SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Analogies

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Imply is to suggest as __________ is to lessen.

Possible Answers:

despise

consider

query

reduce

enhance

Correct answer:

reduce

Explanation:

"Imply" and "suggest" are synonyms of one another, both words mean to hint that something is true, to indirectly state something as true. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words has the same meaning as "lessen" which means to make smaller, to make less intense. The correct answer is "reduce." Additionally, "enhance" means make larger, make better; "query" means ask a question about; "despise" means deeply hate; "consider" means take time to think about.

Example Question #222 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Convince is to persuade as __________ is to bite.

Possible Answers:

eat

argue

nibble

food

teeth

Correct answer:

nibble

Explanation:

"Convince" and "persuade" are synonyms of one another. Both words mean to cause someone to do something they originally did not want to do. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these is a synonym of "bite." The correct answer is "nibble." Usually "nibble" means to take a small bite or to bite gently.

Example Question #223 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Heartfelt is to sincere as __________ is to bare.

Possible Answers:

barren

clean

full

youthful

unkempt

Correct answer:

barren

Explanation:

"Heartfelt" and "sincere" both mean honest and open, free from lies and tricks. These two words are "synonyms" of one another because they have the same meaning. So, which of these words is a synonym of "bare?" Well, "bare" means empty, lacking features, naked. The best available synonym is therefore "barren" which means not having anything, empty, lacking life. Additionally, "unkempt" means messy, untidy; "youthful" means young.

Example Question #224 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Flex is to bend as impede is to __________.

Possible Answers:

obstruct

glance

postpone

irritate

mourn

Correct answer:

obstruct

Explanation:

"Flex" and "bend" are synonyms of one another, both words mean to stretch or twist one's body. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these is a synonym of "impede." Well, "impede" means block the path of, get in the way of. This is the same definition as "obstruct," so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "postpone" means delay, stop with the intention to start again later; "irritate" means annoy; "glance" means look at quickly and secretively; "mourn" means feel or express sadness about the loss of.

Example Question #225 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Contempt is to respect as __________ is to worst.

Possible Answers:

inadequate

optimum

inferior

imperfect

substandard

Correct answer:

optimum

Explanation:

"Contempt" means dislike for and "respect" means admiration for, like for. These two words are considered "antonyms" because they have opposite meanings. To solve this analogy you therefore need to figure out which of these words has the opposite meaning to "worst." The correct answer is "optimum" which means best, perfect. All the other answer choices are related to being "worse" or "worst."

Example Question #1 : Antonyms

Cold is to hot as . . .

Possible Answers:

day is to night

star is to sky

bear is to forest

light is to lightbulb

cold is to snow

Correct answer:

day is to night

Explanation:

Since "cold" and "hot" are opposites, we're looking for an answer choice in which the two words are opposites. Since "day" is the opposite of "night," "day is to night" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Antonyms

Myth is to fact as reject is to

Possible Answers:

turn away

accept

turn down

none of the other answers

refuse

Correct answer:

accept

Explanation:

Both sets of words are antonyms.  

Example Question #2 : Antonyms

Temporary is to permanent as veteran is to

Possible Answers:

expert

novice

seasoned

experienced

none of the other answers

Correct answer:

novice

Explanation:

Both sets of words are antonyms. 

Example Question #3 : Antonyms

Loose is to tight as deep is to

Possible Answers:

far

sound

none of the other answers.

heavy

shallow

Correct answer:

shallow

Explanation:

Both of the sets are antonyms.  

Example Question #3 : Antonyms

Hungry is to full as . . .

Possible Answers:

sleepy is to bed

quiet is to indoors

exhausted is to energetic

leaf is to tree

music is to dancing

Correct answer:

exhausted is to energetic

Explanation:

Since "hungry" and "full" are opposites, we need to pick out another pair of words which are also opposites. Since "exhausted" ("very tired") is an opposite of "energetic," "exhausted is to energetic" is the correct answer.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors