SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Tenuous is to precarious as malign is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Docile 

Effective 

Slander

Praise 

Encourage 

Correct answer:

Slander

Explanation:

Tenuous and precarious are synonyms that both mean unstable or insecure. So to solve this analogy you have to find the best available synonym for malign. To malign someone is to slander them. For clarification, something that is docile is calm and obedient.

Example Question #142 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Tranquil is to peaceful as hapless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Deformed 

Unlucky 

Quintessential 

Soporific 

Quixotic 

Correct answer:

Unlucky 

Explanation:

Tranquil is a synonym for peaceful, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for hapless. Hapless means unlucky. For clarification, deformed means misshapen; soporific means sleep-inducing; quintessential means typical; quixotic means idealistic, and is one of my favorite words.

Example Question #143 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Guile is to cunning as callous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Perplexing 

Theology 

Remorseful

Quiescent

Heartless 

Correct answer:

Heartless 

Explanation:

Guile is a synonym of cunning, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which is the best available synonym for callous. Callous means cruel or harsh, so the nearest answer is “heartless.” For clarification, remorseful means full of regret; theology is the study of religion; quiescent means quiet or inactive; perplexing means confusing.

Example Question #141 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fickle is to capricious as flabbergasted is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Understood 

Prosaic 

Inherent 

Defaced 

Astounded 

Correct answer:

Astounded 

Explanation:

Fickle and capricious are synonyms that both mean unpredictable, changeable, and impulsive. So to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is the best synonym for flabbergasted. Flabbergasted means shocked or astounded. For clarification, defaced means ruined, tarnished; inherent means innate, inbuilt; prosaic means mundane.

Example Question #142 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Flout is to ignore as goad is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Demand 

Provoke 

Harangue

Accuse 

Laud 

Correct answer:

Provoke 

Explanation:

Flout is a synonym for ignore and is most commonly heard in the expression “to flout the rules;” therefore, in order to solve this analogy, you must determine the best available synonym for goad. Goad means to provoke or encourage. For clarification, harangue means berate, scold; laud means praise.

Example Question #143 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Rancid is to putrid as restitution is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Conflagration 

Composition

Compensation 

Competition

Combustion 

Correct answer:

Compensation 

Explanation:

Rancid and putrid are synonyms that both mean gross or disgusting. So to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for restitution. Restitution is compensation for something lost or taken away. For clarification, conflagration refers to an inferno; combustion is the process by which something is ignited; composition is a work of art.

Example Question #144 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Retract is to withdraw as redact is to _________.

Possible Answers:

Edit 

Rejoice 

Allow 

Create 

Ignite 

Correct answer:

Edit 

Explanation:

Retract is a synonym for withdraw, so to solve this analogy you need to determine the best available synonym for redact. Redact means to edit.

Example Question #145 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Scurrilous is to vulgar as scathing is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Humorous 

Critical 

Kind 

Madness

Friendly 

Correct answer:

Critical 

Explanation:

Scurrilous is a synonym of vulgar: both words mean rude and crude. So to solve this analogy, you have to identify the best available synonym for scathing. Scathing means critical and harsh.

Example Question #146 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Seminal is to original as elucidate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Mollify 

Pacify 

Calm 

Assuage 

Clarify 

Correct answer:

Clarify 

Explanation:

Seminal is a synonym of original, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for elucidate. To elucidate something is to clarify or make clear. For clarification, mollify, assuage, pacify, and calm are all synonyms of one another.

Example Question #147 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Meritorious is to praiseworthy as munificent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Frigid 

Generous 

Placid 

Haughty 

Suggestive 

Correct answer:

Generous 

Explanation:

Meritorious and praiseworthy are synonyms that both mean deserving of praise or admiration. So to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym for munificent. Munificent means very generous. For clarification, haughty means proud and arrogant; placid means peaceful or easy-going; frigid means very cold.

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