SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #44 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Cover is to rug as enclose is to __________.

Possible Answers:

umbrella

fence

garden

pool

floor

Correct answer:

fence

Explanation:

You can use a rug to cover the floor, so to solve this analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that is something you can use to "enclose" an area. "Enclose" means close off from all sides, so you can use a fence to enclose an area. That means that fence is the correct answer.

Example Question #45 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Triangle is to three as square is to __________.

Possible Answers:

four

sides

angles

shape

five 

Correct answer:

four

Explanation:

A triangle is a three-sided shape, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine how many sides a square has. The correct answer is that a square has “four” sides. The prefix "tri-" usually means that the word will relate in some way to the number three.

Example Question #46 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Biped is to two as quadruped is to __________.

Possible Answers:

four 

five 

eight 

seven 

six 

Correct answer:

four 

Explanation:

The root "ped" means related to legs, walking, or feet. A “biped” is a two-legged animal. The prefix ­"bi-" means related to the number two. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine how many legs a “quadruped” has. The correct answer is “four,” because the prefix ­"quad-" means related to the number four.

Example Question #47 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Manicure is to hands as pedicure is to __________

Possible Answers:

Face

Head 

Eyes 

Arms 

Feet

Correct answer:

Feet

Explanation:

The prefix "man-" means related to hands, just as the prefix "ped-" means related to feet. A “manicure” is a treatment for hands and nails and a “pedicure” is a treatment for feet and toe nails

Example Question #31 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Moral is to amoral as active is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hopeful

passive

followed

silent

reclusive

Correct answer:

passive

Explanation:

The prefix "a-" adds the meaning of not, without, or opposite to. The opposite of “moral” is “amoral.” If you are “moral,” you base your actions on what you think is right and good; if you are “amoral,” you base your actions on what you think is bad or you just do whatever you like. The opposite of “active” is “passive,” where "active" means engaged or in action. If you are “passive” you do nothing or do very little. To further help you, “reclusive” means you prefer to be alone or you shy away from society; “hopeful” means full of hope; “silent” means quiet, without noise.

Example Question #32 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Unreal is to fake as uncertain is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sure

uncaring

knowing

unknown

caring

Correct answer:

unknown

Explanation:

The prefix "un-" means not. "Unreal" means not real, or "fake," so "unreal" and "fake" are synonyms because they have the same meaning. To solve the analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that means the same thing as "uncertain." "Uncertain" means not certain or unknown, so "unknown" is the correct answer.

Example Question #33 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Credulous is to incredulous as credit is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Dismantle 

Innate 

Impossible 

Discredit

Card

Correct answer:

Discredit

Explanation:

The prefixes "in-," "im-," and "dis-" are all negationprefixes. This means they take the original meaning of the word and cause it to mean the opposite. “Credulous” means believing, naïve, gullible, so “incredulous” must mean disbelieving, skeptical, doubtful. To solve this analogy, you have to determine which of these answer choices is the opposite of “credit,” which means to give recognition for some achievement. The correct antonym is “discredit,” which means harm the reputation of, prove wrong. To provide further help, “dismantle” means to take apart; “innate” means natural, inherent; “impossible” means not possible.

Example Question #51 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Tricycle is to three as unicycle is to __________

Possible Answers:

bicycle

vehicle

motorcycle

none

one

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

The suffix "-cycle" suggests a wheeled vehicle and the prefixes tell you how many wheels that vehicle has. So a “tricycle” is a three-wheeled vehicle and a “unicycle” is a one-wheeled vehicle. Similarly, a "bicycle" is a two-wheeled vehicle.

Example Question #51 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Unicycle is to one as tricycle is to __________.

Possible Answers:

three

ride 

bicycle 

car

two 

Correct answer:

three

Explanation:

The prefix "uni-" means related to the number one, and the prefix ­"tri-" means related to the number three. So, for example, a “triangle” is so named because it has three sides and three angles, and a “tricycle” is called such because it has three wheels, as opposed to a "bicycle," which has two wheels and a “unicycle,” which has one wheel. In this example, "­uni-" is the prefix that tells you the word is related to the number one, and "cycle" tells you the word is related to something with wheels. Since a unicycle has one wheel and a tricycle has three wheels, "three" is the correct answer.

Example Question #52 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Uncommon is to rare as __________.

Possible Answers:

under is to over

underhanded is to deliberate

undiscovered is to bleak

unplanned is to spontaneous

ungrateful is to appreciative

Correct answer:

unplanned is to spontaneous

Explanation:

Here, the prefix "un-" applied to the word "common" results in the word "uncommon," which means the opposite of common. Something that is uncommon is therefore "rare." 

Given that "uncommon" and "rare" mean the same thing, the correct answer choice will be one in which the two words also mean the same thing. Something that is "spontaneous" is not planned. Therefore, the answer choice "unplanned is to spontaneous" is the correct answer.

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