SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ELONGATE
Lengthen
Shorten
Strengthen
Weaken
Divide
"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."
A synonym of "convivial" is __________.
affable
hostile
voracious
minced
particular
"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.
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
CONTORT
Twist
Construct
Increase
Conversate
Befriend
"Twist" is the best answer choice. "Contort" means to twist, bend, or draw out of shape.
A synonym of "superfluous" is __________.
redundant
essential
perceptive
great
mean
"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.
A synonym of “insignificant” is __________.
petty
noteworthy
palpable
unworthy
young
“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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IGNOBLE
Dishonorable
Parsimonious
Ostentatious
Venerable
Outlandish
The prefix "ig_-_" is a negative prefix; this means it takes the original meaning of the word and causes it to mean the opposite. So, whereas “noble” means honorable, “ignoble” means not honorable, or "dishonorable." ("Dis-" is also a negative prefix having the same effect on the adjective "honorable.") To provide further help, “parsimonious” means not generous with money; “ostentatious” means pretentious and fancy; “outlandish” means bizarre or weird; and “venerable” means old and well-respected.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONCUR
Agree
Comprehend
Evaluate
Suffer
Fail
"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.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUPERVISE
Oversee
Strengthen
Discuss
Fantasize
Contemplate
"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.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RETROSPECT
Hindsight
Evanescent
Prosperous
Optimism
Exuberant
"Retrospect" means recollection, remembering past events, hindsight. You might be able to infer this meaning from the word's roots; "retro-" means backwards, as in the word "retroactive" (applying to a span of time in the past) and "spect"means look or see, as in the word "spectacles" (glasses). So, "hindsight" is the correct answer. For clarification, "optimism" is a positive feeling about future events, "prosperous" means wealthy or successful, "exuberant" means lively, and "evanescent" means fleeting.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INDIFFERENT
Apathetic
Careless
Jocular
Aggressive
Belligerent
"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.