SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots from Latin

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

righteous 

pious 

desirable

wicked 

dormant 

Correct answer:

wicked 

Explanation:

"Malevolent" means wicked or evil; it is the antonym of benevolent. For clarification, "pious" means deeply religious; "dormant" means asleep or in a state of inactivity.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

Agriculture

Possible Answers:

Agreement

Opportunity

Farming

Observation

Explanation

Correct answer:

Farming

Explanation:

"Agriculture" means farming.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

Numerous

Possible Answers:

None

Scarce

Many

Fluid

Few

Correct answer:

Many

Explanation:

"Numerous" means many, or a lot of.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Curse

Disparagement

Blessing

Malediction

Degradation

Correct answer:

Blessing

Explanation:

The Latin root "bene" means good. If you know that, then you should be able to figure out that "blessing" and "benediction" are synonyms. The Latin root "mal" means bad, and "malediction" and "curse" are synonyms. "Disparagement" and "degradation" are synonyms that each mean abasement.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Amenable 

Tranquil

Affable

Serene

Militant

Correct answer:

Militant

Explanation:

"Bellicose" means eager to fight. "Amenable" and "affable" mean agreeable and likable, respectively. You can eliminate them because they have such similar meanings. "Tranquil" and "serene" both mean peaceful, so you can eliminate them. Or, if you know that the Latin root "belli-" means war, you may be able to figure out that "bellicose" means war-like. "Militant" means aggressive, therefore it has the closest meaning to "bellicose."

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

Join

Fall

Enter

Oppose

Shrink

Correct answer:

Join

Explanation:

“Coalesce” means come together. It is helpful to remember that the prefix "co-" often means together or joined as in "cooperation" or "cofounded."

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

OMNIVOROUS

Possible Answers:

All-fearing 

All-eating

All-seeing

All-encompassing

All-knowing 

Correct answer:

All-eating

Explanation:

An animal which is “omnivorous” is an animal that eats both other animals and plants. To help, "omni-" usually means all when it is used as a prefix. From this, we can tell that “omnivorous” means all-eating or all-devouring. "Encompassing” means including or covering, so it is wrong. If you are all-knowing you are said to be “omniscient.” 

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

DIALECT

Possible Answers:

Idiom 

Word 

Conversation 

Lesson 

Speech 

Correct answer:

Idiom 

Explanation:

A “dialect” is non standard speech or speech that is specific to a region. People from New York and Kentucky may speak different “dialects.” A similar word to “dialect,” is “idiom” which refers to words and phrases informally used in particular places. Try not to mistake “dialect” for “dialogue,” which means a conversation between two or more people. Remember that the prefix "dia-" generally means across and that "lect," whether used as a prefix or suffix, refers to “speech,” such as in the word "lecture."

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

SYNONYMOUS

Possible Answers:

Loud

Somber

Different

Interesting

Equivalent

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

"Synonymous" means expressing or implying the same idea; having the character of a synonym. "Equivalent" is the best answer choice, as it means equal or the same.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Enraged

Dull

Lethargic

Affable

Bright

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

The best answer choice is "bright." The definition of "luminous" is radiating or reflecting light. This can be derived from the definition of "illuminate," which means to brighten or light up

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