SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Specific Terminology

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Other Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Porcine is to ______________ as seismic is to earthquakes.

Possible Answers:

clay

sheep

swindle

ceramics

pig 

Correct answer:

pig 

Explanation:

The word "seismic" is used to refer to "earthquakes." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what the word "porcine" is used to refer to. The correct answer is that "porcine" means of or related to or affected by "pigs." Additionally, "swindle" means trick out of money, cheat; "ceramics" is pottery.

Example Question #22 : Other Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Hedonism is to pleasure as stoicism is to __________.

Possible Answers:

charity

solitude

reason

companionship

survival

Correct answer:

reason

Explanation:

"Hedonism" is the doctrine or belief that the primary purpose of life is "pleasure." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is at the heart of "Stoicism." Well, "Stoicism" is the doctrine or belief that the primary purpose of life is knowledge and the application of "reason."

Example Question #23 : Other Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Marine biology is to fish as microbiology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

bacteria

extinction 

reptiles 

truth 

faith 

Correct answer:

bacteria

Explanation:

"Marine biology" is the study of ocean life, including "fish." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is studied under "microbiology." Well, the roots micro- meaning small and -bio- meaning life should provide sufficient clues. "Microbiology" is the study of microscopic life, like "bacteria."

Example Question #24 : Other Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Gibbous is to __________ as crest is to trough.

Possible Answers:

space

rock

crescent

ape

estuary

Correct answer:

crescent

Explanation:

"Crest" and "trough" are specific terms used to describe, respectively, the high and low point of waves. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "gibbous" is used to describe and what it's opposite counterpart might be. Well, a "gibbous" is a term used to describe the moon when the illuminated part is greater than a semicircle, but not a full moon. So, the correct answer is "crescent," which is a term used to describe the moon when the illuminated part is less than a semicircle, but not a new moon. Additionally, an "estuary" is the mouth of a river, where the river meets the ocean.

Example Question #401 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Alpine is to __________ as cardiac is to heart.

Possible Answers:

animals

feelings

thoughts

trees

mountains

Correct answer:

mountains

Explanation:

"Cardiac" means of or related to the "heart." So, to solve his analogy you need to determine which of these words means of or related to "mountains." The correct answer is "alpine," which is drawn from the Alps range of mountains in Western Europe.

Example Question #402 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Hawkish is to _______________ as penitent is to forgiveness.

Possible Answers:

love

war

toughness

loyalty

payment

Correct answer:

war

Explanation:

"Penitent" means feeling regretful and contrite and seeking "forgiveness" for something. So, if someone who is "penitent" is seeking "forgiveness," what is someone who is "hawkish" seeking? Well, "hawkish" means bellicose, desiring conflict or "war."

Example Question #403 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Genetics is to heredity as linguistics is to _________________.

Possible Answers:

belief

conservatism

language

liberalism

ethnicity

Correct answer:

language

Explanation:

"Genetics" is the study of "heredity," the study of how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "linguistics" is the study of. The correct answer is "language."

Example Question #404 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Testosterone is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

dopamine 

hydrogen 

melanin 

estrogen 

adrenaline 

Correct answer:

estrogen 

Explanation:

"Testosterone" is a hormone that is primarily found in "men." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a hormone primarily found in "women." The correct answer is "estrogen." Additionally, "adrenaline" is a hormone that is released under stress and promotes accelerated blood-flow, as well as aggression; "melanin" is a pigment found in skin that is responsible for tanning or darkening of skin; "dopamine" is a chemical present in the brain that is related to the sensation of pleasure

Example Question #405 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Gastronomy is to cooking as osteology is to ____________.

Possible Answers:

bones

illness

construction

gems

eyesight

Correct answer:

bones

Explanation:

"Gastronomy" is the art or science of "cooking" and eating. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "osteology" is the study of. Well, "osteology" is the study of the skeleton or "bones." 

Example Question #406 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Locution is to __________ as gait is to walk.

Possible Answers:

talk

cook

shoot

perform

taste

Correct answer:

talk

Explanation:

The term "gait" refers to the style or manner of someone's "walk," how someone "walks." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is related to "locution." Well, "locution" means the manner or style in which someone "talks."

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