SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Wish is to wishful as hope is to __________

Possible Answers:

harmless

harmful

hopeless

hopeful

despondent

Correct answer:

hopeful

Explanation:

The suffix "-ful" generally means full of, so if you are “wishful” you are full of want or full of wishing. To solve this analogy, you have to determine which of these answer choices most nearly means full of hope. The correct answer is “hopeful.” To provide further help, “miserable” means in misery or very sad.

Example Question #5 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy. 

Cyclops is to one eye as biped is to __________.

Possible Answers:

one hand

one leg

two hands

two eyes

two legs

Correct answer:

two legs

Explanation:

A “cyclops” is a mythological creature with only one eye. The suffix "-ped" means related to feet or walking and the prefix "bi-" means two, so a “biped” is a creature with two legs.

Example Question #6 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Get is to obtain as deceive is to __________

Possible Answers:

prevent 

postpone

trick 

cancel

reward 

Correct answer:

trick 

Explanation:

"Get" and "obtain" are synonyms because they mean the same thing, so to solve the analogy, you need to pick out the answer choice which is a synonym of "deceive." The correct answer is “trick,” which means purposely mislead or deceive. As for the other answer choices, “prevent” means stop something from happening and “postpone” means delay until a later time.

Example Question #3 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Threefold is to triple as fourfold is to __________

Possible Answers:

enhance 

quadruple 

double

augment 

decimate 

Correct answer:

quadruple 

Explanation:

The suffix "-fold" means increased by a factor of, so something that is increased “threefold” is increased to an amount three times the original amount or tripled. To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of these answer choices means to increase to an amount four times the original amount. The correct answer is “quadruple,” since the prefix "quad-" means related to the number four. To provide further help, “decimate” means reduce by one-tenth or destroy. Additionally, “enhance” and “augment” are synonyms of one another, and both words mean add something to something else to improve the thing which is added to.

Example Question #4 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Selfish is to greedy as selfless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Unselfish

Honest 

Deceptive 

Dishonest 

Devious 

Correct answer:

Unselfish

Explanation:

"Selfish" is a synonym of "greedy," so to solve this analogy, you have to figure out the best synonym of "selfless." Someone who is "selfless" puts other people before him- or herself, so "unselfish," an adjective that means not selfish, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "selfless": "devious" and "deceptive" both mean deceitful, and "dishonest" means not honest, as you might be able to infer from the word's use of the negative prefix "dis-," which means not.

Example Question #9 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Help is to helper as sail is to _________.

Possible Answers:

sailor

overboard

boat

assistant

pilot

Correct answer:

sailor

Explanation:

A "sailor" is someone who sails, just as a "helper" is someone who helps. So, "sailor" is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Light bulb is to electricity as __________.

Possible Answers:

museum is to exhibit

dinosaur is to extinct

car is to gasoline

painting is to frame

bird is to beak

Correct answer:

car is to gasoline

Explanation:

Light bulbs are powered by electricity—they need electricity in order to work. To solve the analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word is a thing that needs the second thing to work. Many cars are powered by gasoline, just as lightbulbs are powered by electricity, so "car is to gasoline" is the correct answer! None of the other answer choices use two words that are related in the same way as "light bulb" is related to "electricity."

Example Question #11 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Female is to witch as male is to __________.

Possible Answers:

humanist 

judge 

wizard 

witchcraft 

magician 

Correct answer:

wizard 

Explanation:

A “wizard” is a male witch. To provide further help, “witchcraft” is the practice of magic by witches. The suffix "-craft" suggests a type of work or craft. A “humanist” is someone who has great faith in the capabilities of mankind and who thinks rationally about the world.

Example Question #12 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Thermometer is to temperature as ruler is to __________

Possible Answers:

light

weight

loudness

length

pressure

Correct answer:

length

Explanation:

The suffix "-meter" suggests that the word in question will relate to the measurement of something. The prefix "therm-" or "thermo-" means having to do with heat, temperature, or fire, so a “thermometer” is something used to measure temperature. So, to solve this analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that describes what a ruler measures. A ruler measures length, so "length" is the correct answer.

Example Question #13 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Herbologist is to plants as  __________.

Possible Answers:

zoologist is to animals

happy is to well

teacher is to pupil

science is to biology

vigorous is to fast

Correct answer:

zoologist is to animals

Explanation:

A “herbologist” is a person who studies plants. The suffix "-ology" means the study of something and "-ologist" means a person who studies something. Similarly, a "zoologist" is a person who studies animals. To further help you, "biology” is a branch of science that studies life; “vigorous” and “fast” are synonyms; “happy” and “well" are also synonyms.

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