SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Analogies: Roots from Latin
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Malefactor is to benefactor as dysphoria is to __________.
euphoria
dysfunction
moody
disjunction
philantrhopist
"Mal-" and "bene-" are the Latin roots for "bad" and good;" a malefactor is one who does something bad, and a benefactor is one who does something good. Similarly, "dys-" and "eu-" are the Greek roots that mean "bad" and "good;" dysphoria is a bad mood or feeling, and euphoria is a good mood or feeling.
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Super is to sub as hyper is to __________.
hypo
active
over
marine
under
"Super-" and "sub-" are Latin roots meaning "high/above" or "low/below," respectively. The Greek roots with the same meanings are "hyper-" and "hypo-."
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Endocrine is to gland as endoscope is to __________.
camera
vision
grand
eyes
exocrine
"Endo-" is a prefix meaning "within" or "inside." The endocrine system involves glands that secrete substances within the body, and an endoscope is a camera that looks within the body.
Complete this analogy.
Misanthropy is to ______________ as misogyny is to women.
human
men
children
elderly
animals
"Misogyny" is the hatred for, or prejudice against, "women." The key root here is -gyn- which means related to women, as in "gynecologist." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is related to the word "misanthropy." In this instance the key root is -anthro- which means mankind, related to "humans." So, "misanthropy" is the hatred of "humans."
Complete this analogy.
Submarine is to water as __________ is to land.
subterranean
submersible
supplicate
supersede
subatomic
In solving this analogy you likely figured out that "submarine" means under water. The prefix sub- means under and the suffix -marine means related to the ocean. You would have likely therefore determined that the correct answer means under ground, underneath the land. To figure out which of these words matches this definition you need to consider roots of words. As mentioned earlier sub- means beneath, below, under, but more usefully the root -terra- means related to the Earth, related to land. So, the correct answer is that "subterranean" means underground, under the land. Additionally, a "submersible" is a vehicle that goes underwater, like a submarine; "supplicate" means entreat, beg for, humbly implore; "supersede" means replace; "subatomic" means smaller than an atom, (of particles) within an atom.
Patriarchal is to matriarchal as feminine is to __________.
masculine
misogynist
feminist
effervescent
woman
Patriarchal describes a society or group of people ruled by men. Matriarchal describes a society or group of people ruled by women. To solve this analogy you have to identify which of the answer choices is the male form of feminine. This should lead you to the correct answer, "masculine." For clarification, misogynist describes hateful behavior exhibited towards women; effervescent means vivacious or lively.
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Pentathlon is to triathlon as quintuplet is to __________.
triplet
decathlon
quaternary
sextant
octopus
"Penta-" is a root meaning "five," and "tri-" is a root meaning three. A pentathlon is an athletic competition with five events, and a triathlon is one with three events. A quintuplet is a set of five, and a triplet is set of three.
Complete this analogy.
Confidante is to trust as orator is to __________.
listen
speak
argue
accept
arrest
To solve this analogy, you need to rely on your knowledge of Latin roots. The root "-fid-" that appears in words like "fidelity," "confide," and "faith" means trust or believe. So, a "confidante" is someone one trusts with one's secrets. If one "trusts" a "confidante," what does one do to an "orator"? Well, an "orator" is a public speaker, so one would "listen" to an orator.
Complete this analogy.
Suicide is to self as fratricide is to __________.
brother
mother
friend
child
teacher
To solve this analogy you need to rely on your knowledge of Latin roots. The prefix sui- means self and the suffix -cide means kill, so "suicide" is to kill oneself. Additionally, the prefix frat- means brother, as in "fraternity." So, "fratricide" is killing one's brother.
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Father is to patronymic as mother is to __________.
maiden
son
family
daughter
name
A patronymic is a name that comes from or belongs to your father ("pater" = father and "nym" = name). A name that comes from your mother is her maiden name.