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 #1 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Lightning is to electricity as tornado is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fire

wind

dust

water

snow

Correct answer:

wind

Explanation:

Since lightning is a natural form of electricity that can be dangerous, we need to pick out of what a tornado is a natural, dangerous form. Since a "tornado" is a dangerous wind vortex, "wind" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Origami is to paper as tapestry is to __________.

Possible Answers:

electricity

metal

dance

cloth

clay

Correct answer:

cloth

Explanation:

“Origami” is defined as the Japanese art of paper folding, so a piece of origami would be made out of paper. That means that we need to pick out an answer choice that describes the material out of which a tapestry is made. While “cloth,” “clay,” and “metal” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “tapestry” is defined as a thick piece of cloth with intricate illustrations woven into its design. Because a tapestry is made of cloth just as a piece of origami is made of paper, “tapestry” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Bookshelf is to wood as window is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sunlight

glass

curtain

sill

pane

Correct answer:

glass

Explanation:

A bookshelf might be made of wood, so to solve this analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that is a material that a window might be made of. The only answer choice that makes sense in this capacity is "glass," since windows are made of glass.

Example Question #4 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Thicket is to bushes as __________ is to trees.

Possible Answers:

aqueduct

plateau

grove

harbor

stream

Correct answer:

grove

Explanation:

A "thicket" is a collection of bushes growing together. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words means a collection of trees growing together. The correct answer is a "grove." Additionally, a "plateau" is a flat area of elevated land; an "aqueduct" is a pipe that transfers water; a "stream" is a small river.

Example Question #5 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Cashmere is to clothing as __________ is to building.

Possible Answers:

weave

loom

edifice

architecture

marble

Correct answer:

marble

Explanation:

"Cashmere" is a material used in "clothing." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a material used for "building." The correct answer is "marble." Additionally, "architecture" refers to the art of designing buildings; a "loom" is a machine used to "weave" fabric; an "edifice" is another name for a building.

Example Question #6 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Arsenal is to weapon as foliage is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sand

leaf

child

pet

brick

Correct answer:

leaf

Explanation:

A collection of "weapons" is known as an "arsenal." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is something that when taken collectively is called "foliage." The correct answer is "leaf." "Foliage" is a collection of plant leaves.

Example Question #7 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Caffeine is to coffee as __________ is to cigarettes.

Possible Answers:

carcinogenic

drinking

smoking

nicotine

iodine

Correct answer:

nicotine

Explanation:

"Caffeine" is found in abundance in "coffee," it is what causes "coffee" to give you energy. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is found in "cigarettes." The correct answer is "nicotine." "Nicotine" is what makes "cigarettes" highly addictive. Additionally, "carcinogenic" means cancer causing. There are many "carcinogens" in "cigarettes" and some too in "coffee."

Example Question #8 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Glacier is to ice as orchestra is to __________.

Possible Answers:

athletes

practice

water

musicians

brick

Correct answer:

musicians

Explanation:

A "glacier" is a slow moving large object comprised of "ice." To solve this analogy you therefore need to determine what it is that "comprises" (makes up, constitutes) an "orchestra." An "orchestra" is an arrangement of classical "musicians" who play songs together. So, the correct answer is "musicians."

Example Question #9 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Lagoon is to water as __________ is to grass.

Possible Answers:

plant

green

cow

knoll

seed

Correct answer:

knoll

Explanation:

A "lagoon" is a pool of "water." A "lagoon" is made of "water," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is made of "grass." The correct answer is "knoll." A "knoll" is a small, grassy hill.

Example Question #10 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy

Single is to one as triple is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Triplets 

Alone 

Four

Three

Five 

Correct answer:

Three

Explanation:

Single means solitary, alone, or just the one. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine which answer choice matches up in a similar manner with the word "triple." "Triple" means to increase three-fold or of or regarding three of something, so the correct answer is “three."

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