All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.
Eject
hear
across
look
throw
belief
throw
"Ject" usually means throw. Another example is "project."
Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.
Polyglot
turn
many
speak
light
both
many
"Poly" usually means many. Another example is "polygon."
Example Question #3 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Intrepid
Conversant
Pointed
Fearless
Broken
Final
Fearless
"Intrepid" means fearless. The Latin root word, "trepidus," means fearful. The prefix "in" means not.
Example Question #4 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.
INDELIBLE
Permanent
Tangible
Linked
Dehydrated
Churned
Permanent
"Indelible" means permanent. The prefix "in" means not, and the root "delere" means to destroy, so it makes sense that if something is "indelible," it is not be able to be destroyed, or permanent. So, "permanent" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "indelible."
Example Question #5 : 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.
CIRCUMVENT
Line
Punch
Confide
Bypass
Elevate
Bypass
"Circumvent" means to go around or to bypass, so "bypass" is the correct answer. The root word circum means around, and ven means to come. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "circumvent": "punch" means to hit; "confide" means to tell secrets to; "elevate" means to lift; and "line" means to mark.
Example Question #6 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.
INDISTINCT
Compliant
Notorious
Lucid
Pliable
Fuzzy
Fuzzy
"Indistinct" means fuzzy or not clear. "Lucid" is the antonym; it means clear and easily distinguishable and seen. "Notorious" means well-known for bad qualities or manners. "Compliant" means obedient or submissive. "Pliable" means bendable and flexible.
Example Question #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISANTHROPIC
Apparent
Preventable
Prospective
Hateful
Educated
Hateful
"Misanthropic" means hating humankind. The root word "anthro" means human, and the prefix "mis-" means wrong or incorrect. "Hateful" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "misanthropic."
Example Question #3 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRETENTIOUS
Unreal
Fictitious
Illusory
Ostentatious
Ephemeral
Ostentatious
Although the word “pretentious” is related to the word “pretend,” do not be fooled. “Pretend” literally means to stretch forward in the sense of taking or claiming something. The “-tend” means stretch, as is found in “extend.” The “pre-” does not mean before in a temporal sense but instead in the physical sense—e.g. “he stood before the magistrate.” When someone is pretentious, he or she claims to be something that he or she is not, often doing so with much fanfare to draw attention. The word “ostentatious” means much the same, itself being derived from Latin roots meaning to stretch out to show.
Example Question #3 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRANSITION
Termination
Alteration
Regress
Oversight
Dismissal
Alteration
The word “transition” is taken from two familiar components, though you might not see the second component at first sight. The prefix “trans-” means across. When someone “translates” something, he or she “carries” it from one language to another. Likewise, “transferring” is the sending or carrying of something “across from one person or place to another.” The “-ition” is related to the small “-it” in “exit.” It means to go, and “exit” means to go out. A “transition” is a going across from one place, quality, etc. to another. Better stated, it means a change from one thing to another. "Alteration" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "transition."
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.
INGRESS
Discredit
Entryway
Private
Insult
Interior
Entryway
The word “ingress” is perhaps a bit strange looking, but you can infer its meaning from two relatively well known bases. The prefix “in-” merely means in or into. While the “-gress” may seem unknown, think of words like “progress” or “digress.” The “-gress” in these words comes from the Latin word for to step. The words “grade” and “gradual” both come from this same base. Literally speaking, an “ingress” is a “going in” or—more appropriate for our word choices—the means of going in. For this reason, it often means merely “door,” “entrance,” or “entryway.”