Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

ELONGATE

Lengthen

Shorten

Strengthen

Weaken

Divide

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."

2

A synonym of "convivial" is __________.

affable

hostile

voracious

minced

particular

Explanation

"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.

3

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

CONTORT

Twist

Construct

Increase

Conversate

Befriend

Explanation

"Twist" is the best answer choice. "Contort" means to twist, bend, or draw out of shape.

4

A synonym of "superfluous" is __________.

redundant

essential

perceptive

great

mean

Explanation

"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.

5

A synonym of “insignificant” is __________.

petty

noteworthy

palpable

unworthy

young

Explanation

“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.

6

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

IGNOBLE

Dishonorable

Parsimonious

Ostentatious

Venerable

Outlandish

Explanation

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.

7

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

CONCUR

Agree

Comprehend

Evaluate

Suffer

Fail

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.

8

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

SUPERVISE

Oversee

Strengthen

Discuss

Fantasize

Contemplate

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.

9

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

RETROSPECT

Hindsight

Evanescent

Prosperous

Optimism

Exuberant

Explanation

"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.

10

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

INDIFFERENT

Apathetic

Careless

Jocular

Aggressive

Belligerent

Explanation

"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.

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