SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MALEVOLENT
dormant
desirable
pious
wicked
righteous
wicked
"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
Farming
Agreement
Explanation
Opportunity
Observation
Farming
"Agriculture" means farming.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Numerous
Scarce
None
Many
Fluid
Few
Many
"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
Curse
Disparagement
Blessing
Degradation
Malediction
Blessing
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
Affable
Serene
Militant
Tranquil
Amenable
Militant
"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
Join
Shrink
Oppose
Enter
Fall
Join
“Coalesce” means come together. It is helpful to remember that the prefix "co-" often means together or joined as in "cooperation" or "cofounded."
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
OMNIVOROUS
All-encompassing
All-knowing
All-fearing
All-seeing
All-eating
All-eating
An animal which is “omnivorous” is an animal that eats both other animals and plants. To help, "omni-" usually means all when it is used as a prefix. From this, we can tell that “omnivorous” means all-eating or all-devouring. "Encompassing” means including or covering, so it is wrong. If you are all-knowing you are said to be “omniscient.”
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DIALECT
Conversation
Lesson
Speech
Word
Idiom
Idiom
A “dialect” is non standard speech or speech that is specific to a region. People from New York and Kentucky may speak different “dialects.” A similar word to “dialect,” is “idiom” which refers to words and phrases informally used in particular places. Try not to mistake “dialect” for “dialogue,” which means a conversation between two or more people. Remember that the prefix "dia-" generally means across and that "lect," whether used as a prefix or suffix, refers to “speech,” such as in the word "lecture."
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SYNONYMOUS
Loud
Somber
Interesting
Equivalent
Different
Equivalent
"Synonymous" means expressing or implying the same idea; having the character of a synonym. "Equivalent" is the best answer choice, as it means equal or the same.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
LUMINOUS
Affable
Bright
Lethargic
Dull
Enraged
Bright
The best answer choice is "bright." The definition of "luminous" is radiating or reflecting light. This can be derived from the definition of "illuminate," which means to brighten or light up.
All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
