SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Material Composition

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:

water

fire

snow

wind

dust

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:

dance

cloth

clay

metal

electricity

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 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Bookshelf is to wood as window is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sunlight

sill

glass

curtain

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

Complete this analogy.

Thicket is to bushes as __________ is to trees.

Possible Answers:

grove

stream

aqueduct

plateau

harbor

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

Complete this analogy.

Cashmere is to clothing as __________ is to building.

Possible Answers:

marble

architecture

loom

edifice

weave

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

Complete this analogy.

Arsenal is to weapon as foliage is to __________.

Possible Answers:

leaf

pet

brick

sand

child

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 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Caffeine is to coffee as __________ is to cigarettes.

Possible Answers:

iodine

carcinogenic

drinking

nicotine

smoking

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

Complete this analogy.

Glacier is to ice as orchestra is to __________.

Possible Answers:

water

practice

athletes

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

Complete this analogy.

Lagoon is to water as __________ is to grass.

Possible Answers:

knoll

cow

green

seed

plant

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.

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