SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BENEVOLENCE

Possible Answers:

Evil 

Malevolence 

Goodness 

Vice 

Desire 

Correct answer:

Goodness 

Explanation:

"Benevolence" means goodness; someone who is benevolent is virtuous. For clarification, "malevolence" is the antonym of benevolence and means evil or vice.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CREDENTIALS

Possible Answers:

Qualifications

Prospects 

Excessive

Requirements 

Misdemeanors 

Correct answer:

Qualifications

Explanation:

“Credentials” are qualities that make a person suitable for a job or task. It is closest in meaning to "qualifications." To provide further help, “misdemeanors” are petty crimes, bad behavior; “prospects” are opportunities; “requirements” are things that are needed; “excessive” means too much

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots

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

AUDIBLE

Possible Answers:

Able to be tasted 

Able to be heard 

None of these answers 

Able to be felt 

Able to be seen 

Correct answer:

Able to be heard 

Explanation:

Something that is "audible" is able to be heard. The prefix, aud-, generally refers to sound or hearing, as in audible or audio.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

NEBULOUS

Possible Answers:

Dusty

Alien

Astronomical

Hazy

Definite

Correct answer:

Hazy

Explanation:

"Nebulous" means hazy or indistinct, so "hazy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Roots

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

VOCIFEROUS

Possible Answers:

Enlighten

Soft

Noisy

Quiet

Vapid

Correct answer:

Noisy

Explanation:

"Vociferous" is a synonym of noisy. It has the root "voc-" in it, which means voice and is found in words like vocal and advocate.

Words you may not know:

  • "Enlighten" means to make aware or to inform.
  • "Vapid" means lacking life or substance.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Roots

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

SANCTIMONIOUS

Possible Answers:

Self-centered

Self-obsessed 

Parsimonious

Self-righteous 

Pious 

Correct answer:

Self-righteous 

Explanation:

Sanctimonious means self-righteous, or assured of one’s own superiority. So, "self-righteous" is the correct answer. Someone who is "self-centered" is very selfish, "pious" means religious, and "parismonious" means stingy.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Appropriate

Tedious

Humble

Reticent

Repulsive

Correct answer:

Reticent

Explanation:

"Taciturn" most nearly means not saying much, or "reticent." One might write, "The taciturn man listened to the conversation, but didn't volunteer his own opinion."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious 

Very large 

Grandiose 

Timid 

Very small

Correct answer:

Very small

Explanation:

"Miniscule" means tiny. For clarification, "grandiose" and "ostentatious" are synonyms that both mean very large and luxurious; "timid" means very shy.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INNOVATIVE

Possible Answers:

Traditional

Mobile

Worn

Incomplete

New

Correct answer:

New

Explanation:

"Innovative" is an adjective that means original and unprecedented. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "new."

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Roots

Synonyms

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

INNOCUOUS

Possible Answers:

off-kilter

under the skin

harmless

proper

antagonistic

Correct answer:

harmless

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless.

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