All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
A synonym of “insignificant” is __________.
young
palpable
noteworthy
petty
unworthy
petty
“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.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INDIFFERENT
Belligerent
Apathetic
Aggressive
Careless
Jocular
Apathetic
"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.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.
Submerged
Tedious
Dry
Underwater
Mandatory
Brief
Underwater
"Submerged" means underwater; Dry means without water; Brief means temporary; Mandatory means required; and Tedious means boring.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.
UBIQUITOUS
At once
Urbane
Present
Everywhere
Scarce
Everywhere
"Ubiquitous" means existing or being everywhere.
Words you may not know:
- "Scarce" means not abundant.
- "Urbane" means having sophistication or elegance, a quality often associated with cities. The root "urb-" (as in urban) means city.
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
A synonym of "convivial" is __________.
affable
minced
hostile
particular
voracious
affable
"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.
Example Question #16 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Incompetent
Unskilled
Fortunate
Deft
Vast
Formal
Unskilled
"Incompetent" means unskilled or incapable.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CIRCUMSPECT
Cautious
Tolerable
Sane
Obscure
Relevant
Cautious
"Circumspect" is derived from the Latin for to look around, so the best meaning is "cautious," as in, "The administration was very circumspect about the responses they gave to the media's questions."
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUPERFLUOUS
Fundamental
Fey
Extra
Happy
Essential
Extra
"Superfluous" means extra or not required, so "extra" is the correct answer. "Superfluous" is an antonym of "essential," which means necessary or required. For clarification, "fundamental" means basic, important, or essential, and "fey" means supernatural or mystical.
Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
A synonym of "superfluous" is __________.
perceptive
mean
great
essential
redundant
redundant
"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.
Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MONOTONOUS
Exciting
Fresh
Successful
Boring
Enormous
Boring
"Monotonous" means boring or dull. "Fresh" means new or recent. "Exciting" means causing interest or excitement. "Enormous" means extremely big. "Successful" means triumphant or accomplishing a goal.
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
