SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Using Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #753 : Synonyms

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

FOREMOST

Possible Answers:

Vast 

Secondary 

Lasting 

Genuine 

Primary 

Correct answer:

Primary 

Explanation:

The prefix "fore-" means before or coming first, so “foremost” means "primary," or first in order or importance. To provide further help, “secondary” means coming second in an order or of less importance than other things. Additionally, “vast” means very large; “genuine” means real; and “lasting” means existing for a long time.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTACT

Possible Answers:

Undamaged

Soggy 

Intense

Ripped 

Burdened 

Correct answer:

Undamaged

Explanation:

The suffix "-tact" means related to touch, so something that is “intact” is something that has not been broken by people touching it. This is most similar in meaning to the word “undamaged,” where “damaged” means defaced or wrecked and the prefix "un-" means not, causing “undamaged” to mean not defaced or wrecked; in the same condition something was in before an event that could have potentially damaged it. To provide further help, “ripped” means torn; "intense" means of great power or degree, and “soggy” means damp or wet; and “burdened” means weighed down with things or responsibilities

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

A synonym of "inconsiderate" is . . .

Possible Answers:

polite

abismal

unusual

rude

unsure

Correct answer:

rude

Explanation:

"Inconsiderate" is an adjective that means "thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "thoughtlessly hurting or inconveniencing others." While both "unusual" and "unsure" begin with "un-," a negative prefix, just as "inconsiderate" begin with "in-," another negative prefix, "unusual" means "not usual" and "unsure" means "not sure," whereas "inconsiderate" means "not considerate." So, because neither "unusual" nor "unsure" mean the same thing as "inconsiderate," neither can be the correct answer. "Rude," however, is an adjective that means "offensively impolite or ill-mannered," and because "rude" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inconsiderate," "rude" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

OMNISCIENT

Possible Answers:

All-knowing 

All-powerful

All-feeling

Disasterous

Prudent

Correct answer:

All-knowing 

Explanation:

Someone who is "omniscient" knows everything. So, the correct answer is “all-knowing.” The prefix "omni-" means everything or all. To help you, "omnipotent" means all-powerful.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DESTITUTE

Possible Answers:

Fate

Willpower 

Polished 

Impoverished 

Generational 

Correct answer:

Impoverished 

Explanation:

The word “destitute” is related to the root word "stature." Your “stature” is your social standing. If you add the negative prefix “de-,” it means the removal of your social position. So “destitute” means extremely poor. Another word that means extremely poor is “impoverished.” To further help you, “generational” means relating to a group of people born at the same time. We can say that taste in music is "generational."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

DESPAIR

Possible Answers:

Jubilation 

Denigrate 

Disadvantage

Ironic 

Anguish 

Correct answer:

Anguish 

Explanation:

“Despair” means great suffering or sadness, which is similar in meaning to "anguish." The prefix "de-" is often used to mean down, going away, such as in “descend,” which means dropping down or “despair,” which means going down into the pits of sadness. To provide further help, “jubilation” means great happiness; “denigrate” means put down, make someone feel worse; “disadvantage” means difficulty, shortcoming; “ironic” means not serious, intended to mock something

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SYNCHRONIZE

Possible Answers:

Assailable 

Debacle 

Catastrophe

Detract

Coordinate 

Correct answer:

Coordinate 

Explanation:

The prefix "sync-" means to act together, to be unified. When we “synchronize” we make things work at or on the same time. For instance, we could synchronize our watches so that the time on them reads the same. This is closest in meaning to “coordinate.” The prefix "co-" is used similarly to the prefix "sync-." To provide further help, “detract” means take away from something; “debacle” means catastrophe, something that has gone horribly wrong; “assailable” means able to be attacked or conquered.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ACCURATE

Possible Answers:

Sporadic 

Benevolent

Precise 

Malevolent 

Incumbent 

Correct answer:

Precise 

Explanation:

The prefix "ac-" means sharp and is used in words like “acute,” which can be used to describe a sharp mind. The word “accurate” means sharp as in correct, on the money, precise. When you fire a shot and it goes exactly where you want, we call this “precise” or “accurate.” To provide further help, “incumbent” means person already in a position of power; “sporadic” means random, infrequent; “benevolent” means good-natured; “malevolent” means bad-natured.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

COMBINE

Possible Answers:

Outline 

Access

Merge 

Fight 

Retort 

Correct answer:

Merge 

Explanation:

The prefix "com-" means with or together. Thus, it makes sense that the word “combine” means merge together. So, the correct answer is "merge," because "merge" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "combine." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "combine": “access,” when used as a verb, means be able to use; “retort” means answer back in an argument, often in an incisive or angry way; and “outline” means sketch or draw up a plan for something; and "fight," when used as a verb, means get into a physically violent dispute with.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PERCEIVE

Possible Answers:

Notice

Consider

Seclude

Justify

Amplify

Correct answer:

Notice

Explanation:

The prefix "per-" means through, and the word “perceive” means become aware of something or notice something through sight. This means that the correct answer is “notice.” None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "perceive": “seclude” means make a person or oneself be apart from others; “justify” means give logical reasons for; “amplify” means increase or intensify; and “consider” means carefully think about.

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