SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #45 : Antonyms

Complete the analogy.

Safe is to risky as bravery is to __________.

Possible Answers:

daring

cowardice

daredevil

genius

courage

Correct answer:

cowardice

Explanation:

"Safe" and "risky" are antonyms, so the answer must be an antonym of "bravery." "Courage" and "daring" are synonyms of "bravery," and a "daredevil" is someone who may show bravery. A "genius" has nothing to do with the word "bravery." "Cowardice" is the only antonym of bravery.

Example Question #46 : Antonyms

Analogies: Complete this analogy. 

Beneficial is to useless as ripe is to __________.

Possible Answers:

harmful

helpful

fresh

perilous

rotten

Correct answer:

rotten

Explanation:

Something that is "beneficial" is helpful, useful. So, "beneficial" is an antonym of "useless." An "antonym" is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word, like "bad" and "good." To solve this analogy you have to determine which one of these words has the opposite meaning to "ripe." "Ripe" means fresh, ready to be eaten. So the best antonym is "rotten" which means no longer fresh. To provide further help, "perilous" means dangerous

Example Question #47 : Antonyms

Analogies: Complete this analogy. 

Diminish is to enhance as relaxed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

playful

anxious

merry

calm

settled

Correct answer:

anxious

Explanation:

"Diminish" means to make smaller, whereas "enhance" means to make larger. These words are antonyms of one another because they have opposite meanings. To solve this analogy then you need to determine which of these answer choices has the opposite meaning of "relaxed." The correct answer is "anxious," which means stressed, worried, nervous. To provide further help, "merry" means happy.

Example Question #271 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Honest is to corrupt as damp is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dry

lost

drenched

soaked

burned

Correct answer:

dry

Explanation:

To begin with "corrupt" means dishonest, showing a willingness to abuse one's power in exchange for money. So, "corrupt" and "honest" are antonyms of one another. An "antonym" is a word that has the opposite meaning to another word. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "damp," which means a little wet. The correct answer is "dry." Additionally, "drenched" and "soaked" are synonyms, both words mean made very wet.

Example Question #49 : Antonyms

Complete the analogy.

Dull is to sharp as ____________.

Possible Answers:

dark is to light

hairy is to monkey

dusty is to dirty

quiet is to calm

clean is to spotless

Correct answer:

dark is to light

Explanation:

To complete the analogy, you must determine the relationship between the first two words. "Dull" and "sharp" are antonyms, or opposites, so the answer must be two antonyms. "Dark" is the opposite of light, so that must be the correct answer.

Example Question #51 : Antonyms

Complete the analogy.

Early is to late ________________.

Possible Answers:

morning is to sunrise

open is to closed

water is to drink

midnight is to nighttime

store is to open

Correct answer:

open is to closed

Explanation:

"Early" and "late" are antonyms, or opposites, so the answer must be two antonyms. "Open" is the opposite of "closed," so that must be the correct answer.

Example Question #52 : Antonyms

Complete the analogy.

Break is to repair as _______________.

Possible Answers:

day is to sun

awake is to alert

brave is to courageous

buy is to sell

elementary is to beginner

Correct answer:

buy is to sell

Explanation:

"Break" and "repair" are antonyms. As an action, to repair a bicycle, for instance, is the total opposite of the action of breaking that bicycle. To sell a bicycle is similarly the opposite of buying one.

Example Question #272 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Forget is to remember as __________ is to compliment.

Possible Answers:

destroy

descend

insult

praise

permit

Correct answer:

insult

Explanation:

"Forget" and "remember" have opposite meanings, they are therefore "antonyms." To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these words has the opposite meaning to "compliment." Well, "compliment" means say something nice about someone so the best available antonym is "insult," which means say mean things to someone. Additionally, "descend" means go down; "permit" means allow to happen; "praise" means celebrate, say nice things about, compliment.

Example Question #273 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Dishonest is to __________ as shy is to confident.

Possible Answers:

straightforward

aggressive

unattractive

benign

relentless

Correct answer:

straightforward

Explanation:

"Shy" and "confident" are "antonyms" of one another. An "antonym" is when two words have opposite meanings. So, which of these words means the opposite of "dishonest?" The correct answer is "straightforward" means honest and simple. Additionally, "aggressive" means likely to attack; "benign" means not harmful, safe; "relentless" means continuous, not stopping; "unattractive" means ugly, not attractive.

Example Question #55 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Brave is to cowardly as ________________.

Possible Answers:

strong is to strength

jocular is to joking

smart is to intellectual

kind is to mean

interesting is to sincere

Correct answer:

kind is to mean

Explanation:

Since "brave" and "cowardly" are antonyms (have opposite definitions), we are looking for an answer choice that is a set of antonyms. The only answer choice that fits this criterion is "kind is to mean."

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