Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

Questions 1 - 6
1

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

Primitive

Ancient

Modern

Sophisitcated

Lavish

Advanced

Explanation

"Primitive" means ancient.

2

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

SYNCHRONIZE

Coordinate

Scatter

Time

Dissonance

Consistent

Explanation

"Synchronize" is a synonym of "coordinate." "Synchronize" means to make happen or work at the same rate and contains the prefixes "syn-",which means same; together, and "chrono-", which means time.

3

A synonym of “synthesis” is __________.

fusion

dissociation

annoyance

opinion

signal

Explanation

“Synthesis” is a noun that means “combination or composition,” and in particular, “the combination of ideas to form a theory or system.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “combination.” That means that “dissociation” cannot be the correct answer, because “dissociation” means “the disconnection or separation of something from something else or the state of being disconnected,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “synthesis.” “Amalgamation,” however, means “the action, process, or result of combining or uniting,” and because “amalgamation” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “synthesis,” “amalgamation” is the correct answer.

4

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

AMORPHOUS

Formless

Shapely

Crafty

Pointless

Hopeless

Explanation

"Amorphous" means without shape or form, so the correct answer is “formless.” For clarification, "shapely" means well-proportioned; "crafty" means sly and sneaky.

5

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

ANONYMOUS

Unnamed

Armed

Determined

Crafty

Deceptive

Explanation

"Anonymous" means unnamed or unidentified, so "unnamed" is the correct answer. "Armed" means carrying weapons. "Determined" means intent or set on some course of action. "Crafty" means cunning or tricky. "Deceptive" means misleading or fraudulent.

6

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

CATASTROPHE

Cataclysm

Catalog

Cattle

Categorical

Callous

Explanation

A "cataclysm" or "catastrophe" is a terrible, often naturally occurring, event. These words are synonymous and share a greek prefix. The other words may have similar spellings, but they are not closely related in meaning to catastrophe.

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