SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Homonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #386 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Sight is to site as __________ is to dye.

Possible Answers:

ink

color

die

vision

hearing

Correct answer:

die

Explanation:

In this set of problems we are going to practice "homonyms." "Homonyms" are words that sound the same, or are spelled the same, but which have different meanings. An example of a "homonym" is "weigh and way." These two words have different meanings, yet sound exactly the same. In this problem "sight" and "site" sound the same but have different meanings, the first refers to seeing, vision and the second refers to location, a place. So, which of these words sounds the same as "dye?" The correct answer is "die."

Example Question #387 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Some is to __________ as tide is to tied.

Possible Answers:

math

loose

all

sum

shape

Correct answer:

sum

Explanation:

"Tied" means joined together with something (like string) and "tide" means the pattern of the rising and falling of the sea. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words sounds the same as "some." The correct answer is "sum," which means total amount when all parts are added up, product when the numbers are added together. Additionally, "loose" means not tight.

Example Question #388 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Stair is to stare as __________ is to vein.

Possible Answers:

aqueduct

vessel

artery

vain

defiant

Correct answer:

vain

Explanation:

"Stare" (to look at intently, to look at for a long time) and "stair" are "homonyms," because they sound the same. So, which of these words sounds the same as "vein" (vessel used to carry blood around the body)? The correct answer is "vain," which means self-absorbed, obsessed with one's own appearance. Additionally, an "artery" is another vessel used to transport blood around the body; an "aqueduct" is a pipe used to carry water; "defiant" means not cooperative, resistant, not giving up in the face of difficulty.

Example Question #389 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Coarse is to __________ as gild is to guild.

Possible Answers:

rough

delicate

course

loud

silent

Correct answer:

course

Explanation:

A "guild" is an organization of people with a shared trade or interest. To "gild" is to cover with gold, to give gold to. So, these two words are "homonyms" because they have different meanings, but sound the same. Which of these words sounds the same as "coarse" (rough, not fine, prickly)? The correct answer is "course," which means route, direction, expected path something is going to take. Additionally, "delicate" means soft, fine, easily harmed or broken.

Example Question #390 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Council is to counsel as __________ is to feet.

Possible Answers:

goals

warning

shoes

advice

feat

Correct answer:

feat

Explanation:

A "council" is a meeting to discuss issues or give advice, whereas to "counsel" means to give advice to. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "feet." The correct answer is "feat," which means accomplishment, something succeeded in doing.

Example Question #391 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Baron is to __________ as hart is to heart.

Possible Answers:

knight

earl

duke

barren

lord

Correct answer:

barren

Explanation:

A "hart" is a male deer. "Hart" and "heart" are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "baron." Well, a "baron" is a member of the aristocracy, a nobleman. The correct answer is "barren" which means empty, not producing life. Additionally, the other answer choices are all other titles within the aristocratic system.

Example Question #392 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Currant is to current as gait is to __________.

Possible Answers:

obsolete

style

gate

modern

walk

Correct answer:

gate

Explanation:

A "currant" is a small dried fruit and "current" means modern, belonging to this time period, contemporary. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "gait" (a person's manner of walking). The correct answer is, of course, "gate." Additionally, "obsolete" means outdated, replaced by something newer and better.

Example Question #393 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fair is to fare as __________ is to hey.

Possible Answers:

hello

price

greeting

hay

value

Correct answer:

hay

Explanation:

"Fair" means equal, balanced and "fare" means how much something costs. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "hey" (a greeting, hello). The correct answer is "hay" (grass, straw).

Example Question #394 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Leak is to leek as manner is to __________.

Possible Answers:

manor

polite

soak

character

vegetable

Correct answer:

manor

Explanation:

A "leek" is a type of vegetable, to "leak" is to allow liquid or gas to get out, to allow something to seep out through a hole. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to determine the best available homonym for "manner" (how someone carries themselves, their behavior and character). The correct answer is "manor," which is a lord's house. Additionally, "soak" means make wet, drench; "polite" means not rude, well-mannered.

Example Question #395 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Loan is to __________ as raise is to raze.

Possible Answers:

ascend

lone

destroy

descend

borrow

Correct answer:

lone

Explanation:

To "raze" means to destroy, to completely tear down, whereas to "raise" means to lift up, to elevate. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds most like "loan" (give money to, allow to borrow money on the condition that the person pays you back). The correct answer is "lone," which means solitary, alone, not with others. Additionally, "ascend" means go up, rise and "descend" means go down, fall.

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