SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Qualities and Features

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to pig as conniving is to fox.

Possible Answers:

Corpulent

Gigantic

Emaciated

Gaunt

Minuscule

Correct answer:

Corpulent

Explanation:

It is a quality of a "fox" to be "conniving," which means cunning and manipulative, sneaky and clever. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality typically associated with "pigs." The correct answer is "corpulent," which means fat. Additionally, "gigantic" means very large; "minuscule" means very small; "emaciated" and "gaunt" both mean very thin, skinny to the point of being unhealthy, skeletal.

Example Question #32 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Lighter is to __________ as rollercoaster is to exhilarating.

Possible Answers:

indispensable

composed

bashful

adjacent

flammable

Correct answer:

flammable

Explanation:

A function of a "rollercoaster" is to be "exhilarating," which means exciting, making one feel active, happy and full of energy. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a function or quality of a "lighter." Well, "lighters" are "flammable" (able to light on fire, likely to light on fire) so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "bashful" means shy, timid, easily embarrassed; "adjacent" means next to; "indispensable" means vital, needed, essential; "composed" means calm and under control in an otherwise stressful situation.

Example Question #33 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to whale as agile is to monkey.

Possible Answers:

Illustrious

Colossal

Juvenile

Mediocre

Deranged

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

It is a quality of a "monkey" to be "agile" (able to move quickly and with good balance). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "whale." Well, "whales" are famously big, so the correct answer is "colossal," which means huge. Additionally, "illustrious" means famous, storied, well-known; "deranged" means insane, crazy, mentally ill; "mediocre" means average in a bad way; "juvenile" means immature, childish.

Example Question #34 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Mortal is to __________ as God is to eternal.

Possible Answers:

interminable

fleeting

dissolute

rakish

voluminous

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 #35 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Desert is to __________ as rainforest is to fecund.

Possible Answers:

windy

lively

sand

arid

saturated

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 #36 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Utopia is to good as __________ is to bad.

Possible Answers:

untopia

mistopia

myopic

dystopia

juvenile

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 #37 : Qualities And Features

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 #38 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy

Party is to convivial as riot is to __________.

Possible Answers:

delicious

ornate

tumultuous

intrepid

docile

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 #39 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Recluse is to solitary as __________ is to devout.

Possible Answers:

sage

criminal

bishop

patriarch

matriarch

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 #40 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Dog is to loyalty as elephant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

frankness

ruthlessness

trunks

cheerfulness

memory

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.

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