SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1257 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
FANATICISM
Delicate
Zealotry
Idealism
Imagination
Jive
Zealotry
“Fanaticism” is a fanatic outlook or fanatic behaviour. “Fanatic” means marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion. Both words share a link with the root “fan,” as in football fan. “Fanaticism” can also be called “zeal,” which is a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something. If you show “zealous” behaviour then you are full of “zealotry.” To help you “idealism” is the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty. “Jive” means a type of fast lively dance or music that was especially popular in the early part of the twentieth century; it can also mean informal language that includes many slang terms.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LISTLESS
Vivacious
Energetic
Vigorous
Cheerful
Lethargic
Lethargic
"Listless" means lacking energy and enthusiasm and is therefore most similar in meaning to "lethargic." For clarification, the other four answer choice are all loosely synonyms of one another and antonyms of "listless" and "lethargic."
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.
Reckless
Disabled
Careless
Prudent
Crimson
Destructive
Careless
"Reckless" means uncareful; Prudent means careful; Destructive means causing damage; Disabled means injured; and Crimson is a shade of red.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters
GRUESOME
Wonderful
Middling
Horrible
Average
Medicore
Horrible
Something that is "gruesome" is grotesque and horrible. For clarification, mediocre, middling and average are all synonyms that mean in the middle.
Example Question #91 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BENEVOLENCE
Malevolence
Evil
Vice
Desire
Goodness
Goodness
"Benevolence" means goodness; someone who is benevolent is virtuous. For clarification, "malevolence" is the antonym of benevolence and means evil or vice.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
CREDENTIALS
Misdemeanors
Prospects
Requirements
Qualifications
Excessive
Qualifications
“Credentials” are qualities that make a person suitable for a job or task. It is closest in meaning to "qualifications." To provide further help, “misdemeanors” are petty crimes, bad behavior; “prospects” are opportunities; “requirements” are things that are needed; “excessive” means too much.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
AUDIBLE
Able to be felt
None of these answers
Able to be tasted
Able to be seen
Able to be heard
Able to be heard
Something that is "audible" is able to be heard. The prefix, aud-, generally refers to sound or hearing, as in audible or audio.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NEBULOUS
Dusty
Hazy
Definite
Alien
Astronomical
Hazy
"Nebulous" means hazy or indistinct, so "hazy" is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.
VOCIFEROUS
Noisy
Quiet
Vapid
Soft
Enlighten
Noisy
"Vociferous" is a synonym of noisy. It has the root "voc-" in it, which means voice and is found in words like vocal and advocate.
Words you may not know:
- "Enlighten" means to make aware or to inform.
- "Vapid" means lacking life or substance.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SANCTIMONIOUS
Self-centered
Self-obsessed
Self-righteous
Parsimonious
Pious
Self-righteous
Sanctimonious means self-righteous, or assured of one’s own superiority. So, "self-righteous" is the correct answer. Someone who is "self-centered" is very selfish, "pious" means religious, and "parismonious" means stingy.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
