SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

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

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 :Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

DOMICILE.

Possible Answers:

Suspect

Work

Home

Friend

Criminal

Correct answer:

Home

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2 :Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ADUMBRATE

Possible Answers:

Outline

Mesmerize

Assassinate

Repel

Store

Correct answer:

Outline

Explanation:

To "adumbrate" isto 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 #1 :Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MOLLIFY

Possible Answers:

Banter

Pursue

Meander

Magnify

Soften

Correct answer:

Soften

Explanation:

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

Example Question #4 :Synonyms: Roots

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Painful

Windy

Subjective

Systemic

Generous

Correct answer:

Generous

Explanation:

"Magnanimous" meansgenerous and noble. The root "magn" meansgreatin Latin, while the root word "animus" meansspiritin 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:

Tolerance

Aid

Straw

Novice

Jester

Correct answer:

Novice

Explanation:

A "neophyte" isabeginnerora没有vice, so "novice" is the correct answer. The root wordsneoand没有vboth meannew. The rootphytemeansgrowth. None of the other words are close in meaning to "neophyte": "straw" meanshay; "aid" meanshelp; "jester" meansclown;and "tolerance" meansacceptance.

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 trees

Pertaining to the atmosphere

Pertaining to water

Pertaining to human beings

Pertaining to rocks

Correct answer:

Pertaining to trees

Explanation:

The word "arboreal" meanspertaining totrees. You might be able to infer this because "arbor" is the Latin word fortree.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

Sphere

Stagnation

Monologue

Correct answer:

Monologue

Explanation:

A "soliloquy" isa monologue. The root word "sol-" meansalone, and the root word "loqu-" meanstalk. "Monologue" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #7 :Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ACQUIT

Possible Answers:

Imprision

Exonerate

Ignore

Judge

Sentence

Correct answer:

Exonerate

Explanation:

当一个人”cquitted” 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 meansto remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaningto lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” meansout oforaway from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaningburdensome or difficult.

Example Question #4 :Synonyms: Roots

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

VERBOSE

Possible Answers:

Literal

Wordy

Conjugated

Literary

Soft-spoken

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It meansusing 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 #1 :Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MALICE

Possible Answers:

Courage

Malevolence

Presentation

Benevolence

Information

Correct answer:

Malevolence

Explanation:

"Malice" meansevilorthe quality ofdesiring to harm others.So, the correct answer is "malevolence," which also meansthe quality of desiringto harm others.

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