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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Tedious

Reticent

Repulsive

Humble

Appropriate

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 #2 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Very large 

Timid 

Grandiose 

Ostentatious 

Very small

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 #2 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INNOVATIVE

Possible Answers:

New

Incomplete

Mobile

Worn

Traditional

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 #1268 : Synonyms

Synonyms

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

INNOCUOUS

Possible Answers:

harmless

under the skin

off-kilter

proper

antagonistic

Correct answer:

harmless

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless.

Example Question #101 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

dormant 

righteous 

pious 

wicked 

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 #11 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

Agriculture

Possible Answers:

Explanation

Opportunity

Farming

Observation

Agreement

Correct answer:

Farming

Explanation:

"Agriculture" means farming.

Example Question #2053 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

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

Numerous

Possible Answers:

Fluid

Few

None

Many

Scarce

Correct answer:

Many

Explanation:

"Numerous" means many, or a lot of.

Example Question #102 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Disparagement

Curse

Degradation

Malediction

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 #103 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify 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 #104 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

Shrink

Enter

Join

Oppose

Fall

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."

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