SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Appropriate

Reticent

Humble

Tedious

Repulsive

Correct answer:

Reticent

Explanation:

"Taciturn" most nearly means not saying much, or "reticent." One might write, "The taciturn man listened to the conversation, but didn't volunteer his own opinion."

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Timid 

Grandiose 

Very large 

Very small

Ostentatious 

Correct answer:

Very small

Explanation:

"Miniscule" means tiny. For clarification, "grandiose" and "ostentatious" are synonyms that both mean very large and luxurious; "timid" means very shy.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

INNOVATIVE

Possible Answers:

Mobile

Incomplete

Worn

Traditional

New

Correct answer:

New

Explanation:

"Innovative" is an adjective that means original and unprecedented. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "new."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

Synonyms

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

INNOCUOUS

Possible Answers:

off-kilter

antagonistic

under the skin

harmless

proper

Correct answer:

harmless

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

pious 

wicked 

desirable

righteous 

dormant 

Correct answer:

wicked 

Explanation:

"Malevolent" means wicked or evil; it is the antonym of benevolent. For clarification, "pious" means deeply religious; "dormant" means asleep or in a state of inactivity.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots

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

Agriculture

Possible Answers:

Explanation

Farming

Observation

Agreement

Opportunity

Correct answer:

Farming

Explanation:

"Agriculture" means farming.

Example Question #103 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

Numerous

Possible Answers:

None

Scarce

Fluid

Many

Few

Correct answer:

Many

Explanation:

"Numerous" means many, or a lot of.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Disparagement

Blessing

Curse

Degradation

Malediction

Correct answer:

Blessing

Explanation:

The Latin root "bene" means good. If you know that, then you should be able to figure out that "blessing" and "benediction" are synonyms. The Latin root "mal" means bad, and "malediction" and "curse" are synonyms. "Disparagement" and "degradation" are synonyms that each mean abasement.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Tranquil

Serene

Affable

Amenable 

Militant

Correct answer:

Militant

Explanation:

"Bellicose" means eager to fight. "Amenable" and "affable" mean agreeable and likable, respectively. You can eliminate them because they have such similar meanings. "Tranquil" and "serene" both mean peaceful, so you can eliminate them. Or, if you know that the Latin root "belli-" means war, you may be able to figure out that "bellicose" means war-like. "Militant" means aggressive, therefore it has the closest meaning to "bellicose."

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Roots

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

Fall

Enter

Join

Shrink

Oppose

Correct answer:

Join

Explanation:

“Coalesce” means come together. It is helpful to remember that the prefix "co-" often means together or joined as in "cooperation" or "cofounded."

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