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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

REACT

Possible Answers:

Egress 

Respond 

Akin 

Writhe 

Variegated 

Correct answer:

Respond 

Explanation:

The suffix "-act" means to do, to act, to respond. The word “react” means respond to something. To provide further help, “writhe” means twist in pain; “egress” means exit, way out; “akin” means similar to; “variegated” means different looking, multicolored.

Example Question #12 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

OVERBURDENED

Possible Answers:

Overloaded 

Overt

Overhead 

Over the top

Overlook 

Correct answer:

Overloaded 

Explanation:

The prefix "over-" means completely, excessively, too much, so the word “overburdened” means carrying too much of a load, or "overloaded.” To provide further help, “overlook” means ignore; “overhead” means above; "overt" means secret.

Example Question #13 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Possible Answers:

Variable

Luminary

Understood 

Trial

Foundation

Correct answer:

Foundation

Explanation:

The prefix "infra-" generally means below or under, so the word “infrastructure” means basic structure or "foundation." To provide further help, a “trial” is a test; a “variable” is something that can change; a “luminary” is a famous or successful person

Example Question #14 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ANNEX

Possible Answers:

Sing

React 

Sort

Add

Accommodate

Correct answer:

Add

Explanation:

The prefix "an-" means toward, to join, or to add onto. The word “annex,” when used as a verb, means add or join, and it is most commonly used when talking about adding territory to an existing defined area of land , as in “In the twentieth Century the United States annexed the islands of Hawaii.” The best answer, therefore, is “add.” None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "annex": “accommodate” is  verb that means provide someone with a house or help by making changes to the way in which one regularly does something; "sing" means audibly perform a song; and "sort" means categorize or physically arrange into categories.

Example Question #15 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ATYPICAL

Possible Answers:

Wary 

Zealous 

Uncommon 

Turncoat 

Derogatory 

Correct answer:

Uncommon 

Explanation:

The prefix "a-" means not, so “atypical” has the opposite meaning of “typical.” Something that is “typical” is predictable, boring, or common, so “atypical” is closest in meaning to “uncommon.” The prefix "un-" functions here in the same way as the prefix "a-" does in "atypical"; it negates the meaning of the word. As for the other answer choices, “zealous” means passionate; “derogatory” means disrespectfulrude, or offensive; “wary” means cautious, anxious, or careful; and "traitorous" means treacherous or betraying the trust of someone or a group.

Example Question #16 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EXHALE

Possible Answers:

Travel

Whine

Breathe

Speak

Sing

Correct answer:

Breathe

Explanation:

The prefix "ex-" means out or away, so to “exhale” means to breathe out, just like to “inhale” means to breathe in. That makes "breathe" the closest synonym to "exhale" amongst the answer choices. As for the other answer choices, "whine" means moan or complain about something.

Example Question #17 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISTANT

Possible Answers:

Nearby

Erroneous

Faraway

Discomfiting

Abhorrent

Correct answer:

Faraway

Explanation:

The prefix "dis-" means apart or away, so the word “distant” means located far away or difficult to read the emotions of and "faraway" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “nearby” is an antonym of "far-away” and means located close by; “erroneous” means incorrect or made-up; “discomfiting” means causing you to feel uncomfortable; and “abhorrent” means disgusting or disgraceful

Example Question #18 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

RECOURSE

Possible Answers:

Alternative 

Normality 

Conclusion 

Text

Introduction

Correct answer:

Alternative 

Explanation:

The prefix "re-" means again or in additional to. A “recourse” is a different option, or an alternative, so "alternative" is the correct answer. To provide further help, an “introduction” is something that begins something and a “conclusion” is something that ends something, "normality” means ordinariness,  and "text" is written words or a collection of written words such as a poem or book.

Example Question #19 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

REFERRAL

Possible Answers:

Gratis 

Recommendation

Dictator

Representative 

Criterion 

Correct answer:

Recommendation

Explanation:

The root "fer" means to bring or to carry, as in how “ferries” move passengers from one side of a body of water or river to another. Similarly, the word “referral” means the bringing of a source that offers help or information. It is closest in meaning to the word “recommendation.” To provide further help, “gratis” means free; “criterion” means the principle or decisive factor for picking or evaluating something; a “dictator” is a leader who rules through absolute power and control; and a “representative” is someone elected to represent the peoples’ interests.

Example Question #11 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Dishonest

Possible Answers:

Smart

Honest

Untrustworthy

Considerate

Likeable

Correct answer:

Untrustworthy

Explanation:

"Dishonest" means not honest or untrustworthy.

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