Synonyms: Roots

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SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Synonyms: Roots

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

ELUCIDATE

Clarify

Lucid

Intelligent

Learn

Read

Explanation

The word "elucidate" means to clarify or to explain. The best answer choice is "clarify," which means to make clear or to explain. The word "lucid", though related to the verb "elucidate", is not itself a verb. It is an adjective which means clear or easily understood.

2

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

DOMICILE.

Home

Work

Friend

Suspect

Criminal

Explanation

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated.

3

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

COMPLACENT

Smug

Wounded

Surprising

Central

Amphibious

Explanation

"Complacent" means pleased, especially with oneself or one's situation. Thus, the best answer choice is smug. The root word "plac-" means please.

4

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

GRANDILOQUENT

Pretentious

Known

Uniting

Enormous

Concealed

Explanation

"Grandiloquent" means pompous or extravagant in one's speaking. The best answer choice is "pretentious." The Latin root word, "grandis," means great, and the Latin root word, "loqui," means to speak.

5

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

DOMICILE.

Home

Work

Friend

Suspect

Criminal

Explanation

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated.

6

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

GRANDILOQUENT

Pretentious

Known

Uniting

Enormous

Concealed

Explanation

"Grandiloquent" means pompous or extravagant in one's speaking. The best answer choice is "pretentious." The Latin root word, "grandis," means great, and the Latin root word, "loqui," means to speak.

7

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

ELUCIDATE

Clarify

Lucid

Intelligent

Learn

Read

Explanation

The word "elucidate" means to clarify or to explain. The best answer choice is "clarify," which means to make clear or to explain. The word "lucid", though related to the verb "elucidate", is not itself a verb. It is an adjective which means clear or easily understood.

8

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

COMPLACENT

Smug

Wounded

Surprising

Central

Amphibious

Explanation

"Complacent" means pleased, especially with oneself or one's situation. Thus, the best answer choice is smug. The root word "plac-" means please.

9

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

IMPEDE

Block

Clarify

Accompish

Debate

Inspire

Explanation

"Impede" means to block.

10

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

NOVEL

New

Free

Malevolent

Scholarly

Central

Explanation

The root 'nov' means new. Thus, novel means new.

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