SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Homonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Sight is to site as __________ is to dye.

Possible Answers:

hearing

die

ink

color

vision

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 #62 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Some is to __________ as tide is to tied.

Possible Answers:

math

shape

sum

all

loose

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 #63 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Stair is to stare as __________ is to vein.

Possible Answers:

defiant

aqueduct

artery

vessel

vain

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 #64 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Coarse is to __________ as gild is to guild.

Possible Answers:

course

rough

loud

delicate

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 #65 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Council is to counsel as __________ is to feet.

Possible Answers:

feat

advice

shoes

warning

goals

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 #66 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Baron is to __________ as hart is to heart.

Possible Answers:

duke

earl

barren

knight

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 #67 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Currant is to current as gait is to __________.

Possible Answers:

obsolete

walk

gate

style

modern

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 #68 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Fair is to fare as __________ is to hey.

Possible Answers:

price

hello

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 #69 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Leak is to leek as manner is to __________.

Possible Answers:

soak

character

vegetable

manor

polite

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 #70 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Loan is to __________ as raise is to raze.

Possible Answers:

lone

descend

ascend

borrow

destroy

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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