SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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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

Possible Answers:

hear

across

look

throw

belief

Correct answer:

throw

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

turn

many

speak

light

both

Correct answer:

many

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Conversant

Pointed

Fearless

Broken

Final

Correct answer:

Fearless

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Permanent

Tangible

Linked

Dehydrated

Churned

Correct answer:

Permanent

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Line

Punch

Confide

Bypass

Elevate

Correct answer:

Bypass

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Compliant

Notorious

Lucid

Pliable

Fuzzy

Correct answer:

Fuzzy

Explanation:

"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 #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Apparent

Preventable

Educated

Hateful

Prospective

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

"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 #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PRETENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Unreal

Fictitious

Ostentatious

Illusory

Ephemeral

Correct answer:

Ostentatious

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Oversight

Alteration

Termination

Regress

Dismissal

Correct answer:

Alteration

Explanation:

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 #4 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INGRESS

Possible Answers:

Interior

Private

Entryway

Discredit

Insult

Correct answer:

Entryway

Explanation:

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.”

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