SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper 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.

DOMICILE.

Possible Answers:

Criminal 

Friend 

Home 

Work 

Suspect 

Correct answer:

Home 

Explanation:

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated. 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots

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

ADUMBRATE

Possible Answers:

Outline

Assassinate 

Repel

Mesmerize

Store

Correct answer:

Outline

Explanation:

To "adumbrate" is to outline, sketch, or give a faint indication of something.  The root "umbra" means shadow. So, "outline" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "adumbrate."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MOLLIFY

Possible Answers:

Magnify

Soften

Meander

Pursue

Banter

Correct answer:

Soften

Explanation:

"Mollify" is a verb that means to soften or calm.  The root word "molli" means soft. So, "soften" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mollify."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Generous

Subjective

Systemic

Windy

Painful

Correct answer:

Generous

Explanation:

"Magnanimous" means generous and noble.  The root "magn" means great in Latin, while the root word "animus" means spirit in Latin. So, "generous" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "magnanimous."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

NEOPHYTE

Possible Answers:

Novice

Straw

Tolerance

Jester

Aid

Correct answer:

Novice

Explanation:

A "neophyte" is a beginner or a novice, so "novice" is the correct answer. The root words neo and nov both mean new. The root phyte means growth. None of the other words are close in meaning to "neophyte": "straw" means hay; "aid" means help; "jester" means clown; and "tolerance" means acceptance.  

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ARBOREAL

Possible Answers:

Pertaining to water

Pertaining to rocks

Pertaining to the atmosphere

Pertaining to trees

Pertaining to human beings

Correct answer:

Pertaining to trees

Explanation:

The word "arboreal" means pertaining to trees. You might be able to infer this because "arbor" is the Latin word for tree. So, the best answer choice is "pertaining to trees."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

SOLILOQUY

Possible Answers:

Destiny

Permission

Stagnation

Sphere

Monologue

Correct answer:

Monologue

Explanation:

A "soliloquy" is a monologue. The root word "sol-" means alone, and the root word "loqu-" means talk. "Monologue" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

ACQUIT

Possible Answers:

Imprision

Judge

Sentence

Exonerate

Ignore

Correct answer:

Exonerate

Explanation:

When someone is “acquitted” of an action, he or she is “forgiven” or set free from any sort of charges of that action. For instance, someone “acquitted of murder” is judged to be innocent of the crime. The word “exonerate” best matches this usage. It means to remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaning to lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” means out of or away from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaning burdensome or difficult.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots

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

VERBOSE

Possible Answers:

Soft-spoken

Literary

Wordy

Literal

Conjugated

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MALICE

Possible Answers:

Presentation

Malevolence

Information

Benevolence

Courage

Correct answer:

Malevolence

Explanation:

"Malice" means evil or the quality of desiring to harm others. So, the correct answer is "malevolence," which also means the quality of desiring to harm others. 

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