SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1181 : Synonyms

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

IGNOBLE

Possible Answers:

Proud 

Harangue 

Rebuke 

Haughty 

Shameful 

Correct answer:

Shameful 

Explanation:

"Ignoble" means not noble or shameful, as you might be able to infer from the word's use of the negative prefix "ig-," which means not, and is found in other words like "ignorant," which comes from the Latin word for not knowing. So, "shameful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "haughty" means proud and arrogant, "harangue" means criticize or a criticizing speech, "rebuke" means scold or tell off, or a criticism.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes

A synonym of “deflate” is __________.

Possible Answers:

inspire

dispirit

maneuver

risk

facilitate

Correct answer:

dispirit

Explanation:

“Deflate” is a verb that can mean “let air or gas out of something,” “be emptied of air or gas,” or “cause someone to suddenly lose confidence,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “let air or gas out of something,” “be emptied or air or gas,” or “cause someone to lose confidence.” That means that “inspire” cannot be the correct answer, because “inspire” means “fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “deflate.” “Dispirit,” however, is a verb that means “to cause to lose enthusiasm or hope,” and because “dispirit” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “deflate,” “dispirit” is the correct answer.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

Decode

Possible Answers:

to translate

to hide

to defend

to secure

to infer

Correct answer:

to translate

Explanation:

"Decode" means to translate; to hide means to move away from the open; to secure means to get possession of; to defend means to protect; and to infer means to imply.

Example Question #24 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Disregard

Possible Answers:

to accept

to change

to ignore

to adopt

to consider

Correct answer:

to ignore

Explanation:

"Disregard" means to ignore.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Ban

Corroborate

Say

Captivate

Oppose

Correct answer:

Oppose

Explanation:

"Contradict" means to oppose or to assert the contrary. It contains the roots "contra-", which means "against," and "dict-", which means to speak.

Words you may not know:

  • "Corroborate" means to make certian; confirm.
  • "Captivate" means to catch the attention of.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

SUPERVISE

Possible Answers:

Strengthen

Fantasize

Discuss

Contemplate

Oversee

Correct answer:

Oversee

Explanation:

"Supervise" means oversee, watch over or direct an event or activity, so "oversee," which means manage or direct, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "supervise" and "oversee": "strenghen" means make something or someone stronger or sturdier; "discuss" means talk about an issue or topic with other people; "fantasize" means dream about or imagine; and "contemplate" means think about for a period of time.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CONCUR

Possible Answers:

Comprehend

Evaluate

Fail

Suffer

Agree

Correct answer:

Agree

Explanation:

"Concur" means to agree or to share the same opinion or viewpoint with another person, so "agree" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "concur" and "agree": "comprehend" means understand; "evaluate" means assess or judge something; "suffer" means feel or experience pain; and "fail" means be unable to complete a task or goal.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

ELONGATE

Possible Answers:

Weaken 

Divide

Lengthen 

Shorten 

Strengthen 

Correct answer:

Lengthen 

Explanation:

"Elongate" means to lengthen or to make something longer. You may have been able to guess this answer even if you did not know the meaning of the word because of the inclusion of the word “long” within "elongate." 

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

DECOMPOSE

Possible Answers:

Rot 

Remiss

Fey 

Allow

Improve 

Correct answer:

Rot 

Explanation:

"Decompose" means to break down or to rot. For clarification, "remiss" means careless or neglectful, "fey" means supernatural, "allow" means permit, and "improve" means to make (something) better.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

RECEDE

Possible Answers:

Thesis 

Withdraw 

Portray 

Era

Outline 

Correct answer:

Withdraw 

Explanation:

"Recede" means to pull back or to withdraw, so "withdraw" is the correct answer. For clarification, "portray" means to depict, and an "era" is a period of history.

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