All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2201 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIFFUSE
Scattered
Variant
Disagreeable
Dissimilar
Irregular
Scattered
The word “diffuse” comes from roots that literally mean poured away from. The “di-” prefix means away from or down from, and the “-fuse” means to pour. This latter is found in words like “infuse” (meaning, literally, to pour into) and “effusive” (meaning pouring out, implying that someone “pours out” a great amount of something like praise). As a verb, the word “diffuse” means to scatter or to spread out, as when one diffuses a smell into a room or when an idea diffuses through an entire population. The word can likewise be used as an adjective, basically having the meaning of the past participle of the word, namely “scattered.”
Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECLUDE
Scan
Attend
Stop
Pester
Cooperate
Stop
To "preclude" something is to stop it from happening. The prefix "pre-" means before, and the root word, "clud," means to close or to shut.
Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EQUIVOCAL
Ambiguous
Necessary
Nauseous
Adorned
Fair
Ambiguous
"Equivocal" means ambiguous or allowing the possibility of different meanings. The prefix "equi-" means equal.
Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMMOBILE
Swollen
Precise
Destined
Loud
Motionless
Motionless
"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 #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INDEFATIGABLE
Tireless
Versatile
Courageous
Misguided
Explanatory
Tireless
"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 #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPARAGE
Avenge
Hound
Belittle
Emerge
Ingest
Belittle
To "disparage" is to belittle. The root word, "parage," means equality, and the prefix, "dis-," means not.
Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROVENANCE
Style
Blockage
Origin
Language
Participation
Origin
"Provenance" means origin. The root word, "ven," means come, and the prefix "pro-" means for or forward.
Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPPROBRIUM
Circus
Revelry
Corrosion
Pleasantry
Disgrace
Disgrace
"Opprobrium" means disgrace from shameful conduct. The Latin root word, "probum," means a shameful act. The prefix, "ob-," means against.
Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERVIOUS
Stationary
Mobile
Smooth
Impenetrable
Porous
Impenetrable
"Impervious" means impenetrable.
Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IGNOMINY
Dishonor
Pet
Support
Accident
Perfection
Dishonor
"Ignominy" means dishonor or disgrace. The root word, "nom," means name. The prefix, "ig-," means without or not.
Certified Tutor