SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

A synonym of “insignificant” is __________.

Possible Answers:

palpable

noteworthy

petty

unworthy

young

Correct answer:

petty

Explanation:

“Insignificant” is an adjective that can mean “too small or unimportant to be worth consideration,” “without power or influence” when used of a person, or “meaningless.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “unimportant,” “without power,” or “meaningless.” That means that “noteworthy” cannot be the correct answer, because “noteworthy” means “interesting, significant, or unusual,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “insignificant.” “Petty,” however, is an adjective that means “ of little importance; trivial,” and because “petty” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “insignificant,” “petty” is the correct answer.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

INDIFFERENT

Possible Answers:

Aggressive 

Jocular 

Careless 

Apathetic 

Belligerent

Correct answer:

Apathetic 

Explanation:

"Indifferent" means apathetic or not caring, so "apathetic," an adjective that means unconcerned or unemotional, is the correct answer. For clarification, "careless" means negligent, "jocular" means good-humored, joking, or playful, and "aggressive" and "belligerent" are synonyms that each mean hostile and confrontational.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

Submerged 

Possible Answers:

Mandatory

Underwater

Dry

Brief

Tedious

Correct answer:

Underwater

Explanation:

"Submerged" means underwater; Dry means without water; Brief means temporary; Mandatory means required; and Tedious means boring.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

UBIQUITOUS

Possible Answers:

Urbane

Present

At once

Everywhere

Scarce

Correct answer:

Everywhere

Explanation:

"Ubiquitous" means existing or being everywhere.

Words you may not know: 

  • "Scarce" means not abundant.
  • "Urbane" means having sophistication or elegance, a quality often associated with cities. The root "urb-" (as in urban) means city.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

A synonym of "convivial" is __________.

Possible Answers:

particular

affable

hostile

voracious

minced

Correct answer:

affable

Explanation:

"Convivial" is an adjective that means "friendly, lively, and enjoyable" when being used to describe an atmosphere or event, and "cheerful and friendly; jovial" when being used to describe a person. So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "friendly." "Hostile," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "hostile" means "unfriendly; antagonistic," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "convivial." "Affable," however, is an adjective that means "friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to," and because "affable" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "convivial," "affable" is the correct answer.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

Incompetent

Possible Answers:

Formal

Fortunate

Vast

Unskilled

Deft

Correct answer:

Unskilled

Explanation:

"Incompetent" means unskilled or incapable.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

CIRCUMSPECT

Possible Answers:

Relevant

Cautious

Obscure

Tolerable

Sane

Correct answer:

Cautious

Explanation:

"Circumspect" is derived from the Latin for to look around, so the best meaning is "cautious," as in, "The administration was very circumspect about the responses they gave to the media's questions."

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

SUPERFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Essential 

Happy

Extra

Fey 

Fundamental

Correct answer:

Extra

Explanation:

"Superfluous" means extra or not required, so "extra" is the correct answer. "Superfluous" is an antonym of "essential," which means necessary or required. For clarification, "fundamental" means basicimportant, or essential, and "fey" means supernatural or mystical.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

A synonym of "superfluous" is __________.

Possible Answers:

great

perceptive

mean

essential

redundant

Correct answer:

redundant

Explanation:

"Superfluous" is an adjective that means "unnecessary, especially through being more than enough." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "unnecessary." "Essential," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "essential" means "absolutely necessary; extremely important," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "superfluous." "Redundant," however, is an adjective that means "no longer needed or useful; superfluous," and because "redundant" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "superfluous," "redundant" is the correct answer.

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

MONOTONOUS

Possible Answers:

Enormous

Boring

Successful

Exciting

Fresh

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Monotonous" means boring or dull. "Fresh" means new or recent. "Exciting" means causing interest or excitement. "Enormous" means extremely big. "Successful" means triumphant or accomplishing a goal.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors