SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Phobophobia is to fear as androphobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

women

ghosts

technology

machines

men

Correct answer:

men

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phobia immediately tells you that you are dealing with a fear. So, "anglophobia" is fear of the English. "Phobophobia" is therefore fear of fear itself. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "androphobia" is the fear of. To do this you need to consider the meaning of the Greek prefix andro- which means man. So, "androphobia" is fear of man, fear of men.

Example Question #62 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Ornithophobia is to birds as xenophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

darkness

foreigners

heights

silence

death

Correct answer:

foreigners

Explanation:

The prefix ornith- means birds, so "ornithophobia" means fear of birds. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "xenophobia" is the fear of. To do this you will need to rely on your knowledge of Greek prefixes. The prefix xen- means foreign, so "xenophobia" is fear of foreigners.

Example Question #1 : Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Bibliophile is to book as cinephile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

band

song

computer

lesson

movie

Correct answer:

movie

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phile means lover of. So, an "anglophile" is a lover of English things. A "bibliophile" is a lover of Books. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "cinephile" is a lover of. The correct answer is "movies." The Greek prefix cine-/kine- means related to movement, motion, as in "kinetic" and "cinema."

Example Question #2 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Paedophobia is to children as photophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

angels

phones

light

movies

pictures

Correct answer:

light

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phobia means fear of. Also, the prefix paed- means children, as in "pediatrician" (children's doctor). So, "paedophobia" is fear of children. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "photophobia" is the fear of. Well, the prefix photo- means light, so "photophobia" is the fear of light.

Example Question #3 : Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Quadrilateral is to four as hexagon is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ten 

six 

eight 

seven 

nine 

Correct answer:

six 

Explanation:

A "quadrilateral" is a shape with four sides; you might be able to infer this because the word contains the root "quad," which means four and appears in other words like "quadratic." So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine how many sides a hexagon has. The correct answer is “six," which you might have inferred because the root "hex" means six.

Example Question #2 : Suffixes From Latin

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Piscine is to fish as leonine is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cat

bird

llama 

dog 

lion 

Correct answer:

lion 

Explanation:

"Piscine" is an adjective that means of or relating to fish. The prefix "pisc-" often means that the word will describe characteristics of fish and appears in other words like the name of the constellation "Pisces," which is thought to look like two fish. To solve this analogy, you have to determine which animal is described by the adjective "leonine." The correct answer is “lion."

Example Question #61 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Deify is to god as vilify is to __________.

Possible Answers:

protagonist 

juvenile

villain 

adolescent

ancestor 

Correct answer:

villain 

Explanation:

“Deify” means consider as or make into a god and “vilify” means make into a villain or condemn. So, "villain" is the correct answer. If you did not immediately know this, it would become necessary to use your knowledge of prefixes to solve the analogy. The prefix ­"dei­-" means related to (a) god(s) or (a) goddess(es) and the prefix ­"vil-" means related to evil doings. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank: “juvenile” means youthful and immature; “adolescent” means teenager; “ancestor” is the term used to describe the people who came before us to whom we are related, like our grandparents; and a “protagonist” is a hero.

Example Question #1 : Suffixes From Latin

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Mortality is to death as veracity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

taxes 

kindness 

truth

deception 

religion 

Correct answer:

truth

Explanation:

The prefix "mort­-" means related to the nature of life and death and the prefix ­"ver-" means related to truth and honesty. “Mortality” can mean many things, although most frequently it is used to mean death or the certainty of death. Likewise, “veracity” means “truth” or “truthfulness," so "truth" is the correct answer. “Deception” is the act of trying to trick and lie to someone.

Example Question #62 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Audience is to audible as centennial is to __________

Possible Answers:

centipede 

visible

sensory 

sensible

one hundred 

Correct answer:

centipede 

Explanation:

The root "aud" means related to hearing or listening. The only relationship that can be established between “audience” and “audible” is that they are both related to listening because they both contain the root "aud." An “audience” watches and listens to a performance and “audible” means able to be heard. The prefix "cent-" means related to the number one hundred. A “centennial” is a celebration commemorating something that happened one hundred years ago or the existence of something for one hundred years, and a “centipede” is an insect with one hundred legs. Like “audience” and “audible,” the only relationship between these two words is that they are both related to the number one hundred. To provide further help, “sensible” means reasonable and smart, “visible” means able to be seen, and “sensory” means relating to the senses.

Example Question #2 : Suffixes From Latin

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Autonomous is to independent as subservient is to __________

Possible Answers:

despondent

autocratic 

morose 

jubilant 

obedient

Correct answer:

obedient

Explanation:

“Autonomous” means self-governing or independent. So, to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best synonym of “subservient.” The correct answer is “dependent"; if you were unable to answer this question correctly there are many prefixes, suffixes, and word fragments you can use for assistance. The prefix "auto-" means able to do something without help or free from outside authority. The root "serv" in “subservient” reveals that the word is to do with being controlled by someone else, being a servant or a slave. If you know that “obedient” means consistently obeying the rules and demands of others, then the relationship between all four words becomes clear. None of the other answer choices make sense in the blank: “despondent” means miserable and without hope; “jubilant” means very happy; morose means very sad, and “autocratic” means controlled by one ruler with absolute authority. Notice how “autocratic” and “autonomous” have totally different definitions. Remember, prefixes and suffixes are guidelines and not firm rules; sometimes they will help you and sometimes not, but it’s important to know them because they will help you guess answers on questions that you otherwise would have no idea how to solve.

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