SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Appropriate

Reticent

Tedious

Repulsive

Humble

Correct answer:

Reticent

Explanation:

"Taciturn" most nearly means not saying much, or "reticent." One might write, "The taciturn man listened to the conversation, but didn't volunteer his own opinion."

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious 

Very large 

Very small

Grandiose 

Timid 

Correct answer:

Very small

Explanation:

"Miniscule" means tiny. For clarification, "grandiose" and "ostentatious" are synonyms that both mean very large and luxurious; "timid" means very shy.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INNOVATIVE

Possible Answers:

Mobile

Worn

Traditional

New

Incomplete

Correct answer:

New

Explanation:

"Innovative" is an adjective that means original and unprecedented. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "new."

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

Synonyms

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

INNOCUOUS

Possible Answers:

under the skin

antagonistic

off-kilter

harmless

proper

Correct answer:

harmless

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless.

Example Question #1271 : Synonyms

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

wicked 

pious 

dormant 

righteous 

desirable

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 #1272 : Synonyms

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Curse

Malediction

Degradation

Disparagement

Blessing

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 #1273 : Synonyms

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Affable

Serene

Tranquil

Amenable 

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 #1274 : Synonyms

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

Fall

Shrink

Oppose

Enter

Join

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."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors