SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms and Vocabulary Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms and Vocabulary syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms and Vocabulary in SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Synonym Question Strategy

   4 topics

   • Approaching the stem word
     • Defining the word before reading choices
     • Using the word in a sentence
   • Eliminating answer choices
     • Spotting trap and near-miss options
   • Handling unknown stem words
     • Positive/negative connotation guessing
     • Word association techniques
   • Managing time and educated guessing
2. 2

   Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

   4 topics

   • Common Latin roots
   • Common Greek roots
   • Prefixes that change meaning
     • Negation prefixes (un-, dis-, a-, non-)
     • Directional and quantity prefixes
   • Suffixes and part-of-speech signals
3. 3

   Connotation, Nuance, and Word Choice

   4 topics

   • Denotation versus connotation
   • Degrees of intensity among synonyms
   • Formal versus informal register
   • Multiple-meaning words in context
4. 4

   High-Frequency SSAT Vocabulary

   4 topics

   • Academic and abstract nouns
   • Descriptive adjectives commonly tested
   • Precise and uncommon verbs
   • Vocabulary self-study and flashcard methods

Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms and Vocabulary flashcards for SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test)

18 of 51 cards from the Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms and Vocabulary deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the first step when approaching a synonym question on the SSAT?

   Read and define the stem (capitalized) word on its own, ideally by putting it in a short sentence, BEFORE looking at any answer choices. This prevents the choices from biasing your thinking.

2. Why should you cover or ignore the answer choices when you first read a synonym stem word?

   Because seeing the choices first can lure you toward a tempting-but-wrong word. Forming your own definition first keeps your judgment anchored to the stem's actual meaning.

3. On an SSAT synonym question, what does the capitalized 'stem word' refer to?

   The single word in capital letters at the top of the question for which you must find the closest-in-meaning answer choice; there is no sentence context provided.

4. In SSAT synonyms, how should you treat the part of speech of the stem word?

   Identify the stem's part of speech and match it. The correct synonym is the same part of speech, so use word endings and likely usage to keep noun-with-noun, verb-with-verb, etc.

5. Describe the process of elimination for an SSAT synonym question.

   Cross out choices that clearly don't match your definition of the stem, then compare the survivors. Pick the one closest in meaning, intensity, and connotation; eliminating even one or two raises your odds on an educated guess.

6. On the SSAT, is there a penalty for wrong answers, and how does that affect guessing strategy?

   Yes. The SSAT deducts 1/4 point for each wrong answer but 0 for blanks. So guess only when you can eliminate at least one choice, tilting the expected value in your favor.

7. Compute the expected value of guessing on a 5-choice SSAT question after eliminating 0, 1, and 2 choices (correct = +1, wrong = -1/4).

   0 eliminated: $\frac{1}{5}(1)+\frac{4}{5}(-\frac{1}{4})=0$. 1 eliminated: $\frac{1}{4}(1)+\frac{3}{4}(-\frac{1}{4})=\frac{1}{16}>0$. 2 eliminated: $\frac{1}{3}(1)+\frac{2}{3}(-\frac{1}{4})=\frac{1}{6}>0$.

8. What is the recommended strategy when the stem word is completely unknown to you?

   Use word parts (prefix, root, suffix), recall any related words or contexts you've heard, and judge the word's likely positive/negative connotation; then eliminate mismatches and make an educated guess.

9. How can connotation (positive vs. negative 'charge') help with an unknown stem word?

   Even without the exact meaning, sensing whether the stem sounds positive or negative lets you eliminate choices with the opposite charge, narrowing the field for an educated guess.

10. What is the SSAT pacing principle for the verbal section regarding hard questions?

    Don't linger. Spend roughly the same brief time per question; if a synonym stumps you after a quick attempt, eliminate what you can, guess or skip, and move on to protect time for solvable questions.

11. Why is it risky to pick a synonym choice that is a 'close associate' rather than a true synonym?

    Test-makers include words associated with the stem's topic but not its meaning (e.g., for HARBOR choosing 'ship'). A synonym must mean nearly the same thing, not merely relate to the same scene.

12. Define a Latin root and give the meaning of 'spec/spect'.

    A Latin root is a base word-part borrowed from Latin. 'Spec/spect' means 'to look/see' (inspect, spectator, perspective, conspicuous).

13. What does the Latin root 'dict' mean, and give two example words?

    'Dict' means 'to speak/say'. Examples: dictate, predict, contradict, verdict.

14. What does the Latin root 'ben/bene' mean, and how does it signal connotation?

    'Bene' means 'good/well' (benefit, benevolent, benign), signaling a positive connotation useful for eliminating negative choices.

15. What does the Latin root 'mal' mean, and give examples?

    'Mal' means 'bad/evil' (malevolent, malicious, malign, malady), signaling a negative connotation.

16. What does the Latin root 'cred' mean?

    'Cred' means 'to believe/trust' (credible, incredible, credit, credulous).

17. What does the Latin root 'port' mean, and give examples?

    'Port' means 'to carry' (transport, portable, export, import).

18. What does the Latin root 'vid/vis' mean?

    'Vid/vis' means 'to see' (visible, vision, evident, supervise).

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