SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Part/Whole, Example/Category, and Cause/Effect

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Part/Whole, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Guitar is to strings as piano is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

keys 

percussion 

music 

fingers 

sound 

Correct answer:

keys 

Explanation:

A “guitar” is an instrument, and to play a guitar, you use its “strings." To solve this analogy, you have to determine which of the answer choices is something you use to play music on a “piano.” The correct answer is therefore “keys,” since the little black and white rectangles you press on to play notes on a piano are called “keys.” To provide further help, “percussion” is another name for the group of instruments played with sticks or by shaking them in a band or orchestra.

Example Question #71 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Door knob is to door as __________.

Possible Answers:

key is to lock

rain is to rainbow

chair is to table

water is to glass

pane is to window

Correct answer:

key is to lock

Explanation:

Door knobs help us to open doors, just like keys help us to open locks, so "key is to lock" is the correct answer.

Example Question #63 : Part/Whole, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Wave is to ocean as __________.

Possible Answers:

kettle is to tea

branch is to tree

ground is to dirt

bird is to nest

fly is to bird

Correct answer:

branch is to tree

Explanation:

Since waves are part of oceans, we need to pick out an answer in which the first thing is part of the second thing. While "birds are to nests" might seem like a good answer, because birds are found in nests, birds are not a part of nests, so "birds are to nests" can't be the right answer. "Branch is to tree" is the correct answer because a branch is a part of a tree, like waves are a part of an ocean.

Example Question #64 : Part/Whole, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Sailboat is to sail as __________.

Possible Answers:

conversation is to interruption

insistence is to stubbornness

mop is to handle

antique is to old

bristles are to toothbrush

Correct answer:

mop is to handle

Explanation:

A sail is part of a sailboat, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is a part of the first word. While "mop is to handle" and "bristles are to toothbrush" might each look like a potentially correct answer, a toothbrush is not a part of bristles, so "bristles are to toothbrush" cannot be the correct answer. A handle is part of a mop, however, just like a sail is part of a sailboat, so "handle is to mop" is the correct answer.

Example Question #61 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Hands are to fingers as feet are to __________.

Possible Answers:

toes

elbows

fingernails

toenails

ears

Correct answer:

toes

Explanation:

Hands have fingers attached to them, so to solve the analogy, you need to pick out the answer choice which describes the appendages attached to feet. So, "toes" is the correct answer.

Example Question #62 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Knee is to leg as elbow is to __________

Possible Answers:

feet

hand

catch

hold

arm

Correct answer:

arm

Explanation:

The knee is a part of the leg that allows the leg to bend. So to solve this analogy you have to determine what whole thing the elbow is a part of. The correct answer is therefore "arm," because the elbow is a part of the arm that allows it to bend, just as the knee allowed the leg to bend.

Example Question #63 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Letter is to word as word is to __________.

Possible Answers:

write

painting

paper

sentence

typewriter

Correct answer:

sentence

Explanation:

Letters make up words, so to solve this analogy, you need to pick out the answer choice that describes something that words make up. Words make up sentences just as letters make up words, so "sentence" is the correct answer.

Example Question #64 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Sentences are to letters as songs are to __________.

Possible Answers:

instruments 

sound

pages 

notes

musicians 

Correct answer:

notes

Explanation:

Individual letters must be combined to create words, which are gathered together into meaningful sentences. In the same manner, individual notes must be combined to create lines of music in a song. 

Example Question #69 : Part/Whole, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete the analogy.

Magazine is to article as ___________.

Possible Answers:

pen is to paper

journalist is to interview

homework is to student

essay is to computer

book is to chapter

Correct answer:

book is to chapter

Explanation:

To complete the analogy, you first need to determine the relationship between the initial pairing. An "article" is a part of a "magazine." Therefore the answer must be in the form of "'whole' is to 'part.'" A "chapter" is a part of a book, so that must be the correct answer.

Example Question #70 : Part/Whole, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete the analogy.

Wheel is to car as __________.

Possible Answers:

driveway is to highway

seatbelt is to glove compartment

house is to laundry

garage is to house

towel is to razor

Correct answer:

garage is to house

Explanation:

To complete the analogy, you first need to determine the relationship between the initial pairing. A "wheel" is a part of a car. Therefore the answer must be in the form of "'part' is to 'whole.'" A "garage" is a part of a house, so that must be the correct answer.

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