All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Director is to actors as maestro is to ___________.
faculty
team
class
family
orchestra
orchestra
A "maestro" is the conductor of an orchestra. Just as a director organizes and directs actors in a production, a maestro directs an orchestra. The rest of the answer options refer to groups, but not the leaders of those groups.
Example Question #2 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy
Mariner is to __________ as pilot is to fly.
sail
park
carry
run
ride
sail
A "pilot" is someone who operates a piece of machinery, (usually) someone who flies a plane. So, an action undertaken by a "pilot" is to "fly," which of these is an action undertaken by a "mariner"? Well, a "mariner" is a sailor, so the correct answer is "sail."
Example Question #3 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Hand is to __________ as foot is to wander.
sprint
grasp
finger
trot
leap
grasp
A "foot" might be used to "wander," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is something that a hand might be used to do. The correct answer is "grasp" which means grab onto, hold onto. Additionally, "leap" means jump high; "sprint" means run fast; "trot" means (when describing a four-legged animal like a horse or a dog) to walk slightly faster.
Example Question #2 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Mentor is to __________ as orator is to articulate.
delete
reside
impugn
relocate
advise
advise
An "orator" is a gifted and frequent public speaker. An "orator" is likely to be able to "articulate" complicated ideas. In this instance "articulate" means express complex ideas using simple or appealing language. So, which of these is something that a "mentor" is likely to be able to do? Well, a "mentor" is someone who provides guidance and advice to someone with less experience. So, the correct answer is "advise." Additionally, "relocate" means move; "reside" means occupy, take up space, live in; "impugn" means slander, talk negatively about, attack the reputation of.
Example Question #3 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Freighter is to transport as oracle is to __________.
splice
postpone
venerate
gall
prognosticate
prognosticate
A "freighter" is a ship, or other vehicle used to move goods from one place to another. Its purpose is to "transport" things. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that an "oracle" does. Well, an "oracle" is a person or thing that predicts the future. So, the correct answer is "prognosticate" which means to make a prophecy about the future, to state what will happen later. Additionally, "postpone" means delay until later; "gall" means annoy, irritate; "venerate" means deeply respect and honor; "splice" means join together.
Example Question #4 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Curtsy is to respect as __________ is to injury.
hobble
vex
juxtapose
surmise
deceive
hobble
A "curtsy" is the act of bending one's knee in deference. It is a sign of "respect." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action that is a sign of having an injury. The correct answer is "hobble," which means to walk in an awkward fashion such as to suggest pain. Additionally, "juxtapose" means compare two things side by side; "vex" means annoy and confuse and anger; "surmise" means determine something is true from the evidence; "deceive" means lie to in order to trick.
Example Question #5 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Detective is to __________ as medic is to heal.
abolish
ameliorate
anchor
interrogate
instigate
interrogate
A "medic" is a doctor, someone who helps to "heal" people. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action undertaken by a "detective." A "detective" is someone who solves crimes. So, the correct answer is "interrogate" which means to ask questions of a suspect to determine their guilt. Additionally, "ameliorate" means soothe, make better, provide relief for; "anchor" means fix in place; "abolish" means get rid of, do away with; "instigate" means bring about, cause to happen, start a conflict.
Example Question #6 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Chameleon is to __________ as wolf is to hunt.
fish
fly
disguise
sprint
solve
disguise
An action generally associated with "wolves" is that they "hunt." So, which of these is an action generally associated with a "chameleon?" The correct answer is that "chameleons" are famous for being able to "disguise" or "camouflage" themselves. Additionally, "sprint" means run fast.
Example Question #7 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Sleuth is to investigate as wretch is to __________.
allude
atrophy
inspire
bemoan
disorient
bemoan
A "sleuth" is another name for a "detective." So, an action likely to be undertaken by a "sleuth" is to "investigate." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action likely to be undertaken by a "wretch." Well, a "wretch" is a miserable, pitiable person who is suffering. So, the correct answer is "bemoan," which means express sorrow or frustration with. Additionally, "allude" means hint at, suggest; "disorient" means make feel lost or confused; "atrophy" means weaken over time due to lack of use.
Example Question #6 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Peddler is to sell as vandal is to _____________.
create
destroy
buy
examine
improve
destroy
A "peddler" is someone who travels around "selling" goods to people, often goods of dubious quality. So, if a "peddler" "sells," what does a "vandal" do? Well, a "vandal" is someone who goes around vandalizing things, someone who "destroys" or mars other people's property.