SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms: Using Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FOREMOST

Possible Answers:

Secondary

Vast

Primary

Lasting

Genuine

Correct answer:

Primary

Explanation:

The prefix "fore-" meansbeforeorcoming first, so “foremost” means "primary," orfirst in order or importance。To provide further help, “secondary” meanscoming second in an orderorof less importance than other things。Additionally, “vast” meansvery large; “genuine” meansreal; and “lasting” meansexisting for a long time

Example Question #2 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTACT

Possible Answers:

Soggy

强烈的

Ripped

Burdened

Undamaged

Correct answer:

Undamaged

Explanation:

The suffix "-tact" meansrelated to touch, so something that is “intact” issomething that has not been broken by people touching it。This is most similar in meaning to the word “undamaged,” where “damaged” meansdefacedorwreckedand the prefix "un-" meansnot, causing “undamaged” to meannot defaced or wrecked; in the same condition something was in before an event that could have potentially damaged it。To provide further help, “ripped” meanstorn; "intense" meansof great poweror degree, and “soggy” meansdamp or wet; and “burdened” meansweighed down with things or responsibilities

Example Question #3 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

A synonym of "inconsiderate" is . . .

Possible Answers:

unsure

unusual

rude

abismal

polite

Correct answer:

rude

Explanation:

"Inconsiderate" is an adjective that means "thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "thoughtlessly hurting or inconveniencing others." While both "unusual" and "unsure" begin with "un-," a negative prefix, just as "inconsiderate" begin with "in-," another negative prefix, "unusual" means "not usual" and "unsure" means "not sure," whereas "inconsiderate" means "not considerate." So, because neither "unusual" nor "unsure" mean the same thing as "inconsiderate," neither can be the correct answer. "Rude," however, is an adjective that means "offensively impolite or ill-mannered," and because "rude" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inconsiderate," "rude" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

OMNISCIENT

Possible Answers:

All-feeling

Prudent

All-knowing

Disasterous

All-powerful

Correct answer:

All-knowing

Explanation:

Someone who is "omniscient"knows everything。So, the correct answer is “all-knowing.” The prefix "omni-" meanseverythingorall。To help you, "omnipotent" meansall-powerful

Example Question #41 :Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DESTITUTE

Possible Answers:

Willpower

Generational

Polished

Impoverished

Fate

Correct answer:

Impoverished

Explanation:

The word “destitute” is related to the root word "stature." Your “stature” isyour social standing。If you add the negative prefix “de-,” it means theremoval of your social position。So “destitute” meansextremely poor。Another word that meansextremely pooris “impoverished.” To further help you, “generational” meansrelating to a group of people born at the same time。We can say that taste in musicis "generational."

Example Question #5 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

DESPAIR

Possible Answers:

Ironic

Jubilation

Anguish

Denigrate

Disadvantage

Correct answer:

Anguish

Explanation:

“Despair” meansgreat suffering or sadness, which is similar in meaning to "anguish." The prefix "de-" is often used to meandown, going away, such as in “descend,” which meansdropping downor “despair,” which meansgoing down into the pits of sadness。To provide further help, “jubilation” meansgreat happiness; “denigrate” meansput down, make someone feel worse; “disadvantage” meansdifficulty, shortcoming; “ironic” meansnot serious, intended to mock something

Example Question #6 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SYNCHRONIZE

Possible Answers:

Assailable

Coordinate

Detract

Debacle

Catastrophe

Correct answer:

Coordinate

Explanation:

The prefix "sync-" meansto act together, to be unified。When we “synchronize” wemake things work at or on the same time。例如,我们可以同步我们的手表o that the time on them reads the same. This is closest in meaning to “coordinate.” The prefix "co-" is used similarly to the prefix "sync-." To provide further help, “detract” meanstake away from something; “debacle” meanscatastrophe, something that has gone horribly wrong; “assailable” meansable to be attacked or conquered

Example Question #41 :Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ACCURATE

Possible Answers:

Malevolent

Incumbent

Sporadic

Benevolent

Precise

Correct answer:

Precise

Explanation:

The prefix "ac-" meanssharpand is used in words like “acute,” which can be used to describe asharp mind。The word “accurate” meanssharpas incorrect, on the money, precise。When you fire a shot and it goes exactly where you want, we call this “precise” or “accurate.” To provide further help, “incumbent” meansperson already in a position of power; “sporadic” meansrandom, infrequent; “benevolent” meansgood-natured; “malevolent” meansbad-natured

Example Question #44 :Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

COMBINE

Possible Answers:

Merge

Fight

Access

Retort

Outline

Correct answer:

Merge

Explanation:

The prefix "com-" meanswithortogether。Thus, it makes sense that the word “combine” meansmerge together。So, the correct answer is "merge," because "merge" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "combine." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "combine": “access,” when used as a verb, meansbe able to use; “retort” meansanswer back in an argument, often in an incisive or angry way; and “outline” meanssketchordraw up a plan for something; and "fight," when used as a verb, meansget into a physically violent dispute with

Example Question #7 :Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PERCEIVE

Possible Answers:

Justify

Consider

Seclude

Amplify

Notice

Correct answer:

Notice

Explanation:

The prefix "per-" meansthrough, and the word “perceive” meansbecome aware of something or notice something through sight。This means that the correct answer is “notice.” None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "perceive": “seclude” meansmake a person or oneself be apart from others; “justify” meansgive logical reasons for; “amplify” meansincreaseorintensify; and “consider” meanscarefullythink about

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