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 #501 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Corrode is to metal as burn is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sun

paper

ashes

water

fire

Correct answer:

paper

Explanation:

"Corrode" is a verb that means destroy a metal via a chemical reaction, and metal is something that can be corroded. So, because the next verb is "burn," we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun indicating something flammable. "Ashes" might look like a potentially correct answer, because many things are reduced to ash when burnt, but ashes themselves are not flammable, so "ashes" cannot be the correct answer. While "fire" and "sun" also have to do with burning, "paper" is the only answer choice that is a noun that indicates a flammable object. So, "paper" is the correct answer, because just as metal can be corroded, paper can be burned.

Example Question #502 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Vaccination is to disease as helmet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cut

destitution

head

bicycle

concussion

Correct answer:

concussion

Explanation:

A "vaccination" is an inoculation intended to prevent one from getting a specific disease, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of these answer choices is prevented by a helmet. The correct answer is “concussion,” or confusion or unconsciousness caused by one's head being hit. For clarification, "destitution" is another word for excessive poverty.

Example Question #503 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Doctor is to patient as teacher is to __________.

Possible Answers:

nurse 

student 

parent 

officer 

politician

Correct answer:

student 

Explanation:

A doctor helps patients, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of these answer choices is a group of people helped by teachers. The correct answer, of course, is “student.”

Example Question #504 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Vacuum is to carpet as washer is to __________.

Possible Answers:

clean

clothing

water

brick

tile

Correct answer:

clothing

Explanation:

One uses a vacuum to clean carpet, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what type of material or objects a washer is used to clean. Of the five answer choices, three are tangible objects: “clothing,” “tile,” and “brick.” Because a washer is used to clean clothing just like a vacuum is used to clean carpet, “clothing” is the correct answer.

Example Question #505 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Past is to nostalgia as future is to __________.

Possible Answers:

excitement

retirement

ruse

wistful

regretful

Correct answer:

excitement

Explanation:

"Nostalgia" is a positive feeling related to the past or a fond memory of the past. To solve this analogy, you need to consider which of the answer choices relates to a positive feeling about the future. Feeling "regretful" means not being happy about choices made in the past, so that cannot be the correct answer. Likewise, "wistful" is a synonym of "nostalgia" and relates to a feeling about the past. A "ruse" is a deception, a trick. The correct answer is "excitement," which is a feeling of happiness about something that is going to happen in the future. You might consider that a "retirement" is something that might happen to you in the future; however, it does not match with the specific relationship established in this analogy.

Example Question #8 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Speakers are to ears as __________.

Possible Answers:

monitor is to eyes

bracelets are to wrists

socks are to feet

gloves are to hands

necklace is to neck

Correct answer:

monitor is to eyes

Explanation:

The best answer choice is "monitor is to eye," as information is being passed from a device to one's sensory organs, just like speakers pass information to ears. The other choices pair articles of clothing or accessories to body parts.

Example Question #506 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Refute is to false as concede is to __________.

Possible Answers:

nebulous

gregarious

true

wild

supportive

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

"Refute" is a verb that means "prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove." One would likely refute something that is false, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes something that one might concede. "Concede" is a verb that means "admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it." "True" is a potential answer choice, so "true" is the correct answer because just as one might refute something that is false, one might concede something that is true.

Example Question #10 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Protractor is to angle as ruler is to __________.

Possible Answers:

length

texture

volume

taste

color

Correct answer:

length

Explanation:

A "protractor" is defined as "an instrument for measuring angles, typically in the form of a flat semicircle marked with degrees along the curved edge," so since protractors measure angles, we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what a ruler measures. While "volume" might look like a potentially correct answer, rules don't measure volume directly, but can help one collect data in order to calcite the volume of something. "Length" is the correct answer because just as protractors measure angles, rulers measure length.

Example Question #507 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Stenographer is to speech as accountant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

philosophy

education

construction

architecture

finances

Correct answer:

finances

Explanation:

A "stenographer" is someone who is charged with recording what other people have said. A "stenographer" is therefore primarily concerned with "speech." To solve this analogy you need to determine what an "accountant" is primarily concerned with for their job. The correct answer is "finances" or "the balance of money in a company."

Example Question #508 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Anatomy is to __________ as astronomy is to star.

Possible Answers:

bone

history

literature

chemistry

physics

Correct answer:

bone

Explanation:

"Astronomy" is the study of the universe and celestial bodies. Included in the list of things studied by an "astronomer" are "stars." So, to solve this analogy you first need to determine that "anatomy" refers to the study of the composition of the human body. And then you need to consider which of these answer choices fits under that description. The correct answer is "bone."

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