SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Voracious is to greedy as slovenly is to __________.

Possible Answers:

grumpy

foolish

messy

unkind

tired

Correct answer:

messy

Explanation:

"Voracious" means greedy, having a large appetite. "Voracious" and "greedy" are synonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices is a synonym of "slovenly." The correct answer is "messy." "Slovenly" means having a messy and dirty appearance.

Example Question #222 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Pristine is to clean as parched is to __________.

Possible Answers:

wet

firm

soft

dry

dirty

Correct answer:

dry

Explanation:

"Pristine" means completely spotless, immaculate, totally clean without any mess. So, "pristine" and "clean" are synonyms. Which of these words is a synonym of "parched?" The correct answer is "dry," because "parched" means dried out due to heat and lack of water.

Example Question #223 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fortuitous is to lucky as gallant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

brave

generous

absent

wicked

alive

Correct answer:

brave

Explanation:

"Fortuitous" means fortunate, lucky, owed to good luck. It is therefore a synonym of "lucky." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "gallant." Well, "gallant" means chivalrous, honorable, brave and heroic. Additionally, "wicked" means evil; "generous" means giving and kind; "absent" means not present, not here.

Example Question #224 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Overt is to blatant as __________ is to avoid.

Possible Answers:

avert

convert

revert

invert

advert

Correct answer:

avert

Explanation:

The adjective "overt" means obvious, easily noticeable, not hidden, or "blatant." These two words are synonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words has the same meaning as "avoid." The correct answer is "avert" which means avoid, turn away from. Additionally, "convert" means change; "revert" means change back to a previous state; an "advert" is a commercial; "invert" means flip upside down, turn to face the opposite direction.

Example Question #225 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Penitent is to __________ as lethargic is to sluggish.

Possible Answers:

precocious

dormant

contrite

audacious

poignant

Correct answer:

contrite

Explanation:

"Lethargic" and "sluggish" are synonyms of one another, both words mean lacking energy, feeling tired. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "penitent." "Penitent" means feeling sorry or wanting to make amends for something done wrong. This is very similar in meaning to "contrite." Additionally, "precocious" means gifted, unusually talented for one so young; "dormant" means inactive, asleep, at rest; "audacious" means bold, risky, fearless; "poignant" means making one feel emotional or 'moved'.

Example Question #226 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Penchant is to __________ as legitimate is to valid.

Possible Answers:

fondness

memento

clemency

tirade

adulation

Correct answer:

fondness

Explanation:

"Legitimate" and "valid" are synonyms, both words mean officially acceptable, not fake. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is the best available synonym for "penchant." Well, a "penchant" is a preference, a particular liking of something, a fondness. Additionally, a "memento" is a souvenir; "adulation" is praise and respect; "clemency" is mercy, forgiveness, official pardon for a crime; a "tirade" is a long and angry speech directed at something.

Example Question #227 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Preposterous is to absurd as grotesque is to __________.

Possible Answers:

relevant

tame

dynamic

awkward

disgusting

Correct answer:

disgusting

Explanation:

The adjective "preposterous" means ridiculous, so silly as to be hard to believe, absurd. "Preposterous" and "absurd" are therefore synonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "grotesque." Well, "grotesque" means repulsive, gross, or disgusting. Additionally, "dynamic" means having energy, powerful; "tame" means not wild, domesticated, not dangerous; "relevant" means related to the matter at hand; "awkward" means uncomfortable in social situations.

Example Question #228 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fission is to __________ as fusion is to join.

Possible Answers:

predict

split

observe

present

meet

Correct answer:

split

Explanation:

"Fusion" is the process by which two things are "joined." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "fission" is the process of. The correct answer is that "fission" is the process by which two things are "split."

Example Question #229 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Desist is to halt as __________ is to trim.

Possible Answers:

gall

befuddle

prune

linger

confine

Correct answer:

prune

Explanation:

"Desist" and "halt" are synonyms, both words mean stop, stop doing something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym for "trim." Well, "trim" means cut, make shorter. So, the correct answer is "prune." Additionally, "linger" means stay behind; "gall" means irritate, annoy; "confine" means imprison; "befuddle" means confuse.

Example Question #230 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Obliterate is to __________ as relegate is to demote.

Possible Answers:

stare

frown

destroy

provide

cancel

Correct answer:

destroy

Explanation:

To begin with "relegate" and "demote" both mean to move something to an inferior position, to make of inferior status. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out the best possible synonym for "obliterate." Well, "obliterate" means eradicate, completely destroy.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors