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 #251 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Overhear is to eavesdrop as __________ is to bombard.

Possible Answers:

exchange

leap

lend

pelt

vend

Correct answer:

pelt

Explanation:

"Overhear" means to hear someone else talking when they do not mean you to. This is very similar in meaning to "eavesdrop," so these two words are synonyms. Which of these answers is a synonym of "bombard?" Well, "bombard" means to relentlessly attack with something. This is closest in meaning to "pelt" which means continuously or savagely throw or attack someone with something. Additionally, "leap" means jump high or far; "lend" means allow to borrow; "vend" means sell; "exchange" means trade, to give one thing and receive something different in return.

Example Question #391 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Jubilee is to anniversary as __________ is to manor.

Possible Answers:

cemetery

asylum

hospice

hovel

estate

Correct answer:

estate

Explanation:

A "jubilee" is another word for an "anniversary." Although "jubilee" usually suggests an "anniversary" of particular note, like fifty years. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "manor." Well, a "manor" is an opulent house owned by someone wealthy or a member of the nobility. The correct answer is therefore "estate," as this has the same definition. Additionally, an "asylum" is a sanctuary or a home for people who are mentally ill; a "hospice" is a place where sick people, particularly sick and old people, are cared for; a "cemetery" is a place where bodies are buried, a graveyard; a "hovel" is a shack, a small and derelict house.

Example Question #392 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Fathomless is to bottomless as __________ is to accountable.

Possible Answers:

legible

edible

emaciated

liable

portly

Correct answer:

liable

Explanation:

"Fathomless" and "bottomless" are synonyms of one another, both words mean having no bottom, so deep as to be never ending. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "accountable." Well, "accountable" means responsible for, required to explain or justify actions and decisions. This is the same meaning as "liable." Additionally, "edible" means able to be eaten; "legible" means able to be read; "portly" means stout, fat; "emaciated" means staving and incredibly skinny, gaunt, skeletal.

Example Question #393 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Infernal is to __________ as mercantile is to commercial.

Possible Answers:

haggard

poised

pious

wretched

enterprising

Correct answer:

wretched

Explanation:

"Mercantile" and "commercial" are synonyms of one another, both words mean related to the exchange of goods, related to the buying and selling of things. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "infernal." Well, "infernal" means hellish, annoying and boring and unappealing. This is very similar in meaning to "wretched." Additionally, "pious" means devout, deeply devoted to religion; "poised" means able to control oneself in otherwise stressful situations, calm and controlled; "enterprising" means hard-working and innovative; "haggard" means having the tired and unattractive appearance of someone who works too hard.

Example Question #394 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Handicap is to __________ as migraine is to headache.

Possible Answers:

letter

speaker

narrative

medicine

disability

Correct answer:

disability

Explanation:

A "migraine" is a serious "headache." To solve this analogy you therefore need to determine which of these is a synonym of "handicap." Well, a "handicap" is something that makes someone's situation more difficult and makes success harder to achieve. This is identical in meaning to "disability." Additionally, "narrative" means constructed story.

Example Question #395 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Alumnus is to __________ as minstrel is to bard.

Possible Answers:

surgeon

benefactor

graduate

pedagogue

supplicant

Correct answer:

graduate

Explanation:

"Minstrel" and "bard" are synonyms of one another, both words describe a traveling musician who compiles popular and poetic songs. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "alumnus." Well, "alumnus" means person who has finished studying someone and has "graduated." So, the correct answer is "graduate." Additionally, "pedagogue" means teacher; a "surgeon" is a doctor who performs operations; a "benefactor" is someone who gives or donates to others, someone who finances something; a "supplicant" is someone who begs passionately for what they want.

Example Question #396 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Flabbergast is to astonish as __________ is to stranded.

Possible Answers:

legendary

ultimate

esoteric

marooned

inclement

Correct answer:

marooned

Explanation:

"Flabbergast" and "astonish" are synonyms of one another, both words mean to shock and surprise someone. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "stranded." Well, "stranded" means stuck somewhere without being able to get away. This is closest in meaning to "marooned." "Marooned" usually suggests being stranded on a deserted island. Additionally, "inclement" means (of weather) severe; "ultimate" means best, greatest, final; "legendary" means having the status of a legend, awesome; "esoteric" means (of knowledge) known by only a privileged few, arcane.

Example Question #397 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Acclimatize is to __________ as backslide is to relapse.

Possible Answers:

mourn

founder

reject

adapt

acquiesce

Correct answer:

adapt

Explanation:

"Backslide" and "relapse" are synonyms of one another, both words mean to return to some harmful activity that you had tried to quit. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "acclimatize." Well, "acclimatize" means to "adapt" to new surroundings and try to fit in. Additionally, "founder" means to deliberately sink a ship; "mourn" means express or feel sadness about the loss of something; "acquiesce" means give in to the demands of arguments of someone else.

Example Question #398 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Brook is to __________ as demerit is to fault.

Possible Answers:

jungle

hovel

mansion

citadel

stream

Correct answer:

stream

Explanation:

A "demerit" is a "fault," something that is wrong with something or a reason why something is wrong. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "brook?" Well, a "brook" is a small river, a small body of running water. This is the same meaning as "stream." Additionally, a "citadel" is a fortress, a building designed to protect against attack; a "mansion" is a large and expensive house; a "hovel" is a shack, a small and derelict house.

Example Question #399 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Bisect is to divide as __________ is to imagine.

Possible Answers:

embed

envision

create

shun

welcome

Correct answer:

envision

Explanation:

"Bisect" means to split something in half. This is similar in meaning to "divide." So, which of these words is a synonym of "imagine?" The correct answer is "envision," which means to imagine, to picture a possible future or outcome. Additionally, "embed" means fix into something, stick into; "shun" means ignore, reject, ostracize.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors