SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies: Prefixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.

Unilateral is to side as monorail is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pass

track

line

decision

front

Correct answer:

track

Explanation:

"Uni-" and "mono-" are both prefixes that mean "one" or "single." A unilateral decision is made by only one side of a dispute; a monorail is a train that runs on a single track.

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

The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.

Bicameral is to branches as duet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

trees

music

camels

bicycles

singers

Correct answer:

singers

Explanation:

"Bi-" and "duo-" are prefixes that both mean "two." A bicameral government is one with two branches, and a duet is a musical performance by two singers.

Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes

Theology is to religion as genealogy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

families 

justice 

God 

science 

politics 

Correct answer:

families 

Explanation:

Theology is the study of religion so to solve this analogy you need to determine what genealogy is the study of. The prefix gene- should provide a clue that it likely describes the study of families or family history. The correct answer is therefore families.

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

Cow is to bovine as dog is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cat

feline 

equine 

canine 

lupine 

Correct answer:

canine 

Explanation:

The adjective bovine is used to describe characteristics displayed by or attributed to cows. To solve this analogy you have to identify the adjective used to describe characteristics displayed by or attributed to dogs. This leads to the correct answer which is canine. Cow is to bovine as dog is to canine as cat is to feline, etc.

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

Complete this analogy.

One is to unity as three is to __________.

Possible Answers:

infinity 

triangle 

bipedal 

trisect 

trinity 

Correct answer:

trinity 

Explanation:

Unity means the state or condition of being one or as one so to solve this analogy you have to identify which answer choice means the state or condition of being three parts working together. The prefix tri- usually describes something to do with the number three, such as triangle or tripod. From the suffix -ity in unity you might well have guessed at the correct answer which is “trinity.”

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Misogynist is to women as Luddite is to __________.

Possible Answers:

animals

politics 

technology 

men 

environmentalism

Correct answer:

technology 

Explanation:

Someone who is a misogynist hates women, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what it is that a Luddite dislikes. The Luddites were a nineteenth-century organization in Britain, dedicated to fighting the introduction of life changing technology during the Industrial Revolution; as such, the word has come to be used to describe all disdain for “technology” in the contemporary era. The prefix mis- is often used to describe the dislike of something.

Example Question #2 : Analogies: Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Xenophobia is to foreigners as zoophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Animals

Death

Children

Women 

Men 

Correct answer:

Animals

Explanation:

Xenophobia is the fear of foreigners, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what zoophobia is a fear. This question is a little easier than most phobia analogy questions because the prefix zoo- is such a dead giveaway. The correct answer is that zoophobia is the fear of animals.

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

Complete this analogy.

Arachnophobia is to spiders as triskaidekaphobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Clowns 

The afterlife

Outlandish behavior 

The outdoors

The number thirteen 

Correct answer:

The number thirteen 

Explanation:

Arachnophobia, as you might have gathered from the prefix arach- and the suffix -phobia, is the fear of spiders; therefore, in order to solve this problem you have to determine what exactly triskaidekaphobia is the fear of. This is a tough question, but there are some clues in the word to help you determine the answer. The prefix tri­- suggests it might have something to do with the number three, and the inclusion of deka (think decathlon) suggests it might have something to do with the number ten. In the absence of any other clues it seems logical to guess the correct answer is triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number thirteen. Now, good luck trying to pronounce it.

Example Question #6 : Analogies: Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Eighty is to octogenarian as seventy is to _________

Possible Answers:

Nonagenarian

Pentagenarian

Septuagenarian

Pretty old 

None of these answers 

Correct answer:

Septuagenarian

Explanation:

An octogenarian is somebody in his or her eighties, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what name is given to somebody in his or her seventies. The prefix sept- is commonly used to refer to the number seven or things composed of seven parts; therefore the correct answer is “septuagenarian.” For clarification, a nonagenarian is somebody in his or her nineties, and pentagenarian is not a word.

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

Complete this analogy.

Cartographer is to map as vintner is to __________.

Possible Answers:

shoes 

hats 

coffee

wine 

soda 

Correct answer:

wine 

Explanation:

A cartographer is someone who makes maps, so in order to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of the items is produced by a vintner. The prefix "vin-" might clue you in that the answer choice has to be wine (from the Latin for wine, vino).

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