All SSAT Elementary Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISTAKE
Error
Detraction
Mystery
Detail
Solution
Error
The prefix "mis-" means not, wrong, or bad, and the word “mistake” means something done wrong, or an "error." To provide further help, a “solution” is an idea about how to fix a problem; a "detraction" is something that takes away from a positive state of something else; a "mystery" is a situation in which something is unknown or a book, movie, or play involving the solving of a crime that is difficult to understand; and a "detail" is a specific aspect of something.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFUNCT
Passive
Broken
Tiresome
Brief
Penniless
Broken
“Defunct” means no longer working or in existence. As such, it is most similar to the word “unusable," which means not able to be used. In this word, the negative prefix "un-" means not and makes "unusable" mean the opposite of "usable." To provide further help, “penniless” means completely poor and without possessions; “tiresome” means boring; “passive” means not fighting, peaceful, or not aggressive; and “brief" means lasting for a short time or concise.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL
Foreigner
Extraordinary
Alien
Citizen
Ordinary
Alien
"Extraterrestrial" means alien when used as an adjective, and an "extraterrestrial" is is an alien. So, "alien" is the correct answer. To help you understand the formation of words, consider that "terrestrial" means from the earth and in this context, the prefix "extra-" means something other than. So an extraterrestrial is something from somewhere other than the earth. To help you further, "extraordinary" means something other than ordinary, "ordinary" means normal, a "foreigner" is someone from another country, and a "citizen" is a member of a nation.
Example Question #721 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
HYPERSENSITIVE
Quite sensitive
Senseless
Pertaining to the senses
Overly sensitive
Insensitive
Overly sensitive
If you are “hypersensitive” you are overly sensitive to things. For example, you may easily have your feelings hurt. The prefix "hyper-" usually means overly.
Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SURPASS
Throw
Recede
Motorway
High
Exceed
Exceed
To “surpass” is to go beyond or to become better than someone or something. “Exceed” also means to go beyond the limit of something or to become better than someone or something. Look for prefixes like "sur-" and "ex-" where "sur-" can mean above and "ex-" can mean out of. To further help you, “recede” means to go back, so you can say waves “recede” on the shore.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
UNACCEPTABLE
Intolerable
Domesticity
Unmitigated
Meticulous
Incomprehensible
Intolerable
The prefix "un-" is a negation prefix and usually means not, so the word “unacceptable” means not acceptable. Of the answer choices, this is closest in meaning to “intolerable,” which means not tolerable. The prefix "in-" is used very much like the prefix "un-." To provide further help, “unmitigated” means not mitigated, pure; “domesticity” is life inside the home; “meticulous” means careful, paying great attention to detail; “incomprehensible” means not able to be understood.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
UNDERAGE
Genius
Vendor
Immature
Expert
Novice
Immature
The prefix "under-" means beneath or below, so the word “underage” means below age, immature. To provide further help, a “novice” is a beginner and an “expert” is someone who has been doing something for a long time and is very good at it; a “vendor” is someone who sells things; a “genius” is someone who is very smart.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
DISMOUNT
Get down
Get lost
Get wet
Get up
Get lost
Get down
“Dismount” means to get down. It is commonly used when speaking about “dismounting" from horses, as in to get off your mount. The prefix "dis-" is a negation prefix and the suffix "-mount" refers to something you sit on.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SEMICIRCLE
Half circle
Sphere
Slope
Gradient
Parallel
Half circle
The prefix "semi-" usually means half, so we can assume that a “semicircle” is half a circle. To provide further help, a three-dimensional circle is called a “sphere;” “parallel” means running alongside, having the same slope; “slope” means slanted ground; “gradient” means slope. In addition to being terms we use in English, these are also all mathematical terms.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
UNDERDEVELOPED
Not fully grown
Unclear
Beneath the sky
Beneath the ocean
Beneath the ground
Not fully grown
The prefix "under-" means below or beneath, so the word “underdeveloped” means not grown enough, not developed enough. To provide further help, “developed” means grown; “beneath” means under.
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All SSAT Elementary Level Verbal Resources
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