SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Cause and Effect

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #74 : Part/Whole, Part/Part, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Rain is to flood as heat is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fireplace

dry

fire

hot

inundation

Correct answer:

fire

Explanation:

Because floods can be caused by too much rain, we're looking for a word that describes something that can be caused by too much heat. While "inundation" may look like a good answer, "inundation" is a noun meaning "flood," so it can't be the correct answer. "Fire" and "dry" may both look like good answers, but "dry" can't be the correct answer because it is an adjective and there were no adjectives in our model pair of words. Since too much heat can cause a fire, just like too much rain can cause a flood, "fire" is the correct answer.

Example Question #71 : Part/Whole, Part/Part, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Grin is to happiness as grimace is to __________.

Possible Answers:

delight 

disgust 

surprise 

confusion 

alarm 

Correct answer:

disgust 

Explanation:

A grimace is most similar to a frown, but indicates a high level of distaste or disgust. As one smiles or grins when he/she feels happiness, one might grimace when he/she feels disgust. Delight is another emotion that would be signaled facially with a grin. All the other emotions could be signaled with facial expressions, but they would not be a grimace.

Example Question #71 : Part/Whole, Part/Part, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Molten is to liquid as evaporated is to __________.

Possible Answers:

atom

solid

gas

fluid

matter

Correct answer:

gas

Explanation:

"Molten" means turned into "liquid" using heat. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "evaporation" does. The correct answer is that to be "evaporated" is to be turned into "gas" using heat. Additionally, "fluid" is another word for "liquid"; an "atom" is a basic unit of matter, what everything is made of.

Example Question #75 : Part/Whole, Part/Part, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete this analogy.

Failure is to displeasing as affection is to __________.

Possible Answers:

confusing

comforting

lifeless

annoying

creative

Correct answer:

comforting

Explanation:

It is a quality of "failure" that it is "displeasing" (upsetting, not pleasing). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of "affection" (love, fondness, caring and liking). The correct answer is that it would usually be "comforting."

Example Question #71 : Part/Whole, Part/Part, Example/Category, And Cause/Effect

Complete the analogy.

Study is to honor roll as _____________

Possible Answers:

rain is to flooding

car is to drive

barista is to coffee shop

branch is to tree

coat is to winter

Correct answer:

rain is to flooding

Explanation:

The correct answer is "rain is to flooding."

This analogy shows a cause/effect relationship. Studying is the cause of being on the honor roll (effect). Rain is the cause of flooding (effect).

Example Question #81 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Delighted is to revel as sullen is to __________________.

Possible Answers:

brood

obey

gesticulate

boast

cajole

Correct answer:

brood

Explanation:

When one is delighted, he/she often revels, or acts in a merry way. The correct answer will demonstrate a similar relationship between mood and action. When one is "sullen," meaning sad and gloomy, he/she might often "broods," or agonizes.

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