SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Homonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Lessen is to __________ as please is to pleas.

Possible Answers:

lesson

plead

alter

enhance

diminish

Correct answer:

lesson

Explanation:

"Please" and "pleas" are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the most like "lessen." The correct answer is "lesson." To help you further, "lessen" means reduce the impact of, diminish, make smaller, make less; "plea" means appeal, request in a dramatic fashion, ask something in a desperate way. Additionally, "enhance" means add to and make better or larger; "alter" means adjust, change; "diminish" means make smaller; "plead" means beg, urge, ask for desperately.

Example Question #72 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Sole is to soul as thyme is to __________.

Possible Answers:

time

foot

spirit

sage

herb

Correct answer:

time

Explanation:

"Soul" means the spiritual part of a human's identity and "sole" means the bottom of a person's foot. These two words are "homonyms" because they have different meanings, yet sound the same. So, which of these answer choices sounds the same as "thyme" (a herb used to flavor cooking)? The correct answer is "time." Additionally, "sage" is another herb used in cooking, however it also means wise when used as an adjective.

Example Question #73 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Peace is to piece as __________ is to rows.

Possible Answers:

boat

oar

flower

rose

fall

Correct answer:

rose

Explanation:

"Peace" and "piece" are two words that are spelled differently and yet sound the same. We call these kinds of words "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds like "rows." The correct answer is "rose."

Example Question #74 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Straight is to strait as tense is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ships

relaxed

tents

camping

curved

Correct answer:

tents

Explanation:

"Straight" and "strait" are two words that sound the same, but have different meanings. They are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sound the same as "tense." The correct answer is "tents." Additionally, "tense" means not relaxed, stressful; "curved" means bent, not straight; "relaxed" means calm, not stressed.

Example Question #75 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to horse as tail is to tale.

Possible Answers:

Story

Farm

Stable

Cart

Hoarse

Correct answer:

Hoarse

Explanation:

"Tail" and "tale" are two words that sound the same, yet have different meanings. They are homonyms. So, which of these words sounds the same as "horse?" The correct answer is "hoarse," which means (of a voice) harsh and rough sounding.

Example Question #76 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Principal is to principle as tea is to __________.

Possible Answers:

drink

first

tee

teacher

coffee

Correct answer:

tee

Explanation:

A "principal" is someone in-charge of managing a school, the head of a school. And, "principle" means coming first, of the most importance, primary. These two words sound the same, but have different meanings, they are "homonyms." The correct answer is therefore "tee," because this word sounds the same as "tea."

Example Question #77 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

War is to __________ as whine is to wine.

Possible Answers:

soldier

battle

clothes

wore

complain

Correct answer:

wore

Explanation:

"Whine" (to complain, to moan about something) and "wine" are "homonyms" because they sound the same, but have different meanings. So, which of these words sounds the same as "war" but has a different meaning? The correct answer is "wore" (as in the past tense of wear). Additionally, "battle" means fight, conflict.

Example Question #78 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Grate is to great as __________ is to mail.

Possible Answers:

male

metal

author

good

letter

Correct answer:

male

Explanation:

"Grate" and "great" sound the same, yet have different meanings. This makes them "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "mail." The correct answer is "male." Additionally, an "author" is someone who writes a book, someone who has written something.

Example Question #79 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Son is to __________ as two is to too.

Possible Answers:

child

light

sun

daughter

three

Correct answer:

sun

Explanation:

"Two" and "too" are two words that sound the same, but have different meanings. They are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "son." The correct answer is "sun."

Example Question #80 : Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Cent is to __________ as flew is to flu

Possible Answers:

fly

scent

smell

dollar

sick

Correct answer:

scent

Explanation:

"Flew" (the past tense of fly) and "flu" (a common type of sickness) are "homonyms." So, which of these words sounds the same, but has a different meaning, as "cent?" The correct answer is "scent" (which refers to the smell of something).

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors