SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy. 

Nonagon is to nine as hexagon is to __________.

Possible Answers:

seven 

shapes 

sides 

angles 

six 

Correct answer:

six 

Explanation:

The prefix non- means related to the number nine. A “nonagon” is a nine-sided shape. To solve this analogy you have to determine which number is related to the prefix hex-, the correct answer is “six.” A “hexagon” has six sides.

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy. 

Three is to triplets as five is to __________.

Possible Answers:

quintuplets

quadruplets

fifth

children

twins

Correct answer:

quintuplets

Explanation:

“Triplets” are three children born at the same time, of the same mother. The prefix tri- means related to the number three. To solve this analogy, you have to determine what word is used to describe five children born at the same time, of the same mother. The prefix ­-quin means related to the number five, as does the prefix pent-; in this instance, the correct answer is “quintuplets.”

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy. 

Sanctify is to holy as fortify is to __________.

Possible Answers:

strong

impotent

desirable

vulnerable

weak

Correct answer:

strong

Explanation:

“Sanctify” means to make holy, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices means to make strong. The correct answer is “fortify.” If you were unable to answer this question immediately, it would become helpful to use your knowledge of prefixes. The prefix sanct- means related to holiness or tranquility, and the prefix fort- means related to strengthening or protecting. To provide further help, “vulnerable” means in danger from something specific; “impotent” means powerless; “desirable” means able to be desired, wanted

Example Question #7 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Ailing is to hurt as rejuvenating is to __________.

Possible Answers:

worsening

ancient

healing

youthful

sick

Correct answer:

healing

Explanation:

“Ailing” means in pain, sick or suffering, so it is a synonym for “hurt;” therefore, in order to solve this analogy you have to find the best synonym for “rejuvenating;” the correct answer is “healing.” To help you figure this out, the prefix ail- means related to sickness or pain and the word fragment -juve- means related to youth or, in this instance, related to regaining youth and health. To provide further help, ancient means old.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Centipede is to legs as century is to __________.

Possible Answers:

numbers

hundred 

insects

animals

years

Correct answer:

years

Explanation:

The prefix cent- means related to the number one hundred. A “centipede” is an insect that has one hundred legs, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what a “century” has one hundred of. The correct answer is “years,” there are one hundred years in a “century.”

Example Question #7 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Father is to paternal as mother is to __________

Possible Answers:

female

maternal 

author 

augment 

matrimony

Correct answer:

maternal 

Explanation:

“Paternal” means relating to fatherhood. So, to solve this analogy, you have to figure out which of these answer choices means relating to motherhood. The correct answer is “maternal.” The prefixes "pat-" and "mat-" usually suggest that the word will be related to men and related to women, respectively. As for the other answer choices, “matrimony” means marriage and “augment” means enhance or make better.

Example Question #8 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Young is to juvenile as old is to __________

Possible Answers:

ancient 

terminal 

matriarchy 

patriarchy

terminate 

Correct answer:

ancient 

Explanation:

“Juvenile” means young or immature. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine which answer choice is closest in meaning to "old." The correct answer is “ancient.” The prefix ­"juv-" means having to do with youthfulness and immaturity. To provide further help, “terminate” means end and “terminal” means causing an end or causing death. As you can see, the prefix "term-" means related to ending. To provide additional clarification, a “patriarchy” is a society dominated by men and a “matriarchy” is a society dominated by women. The prefix "patr-" means related to men and the prefix "matr-" means related to women.

Example Question #661 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Primary is to first as tertiary is to __________

Possible Answers:

third 

one

second 

three

two 

Correct answer:

third 

Explanation:

“Primary” means coming first or occurring first, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine which number is associated with the word “tertiary.” The correct answer is “three.” Although the prefix ­"ter-" is a little different than the prefix ­"tri-," they both mean related to the number three.

Example Question #21 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Monosyllabic is to one as polysyllabic is to ___________

Possible Answers:

some 

none 

two 

many

all

Correct answer:

many

Explanation:

The prefix "mono­-" means related to the number one, and the prefix "poly-" means related to more than one or related to many. In this instance, that information would be enough for you to solve this problem. However, further clarification will be helpful for other problems. A “monosyllabic” word is a word that has one syllable, and a "polysyllabic" word is a word that has more than one syllable. So, "red" and "blue" are each monosyllabic words, and "yellow" and "color" are each polysyllabic words.

Example Question #22 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Charming is to repelling as attractive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

disinterest 

contrary 

amoral

disarming 

unattractive 

Correct answer:

unattractive 

Explanation:

To be “charming” is to be pleasing in an attractive way. “Charming” is also the opposite of “repelling.” You can tell that the opposite of “attractive” is “unattractive,” as it has the prefix "un-," which usually adds the meaning not to a word. To help you, “disinterest” is a lack of concern or little concern, and “disarming” means tending to remove any feelings of unfriendliness or distrust,so it is similar to “charming.” “Contrary” means being the exact opposite of something else or not favorable or helpful, and “amoral” is having or showing no concern about whether behavior is morally right or wrong.

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