All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
A synonym of “insignificant” is __________.
young
unworthy
palpable
petty
noteworthy
petty
“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
Jocular
Aggressive
Apathetic
Careless
Belligerent
Apathetic
"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
Tedious
Mandatory
Brief
Dry
Underwater
Underwater
"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
Everywhere
Scarce
Urbane
At once
Present
Everywhere
"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 __________.
voracious
particular
minced
affable
hostile
affable
"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 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Incompetent
Formal
Fortunate
Vast
Unskilled
Deft
Unskilled
"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
Obscure
Relevant
Cautious
Sane
Tolerable
Cautious
"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
Happy
Essential
Fundamental
Extra
Fey
Extra
"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 basic, important, or essential, and "fey" means supernatural or mystical.
Example Question #18 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
A synonym of "superfluous" is __________.
mean
great
redundant
perceptive
essential
redundant
"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
Enormous
Boring
Fresh
Successful
Exciting
Boring
"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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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
