SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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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

Possible Answers:

Error 

Mystery

Detraction

Detail

Solution 

Correct answer:

Error 

Explanation:

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 #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DEFUNCT

Possible Answers:

Passive 

Broken

Brief

Tiresome 

Penniless

Correct answer:

Broken

Explanation:

“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 #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

EXTRATERRESTRIAL

Possible Answers:

Alien

Ordinary 

Citizen 

Extraordinary 

Foreigner 

Correct answer:

Alien

Explanation:

"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 #3 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

HYPERSENSITIVE

Possible Answers:

Insensitive

Quite sensitive

Overly sensitive

Pertaining to the senses

Senseless

Correct answer:

Overly sensitive

Explanation:

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 #4 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

SURPASS

Possible Answers:

Exceed

Throw 

Motorway 

Recede

High 

Correct answer:

Exceed

Explanation:

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 #5 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UNACCEPTABLE

Possible Answers:

Meticulous 

Domesticity 

Unmitigated 

Incomprehensible 

Intolerable 

Correct answer:

Intolerable 

Explanation:

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 #6 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UNDERAGE

Possible Answers:

Immature 

Expert 

Genius 

Novice 

Vendor

Correct answer:

Immature 

Explanation:

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 #7 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Get lost

Get wet 

Get down 

Get up 

Get lost 

Correct answer:

Get down 

Explanation:

“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 #8 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

SEMICIRCLE

Possible Answers:

Slope 

Gradient 

Sphere 

Half circle 

Parallel 

Correct answer:

Half circle 

Explanation:

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 #9 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UNDERDEVELOPED

Possible Answers:

Not fully grown 

Unclear

Beneath the sky 

Beneath the ground 

Beneath the ocean 

Correct answer:

Not fully grown 

Explanation:

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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