SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Prefixes from Greek

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Orthodox is to heterodox as dormant is to __________

Possible Answers:

Devout 

Quiescent

Active 

Latent 

Pious 

Correct answer:

Active 

Explanation:

The root "dox" means related to established thought or opinion, and the root "ortho" means straight or correct, so someone who is “orthodox” accepts traditions or the established account of things. On the other hand, the prefix "hetero" means other or different, so someone who is “heterodox” challenges traditions and accepts other accounts of things besides the established one. The two words are opposites of another, so to solve this analogy, you have to figure out the best antonym for “dormant.” “Dormant” means hidden, asleep or inactive, so the best antonym is “active.” To provide further help, “latent” means hidden and “quiescent” means dormant, while “pious” and “devout” both describe someone who is deeply religious.

Example Question #3 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Polychromatic is to monochromatic as ___________.

Possible Answers:

prince is to king

lungs are to breathing

actor is to emoting

ascending is to descending

forgetful is to misplace

Correct answer:

ascending is to descending

Explanation:

"Polychromatic" means having many different colors, while the term "monochromatic" means having only one color or shades of white, grey, and black. You can infer these definitions because of the words' prefixes and root: "poly-" means many, "mono-" means one, and the root "chrom" means having to do with color; it is derived from the Greek word chroma, which means "color." So, "polychromatic" and "monochromatic" are antonyms, or opposites, and to solve the analogy, you need to pick out the answer choice which consists of antonyms. "Ascending" means going or rising up, whereas "descending" means going or sinking down, so just as "polychromatic" and "monochromatic" are opposites, so are "ascending" and "descending," making "ascending is to descending" the correct answer.

 

Example Question #4 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Phobophobia is to fear as androphobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

technology

machines

men

ghosts

women

Correct answer:

men

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phobia immediately tells you that you are dealing with a fear. So, "anglophobia" is fear of the English. "Phobophobia" is therefore fear of fear itself. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "androphobia" is the fear of. To do this you need to consider the meaning of the Greek prefix andro- which means man. So, "androphobia" is fear of man, fear of men.

Example Question #3 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Ornithophobia is to birds as xenophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

death

heights

foreigners

darkness

silence

Correct answer:

foreigners

Explanation:

The prefix ornith- means birds, so "ornithophobia" means fear of birds. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "xenophobia" is the fear of. To do this you will need to rely on your knowledge of Greek prefixes. The prefix xen- means foreign, so "xenophobia" is fear of foreigners.

Example Question #4 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Bibliophile is to book as cinephile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

band

lesson

computer

movie

song

Correct answer:

movie

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phile means lover of. So, an "anglophile" is a lover of English things. A "bibliophile" is a lover of Books. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "cinephile" is a lover of. The correct answer is "movies." The Greek prefix cine-/kine- means related to movement, motion, as in "kinetic" and "cinema."

Example Question #5 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Paedophobia is to children as photophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

phones

angels

light

movies

pictures

Correct answer:

light

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phobia means fear of. Also, the prefix paed- means children, as in "pediatrician" (children's doctor). So, "paedophobia" is fear of children. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "photophobia" is the fear of. Well, the prefix photo- means light, so "photophobia" is the fear of light.

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