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 #1171 : Synonyms

A synonym of “insignificant” is __________.

Possible Answers:

petty

palpable

young

unworthy

noteworthy

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 : 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.

INDIFFERENT

Possible Answers:

Jocular 

Careless 

Apathetic 

Aggressive 

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 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Submerged 

Possible Answers:

Underwater

Mandatory

Dry

Tedious

Brief

Correct answer:

Underwater

Explanation:

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

Example Question #14 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UBIQUITOUS

Possible Answers:

Scarce

At once

Everywhere

Urbane

Present

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 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

A synonym of "convivial" is __________.

Possible Answers:

affable

hostile

particular

minced

voracious

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 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Incompetent

Possible Answers:

Unskilled

Fortunate

Deft

Vast

Formal

Correct answer:

Unskilled

Explanation:

"Incompetent" means unskilled or incapable.

Example Question #16 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CIRCUMSPECT

Possible Answers:

Obscure

Cautious

Relevant

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 : 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.

SUPERFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Fey 

Essential 

Extra

Happy

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 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

A synonym of "superfluous" is __________.

Possible Answers:

redundant

mean

essential

great

perceptive

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 : 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.

MONOTONOUS

Possible Answers:

Fresh

Successful

Enormous

Exciting

Boring

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.

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