Analogies: Prefixes

Help Questions

SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Analogies: Prefixes

Questions 1 - 10
1

Complete this analogy.

Ichthyology is to fish as ecclesiology is to __________.

churches

birds

skyscrapers

architecture

reptiles

Explanation

To solve this analogy you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek roots. To begin with the prefix ichthy- means fish, so "ichthyology" is the study of fish. So, what is "ecclesiology" the study of? The Greek prefix ecclesi- means congregation, church. So, "ecclesiology" is the study of churches.

2

Complete this analogy.

Septuagenarian is to __________ as octogenarian is to eighty.

seventy

sixty

fifty

forty

ninety

Explanation

The key to solving this analogy is to know that the prefix sept- means seven and the prefix oct- means eight. So, a "septuagenarian" is someone who is in their seventies and an "octogenarian" is someone who is in their eighties.

3

Complete this analogy.

Ichthyology is to fish as ecclesiology is to __________.

churches

birds

skyscrapers

architecture

reptiles

Explanation

To solve this analogy you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek roots. To begin with the prefix ichthy- means fish, so "ichthyology" is the study of fish. So, what is "ecclesiology" the study of? The Greek prefix ecclesi- means congregation, church. So, "ecclesiology" is the study of churches.

4

Complete this analogy.

Septuagenarian is to __________ as octogenarian is to eighty.

seventy

sixty

fifty

forty

ninety

Explanation

The key to solving this analogy is to know that the prefix sept- means seven and the prefix oct- means eight. So, a "septuagenarian" is someone who is in their seventies and an "octogenarian" is someone who is in their eighties.

5

Complete this analogy.

Antiquated is to the past as __________ is to the present.

current

mundane

severe

obdurate

youthful

Explanation

The Greek and Latin prefix anti- can mean either opposite, against as in "antisocial" which means not social. Or, anti- can mean old, ancient. In "antiquated" it is used in the latter sense, "antiquated" means very old, outdated, ancient. Something from the past could be described as "antiquated," so which of these is a word that could describe something from the present? The correct answer is "current" which means contemporary, in the present. Additionally, "youthful" means young; "mundane" means ordinary, boring; "severe" means intense, harsh; "obdurate" means stubborn, intractable.

6

Complete this analogy.

Astronomy is to space as geology is to __________.

rocks

life

weather

chemistry

economics

Explanation

The Greek prefix astr- means stars, sun and the Greek root -nom- means arrangement, order, study. So, "astronomy" is literally the arrangement of the stars or the study of outer space. Furthermore, the Greek prefix geo- means Earth, of the Earth and the suffix -ology means study of. So, "geology" is literally the study of the Earth or the study of rocks and rock formations.

7

Complete this analogy.

Antiquated is to the past as __________ is to the present.

current

mundane

severe

obdurate

youthful

Explanation

The Greek and Latin prefix anti- can mean either opposite, against as in "antisocial" which means not social. Or, anti- can mean old, ancient. In "antiquated" it is used in the latter sense, "antiquated" means very old, outdated, ancient. Something from the past could be described as "antiquated," so which of these is a word that could describe something from the present? The correct answer is "current" which means contemporary, in the present. Additionally, "youthful" means young; "mundane" means ordinary, boring; "severe" means intense, harsh; "obdurate" means stubborn, intractable.

8

Complete this analogy.

Astronomy is to space as geology is to __________.

rocks

life

weather

chemistry

economics

Explanation

The Greek prefix astr- means stars, sun and the Greek root -nom- means arrangement, order, study. So, "astronomy" is literally the arrangement of the stars or the study of outer space. Furthermore, the Greek prefix geo- means Earth, of the Earth and the suffix -ology means study of. So, "geology" is literally the study of the Earth or the study of rocks and rock formations.

9

Complete this analogy.

Autonomy is to __________ as theocracy is to God.

self

king

wealthy

workers

chaos

Explanation

The prefix theo- means related to religion or to "God." So, "theocracy" is the rule of a government through "God" or the application of religious laws. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "autonomy" is the rule of. Well, auto- means "self," so "autonomy" is the ability to rule oneself.

10

Complete this analogy.

Autonomy is to __________ as theocracy is to God.

self

king

wealthy

workers

chaos

Explanation

The prefix theo- means related to religion or to "God." So, "theocracy" is the rule of a government through "God" or the application of religious laws. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "autonomy" is the rule of. Well, auto- means "self," so "autonomy" is the ability to rule oneself.

Page 1 of 5
Return to subject