SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies: Prefixes from Greek
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek
Complete this analogy.
Antiquated is to the past as __________ is to the present.
current
youthful
severe
obdurate
mundane
current
The Greek and Latin prefix anti- can mean either opposite, against as in "antisocial" which means not social. Or, anti- can mean old, ancient. In "antiquated" it is used in the latter sense, "antiquated" means very old, outdated, ancient. Something from the past could be described as "antiquated," so which of these is a word that could describe something from the present? The correct answer is "current" which means contemporary, in the present. Additionally, "youthful" means young; "mundane" means ordinary, boring; "severe" means intense, harsh; "obdurate" means stubborn, intractable.
Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek
Complete this analogy.
Astronomy is to space as geology is to __________.
weather
life
economics
rocks
chemistry
rocks
The Greek prefix astr- means stars, sun and the Greek root -nom- means arrangement, order, study. So, "astronomy" is literally the arrangement of the stars or the study of outer space. Furthermore, the Greek prefix geo- means Earth, of the Earth and the suffix -ology means study of. So, "geology" is literally the study of the Earth or the study of rocks and rock formations.
Example Question #51 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Cytology is to cells as nomology is to __________.
public health
law
probability
equations
math
law
"Cytology" is the study of cells, so to solve this analogy you need to determine what "nomology" is the study of. To solve this problem it helps to consider the meaning of the Greek prefix nom- which means law, order. So, "nomology" is the study of law.
Example Question #52 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Anthropology is to __________ as meteorology is to weather.
animals
literature
recreation
mankind
occupations
mankind
To solve this problem you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek prefixes. To begin with "meteorology" is the study of weather, the atmosphere, and weather patterns. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "anthropology" is the study of. The Greek prefix anthrop- means human, so "anthropology" is the study of mankind, the study of humans.
Example Question #53 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Xenophobia is to foreigners as arachnophobia is to _______________.
silence
travel
psychology
spiders
politics
spiders
"Xenophobia" is an irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. The correct answer will demonstrate a relationship between a fear and the object of that fear. "Arachno" derives from the Greek root meaning spider, and "arachnophobia" is the fear of spiders.
Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek
Complete this analogy.
Claustrophobia is to trapped as acrophobia is to _______________.
heights
loneliness
snakes
spiders
dogs
heights
To begin with the suffix -phobia means fear of. "Claustrophobia" is the fear of being "trapped," the fear of tight spaces. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what someone who suffers from "acrophobia" is afraid of. The key here is the prefix acro- (as in "acropolis"), it means height, high. So, "acrophobia" is the fear of "heights" or high places.
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