or friendly. The root word is "bene," Latin for "good."

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CIRCUMLOCUTION

Possible Answers:

Spin

Evasion

Wandering

Journey

Incoherence

Correct answer:

Evasion

Explanation:

Circumlocution is the act of talking around the point instead of getting directly to it; it's speaking evasively or indirectly. The roots are "circum", Latin for "around", and "locut-" Latin for "speaking;" "circumlocution" is "around-speaking."

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Roots

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

COGENT

Possible Answers:

Deluded

Hidden

Machine-like

Convincing

Urgent

Correct answer:

Convincing

Explanation:

Something that is cogent is logical, sensible, and intelligent. It comes from the Latin root "cog-" meaning "think/know", as in "cognition" (the act of thinking or knowing) and "incognito" (unknown, or under cover).

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Rotting

Thoughtful

Unified

Obese

Friendly

Correct answer:

Obese

Explanation:

Someone who is corpulent is very fat, or obese. This comes from the Latin root "corp-", meaning body, as in "corpse" and "incorporate."

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CREDULITY

Possible Answers:

Hilarity

Misery

Cruelty

Fidelity

Gullibility

Correct answer:

Gullibility

Explanation:

Credulity is the condition of being eager to believe something, so the synonym is gullibility. The Latin root here is "cred-", which means to believe, as in "credit" (being willing to trust or believe someone or something), and "incredible" (unbelievable).

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Roots

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

DIMINUTIVE

Possible Answers:

Degrading

Tiny

Funny

Stupid

Insulting

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Diminutive" means small, so the synonym you want is "tiny." This comes from the Latin root "minute," meaning a small thing, as in "minute" (small measure of time) and "mini-" (a prefix meaning anything small in size) or "minus" (to make smaller by subtracting).

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Roots

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

FIDELITY

Possible Answers:

Transfer

Carnage

Cusp

Loyalty

Identification

Correct answer:

Loyalty

Explanation:

The root 'fid' means faith or trust.  Fidelity means loyalty.  

Example Question #2241 : Synonyms

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

NOVEL

Possible Answers:

Free

Scholarly

New

Central

Malevolent

Correct answer:

New

Explanation:

The root 'nov' means new.  Thus, novel means new.  

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