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

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

SUBTERRANEAN

Possible Answers:

Forest 

Hotel lobby 

Underground 

Cafeteria 

Stadium 

Correct answer:

Underground 

Explanation:

"Subterranean" means underground: It contains the prefix ­"sub-," which means under or below, and the root "terra," which comes from the Latin word for earth. So, "underground" is the best answer, because it is closest in meaning to "subterranean."

Example Question #22 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ABNORMAL

Possible Answers:

Adept

Normal

Simple

Atypical

Predictable

Correct answer:

Atypical

Explanation:

"Abnormal" is defined as unusual or not normal. "Atypical" is defined is not typical, so "atypical" is the best answer choice. The prefixes "a-" or "ab-" can mean not, as is demonstrated in "abnormal" and "atypical" respectively meaning not normal and not typical.

Example Question #23 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INCONSIDERATE

Possible Answers:

Rude

Solid

Fortunate

Disheveled

Limber

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

The word "inconsiderate" is formed from the negative prefix "in-," which here means not, and the word "considerate," which means polite or thinking of other's feelings. So, the word "inconsiderate" means not considerate, or impolite due to not thinking of other's feelings. The answer choice closest in meaning to "inconsiderate" is thus "rude," which means ill-manneredimpolite, or discourteous. As for the other answer choices, "solid" means tangible and not able to be passed through; "fortunate" means lucky; "disheveled" means messy in appearance; and "limber" means able to bend easily.

Example Question #24 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

EXCHANGE

Possible Answers:

Wander

Practice 

Trade

Study 

Buy 

Correct answer:

Trade

Explanation:

The prefix "ex-" means out of or away from and the word “change” means to make or become different, so when you “exchange” something, you give away one thing and get something different in return for it. This is most similar in meaning to “trade.” To provide further help, “study” means to review and practice material to learn it; and “wander” means to walk around without a destination.

Example Question #21 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ANTISOCIAL

Possible Answers:

Disobedient 

Hearty 

Talkative 

Frequent 

Unfriendly

Correct answer:

Unfriendly

Explanation:

The prefix "anti-" means not or against, so someone who is “antisocial” is not social or not friendly, or “unfriendly.” To provide further help, “hearty” means strong or vigorous; “frequent” means often; “talkative” means chatty; and “disobedient” means not obedient and badly behaved. Notice how the prefixes "un-," "dis-,"and "anti-" all function to make words mean the opposite of their original meaning.

Example Question #26 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTOLERANT

Possible Answers:

Forgiving 

Domineering 

Narrow-minded 

Suspicious 

Youthful 

Correct answer:

Narrow-minded 

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" means not, so someone who is “intolerant” is not tolerant. “Tolerant” means patient with and understanding of other people, so someone who is “intolerant” is not patient with or understanding of others. A "narrow-minded" person does not consider or have patience for ideas unlike their own, so "narrow-minded" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “youthful” means young; “forgiving” means not blaming or feeling angry at someone for something that person did wrong; “domineering” means bossy; and “suspicious” means having a hunch that someone did something wrong based on little evidence.

Example Question #27 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

SIMULATION

Possible Answers:

Simmer 

Copy 

Finish 

Scatter 

Erase

Correct answer:

Copy 

Explanation:

The prefix "simu-" means similar to or like something, and the word “simulate” means to copy something so that it looks or feels like something else. To provide further help, “erase” means get rid of or delete; “scatter” means spread around or spread out; and “simmer” means to burn or boil at a low temperature.

Example Question #28 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTERMEDIATE

Possible Answers:

Numerous 

Middle 

Mediocre 

Insane 

Ultimate

Correct answer:

Middle 

Explanation:

The prefix "inter-" means between and the word “intermediate” means the middle level of something, often difficulty. To provide further help, “mediocre” means average when higher quality was expected; “ultimate” means best or supreme; “insane” means crazy; and “numerous” means plentiful or existing or gathered in large numbers.

Example Question #22 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISHONESTY

Possible Answers:

Guilt

Secret

Ignorance

Cheating

Deception

Correct answer:

Deception

Explanation:

You can take a good guess at what "dishonesty" means by noticing the "dis-" prefix that leads the word. "Dis-" is sometimes used as a negative prefix that, when added to a word, makes the new word mean the opposite of what the word added on to typically means, as in words like "disentangle," which means the opposite of "entangle." It's thus not surprising that "dishonesty" means the opposite of "honesty," or on other words, deceptiondeceit, or intentional trickery. Someone may be dishonest by "cheating" on a test and taking advantage of the "ignorance" of others, they may want to keep this a "secret," and they may feel "guilt" at having been dishonest, but none of these answer choices mean the same thing as "dishonesty," so none can be the correct answer. Only "deception" is close in meaning to "dishonesty," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #30 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IMPERMANENT

Possible Answers:

Disdain

Temporary

Preserve

Portrayal

Valuable

Correct answer:

Temporary

Explanation:

The prefix "im-" means not, as in the words "impossible," "impolite," and "improbable." So, "impermanent" means temporary or not permanent, and "temporary" is the correct answer.

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