Synonyms: Suffixes from Latin

SSAT Middle Level Verbal · Learn by Concept

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Suffixes from Latin

1 - 10
1

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

ANTAGONIZE

Provoke

CORRECT

Undermine

0

Ajar

0

Barter

0

Retreat

0

Explanation

"Antagonize" means alienate or provoke, so "provoke" is the correct answer. "Undermine" means weaken. "Ajar" is an adjective that means slightly open. "Barter" is a verb that means trade or negotiate the price of an item. "Retreat" means withdraw or move back to a previous location.

2

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

AMIABLE

Good-natured

CORRECT

Erratic

0

Recalcitrant

0

Radical

0

Ill-tempered

0

Explanation

"Amiable" means good-natured. "Ill-tempered" means cantankerous, so it is an antonym of "amiable," not a "synonym." For clarification, "erratic" means unpredictable or devoid of a pattern, "recalcitrant" means unruly and disobedient, and "radical" means favoring major changes.

3

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

FELICITY

Happiness

CORRECT

Misery

0

Jealousy

0

Despondency

0

Fortune

0

Explanation

"Felicity" is a noun used to describe happiness and contentment or something that creates happiness and contentment. For clarification, "despondency" is a feeling of hopelessness.

4

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

GYNECOLOGY

Treatment of women

CORRECT

Treatment of children

0

Treatment of animals

0

Treatment of adolescents

0

Treatment of the elderly

0

Explanation

The prefix gyne­- means relating to women or to women’s reproductive systems. “Gynecology” is the medicine that specializes in treating women. To provide additional help, the medicine that specializes in treating children is called “pediatrics.”

5

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

FANATICISM

Zealotry

CORRECT

Idealism

0

Jive

0

Imagination

0

Delicate

0

Explanation

“Fanaticism” is a fanatic outlook or fanatic behaviour. “Fanatic” means marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion. Both words share a link with the root “fan,” as in football fan. “Fanaticism” can also be called “zeal,” which is a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something. If you show “zealous” behaviour then you are full of “zealotry.” To help you “idealism” is the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty. “Jive” means a type of fast lively dance or music that was especially popular in the early part of the twentieth century; it can also mean informal language that includes many slang terms.

6

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

EQUALIZE

Balance

CORRECT

Laud

0

Condemn

0

Demonstrate

0

Praise

0

Explanation

The prefix equ- means equal, same, so the word “equalize” means to make equal. Of the five answer choices this is most similar in meaning to “balance.” To provide further help, “demonstrate” means to show how to do something; “laud” means praise; “condemn” means criticize, say is wrong.

7

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

Reasonable

Logical

CORRECT

Unfair

0

Delicious

0

Honorable

0

Irritating

0

Explanation

"Reasonable" means logical, rational, or possessing reason.

8

Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.

Parity

Equality

CORRECT

Conversation

0

Devotion

0

Fence

0

Satire

0

Explanation

"Parity" means equality.

9

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

ILLUMINATE

Make clear

CORRECT

Make unclear

0

Make happy

0

Make sad

0

None of those mentioned

0

Explanation

To illuminate something means to shed light on it, to make it clear. The part of the word -lum- generally refers to light or clarity as in illuminate, luminous, illumination, etc.

10

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

Dependable

Reliable

CORRECT

Rare

0

Ordinary

0

Successful

0

Tolerable

0

Explanation

"Reliable" means dependable.