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 #621 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Mortal is to __________ as God is to eternal.

Possible Answers:

interminable

voluminous

fleeting

dissolute

rakish

Correct answer:

fleeting

Explanation:

The life of a God is "eternal" (lasting forever), so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an adjective that describes the life of a "mortal" (a being that can die or be killed). The correct answer is "fleeting," or lasting a short time, not eternal. Additionally, "rakish" means charming, dashing, attractive; "voluminous" means taking up a large amount of space; "interminable" means never ending, eternal; "dissolute" means having a lack of morals, depraved and badly behaved.

Example Question #622 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Desert is to __________ as rainforest is to fecund.

Possible Answers:

sand

saturated

windy

arid

lively

Correct answer:

arid

Explanation:

The adjective "fecund" means abundant, containing lots of life, capable of producing lots of life. A quality of a "rainforest" is to be "fecund." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "desert." The correct answer is "arid" which means hot and dry, lacking water. Additionally, "saturated" means drenched, soaked, filled with water.

Example Question #623 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Utopia is to good as __________ is to bad.

Possible Answers:

untopia

juvenile

myopic

mistopia

dystopia

Correct answer:

dystopia

Explanation:

A "utopia" is an idyllic, perfect version of the future. If you ever seen a movie about a future where no-one ever gets sick and life is perfect for all people, this is a "utopian vision of the future." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words describes a negative vision of the future. The correct answer is "dystopia." If you ever see a movie about a future where class differences are exaggerated or people live miserable or depraved lives, this is a "dystopian vision of the future." Additionally, "juvenile" means childish; "myopic" means having a narrow and ignorant worldview; the other two answer choices, I am sorry to say, are completely made up!

Example Question #624 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy

Owl is to wise as cat is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lonely

aggressive

intense 

curious

contagious

Correct answer:

curious

Explanation:

A quality generally associated with owls is wisdom, or being "wise." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality generally associated with being a cat. The correct answer is curiosity, or being "curious." Additionally, "contagious" means infectious, capable of spreading from one thing to another; "intense" means extreme, severe

Example Question #625 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy

Party is to convivial as riot is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ornate

tumultuous

delicious

docile

intrepid

Correct answer:

tumultuous

Explanation:

A quality of a "party" is to be "convivial" (which means friendly, agreeable, pleasing and welcoming). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "riot" (which is an out of control protest). The correct answer is "tumultuous" which means disorderly and excited, passionate, violent, and volatile. Additionally, "delicious" means tasty; "docile" means tame, under control, submissive; "ornate" means well-decorated, elaborate and fancy; "intrepid" means adventurous and brave.

Example Question #626 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Recluse is to solitary as __________ is to devout.

Possible Answers:

criminal

bishop

matriarch

patriarch

sage

Correct answer:

bishop

Explanation:

A "recluse" is someone who lives alone and avoids the company of others. A quality of a "recluse" then is to be "solitary" (alone). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices could reasonably be described as "devout" (pious, deeply religious). The correct answer is a "bishop" (a leader within certain Christian denominations). Additionally, "patriarch" means male leader of a society or family group; "matriarch" means female leader of a society of family group; a "sage" is a wise and knowledgeable person.

Example Question #627 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Dog is to loyalty as elephant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ruthlessness

frankness

cheerfulness

memory

trunks

Correct answer:

memory

Explanation:

A quality popularly associated with dogs is that they exhibit "loyalty." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality popularly associated with "elephants." The correct answer is that they have excellent "memory." Indeed, the expression "an elephant never forgets" and the fact that a group of elephants is known as "a memory of elephants" is testament to the pervasiveness of this association in our society. Additionally, "ruthlessness" means showing a lack of mercy and compassion; "frankness" means honesty, candor.

Example Question #628 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Robust is to young as __________ is to old.

Possible Answers:

dynamic

fortunate

aloof

wizened

bellicose

Correct answer:

wizened

Explanation:

"Robust" means healthy, strong. This is a quality usually associated with "young" people, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these adjectives describes a quality generally associated with "old" people. The correct answer is "wizened" which means wrinkled with age, shriveled. Additionally, "bellicose" means aggressive, prone to fighting; "dynamic" means energetic, forceful, active; "fortunate" means lucky; "aloof" means distant, withdrawn, prone to avoiding people.

Example Question #629 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Host is to __________ as expert is to knowledgeable.

Possible Answers:

cordial

portly

hesitant

current

indifferent

Correct answer:

cordial

Explanation:

It is generally a quality of an "expert" to be "knowledgeable," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is generally a quality of a "host." The correct answer is "cordial" which means polite and friendly. Additionally, "portly" means chubby, a little fat; "current" means contemporary, happening right now; "hesitant" means uncertain, unwilling to do something; "indifferent" means apathetic, not caring.

Example Question #630 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Vinegar is to acidic as soda is to __________.

Possible Answers:

carbonated

intrepid

rambunctious

gallant

handmade

Correct answer:

carbonated

Explanation:

A quality generally associated with "vinegar" is that it is "acidic," meaning that it has a sharp, acid-like taste, more technically it means it has a pH lower than seven. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality generally associated with "soda." The correct answer is that it is "carbonated" or fizzy. Additionally, "rambunctious" means hard to control and badly behaved; "intrepid" means adventurous; "gallant" means brave, chivalrous, noble; "handmade" means not made by a machine, made by human-hand.

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