SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

AMORAL

Possible Answers:

Unethical

Admirable

Elegant

Flexible

Extravagant

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Amoral" means unethical or not moral.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Gynophobia is to women as heliophobia is to _________.

Possible Answers:

sunlight 

men 

warfare

children 

animals 

Correct answer:

sunlight 

Explanation:

Gynophobia is the fear of women. The prefix gyno- typically suggests a relationship between the word and women. In order to solve this analogy, it is necessary to determine what heliophobia is the fear of. The prefix helio­­- means of or relating to the sun, so the correct answer is “sunlight.”

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Necrophobia is to death as philophobia is to _________.

Possible Answers:

night 

love

sunlight 

children 

friendship

Correct answer:

love

Explanation:

Necrophobia is the fear of death. The prefix necro- generally suggests an association with death. To solve this analogy you have to determine what philophobia is the fear of. The prefix or suffix phil- means of or relating to love, so philophobia is the fear of love.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

MISLEAD

Possible Answers:

Lie

Arrange

Criticize

Adjust

Prepare

Correct answer:

Lie

Explanation:

"Mislead" means to lie.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PEDAGOGY

Possible Answers:

Prodigy

Repellent

Vibration

Teaching

Empire

Correct answer:

Teaching

Explanation:

"Pedagogy" means teaching or the science of teaching. The root word "pedo-" means child. The suffix "-agogy" means to lead. "Teaching" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

LIFELESS

Possible Answers:

Deceased

Insane

Abundant

Adept

Intimidating

Correct answer:

Deceased

Explanation:

"Lifeless" means dead or deceased. "Abundant" means a lot or plentiful. "Intimidating" means causing fear or terror in a person. "Insane" means crazy or mentally ill. "Adept" means very skilled in something.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

SLAVISH. 

Possible Answers:

Haughty 

Significant 

Juxtapose

Mollify 

Servile 

Correct answer:

Servile 

Explanation:

“Slavish” means slave-like, as in slave-ish, and unoriginal or mindless. This is most similar in meaning to servile which means servant-like, obedient. For clarification, haughty means arrogant; mollify means calm; juxtapose mean compare and contrast.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

ABODE

Possible Answers:

Residue

Abolition

Residence

Abound

Above

Correct answer:

Residence

Explanation:

The words "abode" and "residence" are synonymous nouns referring to domiciles. The other words do not have meanings that are well aligned with that of "abode."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

DOMICILE.

Possible Answers:

Work 

Home 

Friend 

Criminal 

Suspect 

Correct answer:

Home 

Explanation:

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated. 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ADUMBRATE

Possible Answers:

Repel

Store

Outline

Mesmerize

Assassinate 

Correct answer:

Outline

Explanation:

To "adumbrate" is to outline, sketch, or give a faint indication of something.  The root "umbra" means shadow. So, "outline" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "adumbrate."

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