All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #148 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIFFUSE
Dissimilar
Disagreeable
Scattered
Irregular
Variant
Scattered
The word “diffuse” comes from roots that literally mean poured away from. The “di-” prefix means away from or down from, and the “-fuse” means to pour. This latter is found in words like “infuse” (meaning, literally, to pour into) and “effusive” (meaning pouring out, implying that someone “pours out” a great amount of something like praise). As a verb, the word “diffuse” means to scatter or to spread out, as when one diffuses a smell into a room or when an idea diffuses through an entire population. The word can likewise be used as an adjective, basically having the meaning of the past participle of the word, namely “scattered.”
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECLUDE
Cooperate
Pester
Attend
Scan
Stop
Stop
To "preclude" something is to stop it from happening. The prefix "pre-" means before, and the root word, "clud," means to close or to shut.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EQUIVOCAL
Fair
Necessary
Adorned
Ambiguous
Nauseous
Ambiguous
"Equivocal" means ambiguous or allowing the possibility of different meanings. The prefix "equi-" means equal.
Example Question #2201 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMMOBILE
Swollen
Precise
Loud
Motionless
Destined
Motionless
"Immobile" means incapable of moving or being moved. The root word "mob" means move. The prefix, "im-," means not or without. Thus, the best answer choice is "motionless."
Example Question #2202 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INDEFATIGABLE
Versatile
Tireless
Courageous
Misguided
Explanatory
Tireless
"Indefatigable" means unable to be tired out. The best choice is "tireless." The prefix "in-" means not, and the Latin root word, "fatigare," means to tire. "Fatigare" is also the root for the word fatigue.
Example Question #2203 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPARAGE
Belittle
Emerge
Hound
Ingest
Avenge
Belittle
To "disparage" is to belittle. The root word, "parage," means equality, and the prefix, "dis-," means not.
Example Question #2204 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROVENANCE
Origin
Blockage
Style
Language
Participation
Origin
"Provenance" means origin. The root word, "ven," means come, and the prefix "pro-" means for or forward.
Example Question #2205 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPPROBRIUM
Revelry
Disgrace
Pleasantry
Corrosion
Circus
Disgrace
"Opprobrium" means disgrace from shameful conduct. The Latin root word, "probum," means a shameful act. The prefix, "ob-," means against.
Example Question #2206 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERVIOUS
Smooth
Mobile
Impenetrable
Porous
Stationary
Impenetrable
"Impervious" means impenetrable.
Example Question #2207 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IGNOMINY
Support
Pet
Dishonor
Perfection
Accident
Dishonor
"Ignominy" means dishonor or disgrace. The root word, "nom," means name. The prefix, "ig-," means without or not.
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