SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #8 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Unbelievable is to plausible as robust is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sleepy 

depressed 

healthy 

unhealthy 

energetic 

Correct answer:

unhealthy 

Explanation:

"Unbelievable" is an antonym of plausible, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best antonym for robust. "Robust" means in good shape, healthy, so the correct antonym is unhealthy.

Example Question #9 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Novice is to expert as subjective is to __________.

Possible Answers:

objective 

youthful

wizened 

predictive 

invective

Correct answer:

objective 

Explanation:

A "novice" is the opposite of an "expert," so to solve this analogy you have to find the opposite of subjective. An opinion or feeling based on individual thoughts or perception is "subjective;" an opinion based on facts and evidence is "objective." For clarification, "invective" means criticism or tirade; "wizened" means old and wise.

Example Question #10 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Insipid is to fascinating as hovel is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hillside 

port 

mansion 

hamlet 

forest 

Correct answer:

mansion 

Explanation:

"Insipid" means boring and as such is an antonym of fascinating. To solve this analogy you have to determine which of the answer choices is the best antonym for hovel. "Hovel" means a small house, a shack, so the best antonym is “mansion.” For clarification, a "port" is a harbor.

Example Question #291 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Imperious is to subservient as meticulous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mirthless 

nonchalant

merciless

careless 

arrogant 

Correct answer:

careless 

Explanation:

"Imperious" means dominant or authoritative and as such is an antonym of subservient. "Subservient" means accustomed to serving. To solve this analogy you have to identify the best available antonym for meticulous. To be "meticulous" means to be very careful and thorough, so the correct antonym is “careless.” For clarification, "nonchalant" describes someone who does not care; "mirthless" means without mirth, miserable; "merciless" means not showing mercy, vengeful.

Example Question #292 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Authentic is to fake as contradict is to __________.

Possible Answers:

demand 

oppose 

most 

argue 

support 

Correct answer:

support 

Explanation:

"Authentic" means genuine or real, so it is an antonym of "fake." To solve this analogy you need to identify the best antonym for contradict. To "contradict" someone is to argue with them, so the correct antonym is “support.”

Example Question #292 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Allay is to exacerbate as baneful is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Creative 

Imaginative 

Destructive 

Confusing 

Perplexing 

Correct answer:

Creative 

Explanation:

Allay means to make calmer or less severe; exacerbate means to make worse or more intense. They are antonyms. To solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym of baneful. Baneful means destructive, so the correct antonym is “creative.” For clarification, perplexing and confusing are synonyms of one another.

Example Question #294 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Monitor is to ignore as detrimental is to __________.

Possible Answers:

tactless 

menacing 

hurtful 

helpless 

helpful 

Correct answer:

helpful 

Explanation:

If you "monitor" something you are paying close attention to it, as such it is an antonym of ignore. To solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym for detrimental. "Detrimental" means hurtful, so the best antonym if “helpful.” For clarification, "tactless" means lacking concern about hurting people; "menacing" means threatening.

Example Question #295 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Tenuous is to certain as fortified is to __________.

Possible Answers:

weakened 

abridged 

elongated 

reinforced

shortened

Correct answer:

weakened 

Explanation:

Something that is "tenuous" is uncertain, so it is an antonym of "certain." In order to solve this analogy you need to find the best synonym for fortified. "Fortified" means reinforced or strengthened, so the correct antonym is “weakened.” For clarification, "elongated" means made longer; "abridged" is a synonym of "shortened."

Example Question #296 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Life is to death as healthy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Hungry 

Verbose 

Ailing 

Remorseful 

Mediocre 

Correct answer:

Ailing 

Explanation:

"Life" is an antonym of "death," so to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of the answer choices is an antonym of "healthy." The correct answer is “ailing,” a word that means sick or unwell. For clarification, "mediocre" means average, "remorseful" means full of regret and guilt, and "verbose" means lengthy or long-winded.

Example Question #297 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Terse is to lengthy as frigid is to ­__________.

Possible Answers:

Lukewarm 

Stifling 

Divisive 

Tepid 

Unreasonable 

Correct answer:

Stifling 

Explanation:

"Terse" means brief and is an antonym of "lengthy." Therefore, to solve this analogy, you have to identify the best antonym of "frigid." Frigid means very cold, so the answer choice that is its best antonym is “stifling,” which means very hot or restrictive. For clarification, "divisive" means troublesome or disruptive, and "lukewarm" and "tepid" are synonyms that mean of a moderate temperature that is not very hot or cold.

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