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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Bewildered is to flummoxed as munificent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

magnanimous

severe 

terrific

morose 

benign 

Correct answer:

magnanimous

Explanation:

"Bewildered" and "flummoxed" are synonyms that both means confused. "Munificent" means generous, so you must identify the answer choice that is the best synonym of generous. The correct answer is “magnanimous,” which describes someone who is generous and kind. For clarification, "benign" means not harmful; "severe" means intense; and "morose" means very sad.

Example Question #162 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Waffle is to drivel as licentious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

prone

susceptible

immoral 

immune

moral 

Correct answer:

immoral 

Explanation:

"Waffle" and "drivel" are synonyms that both refer to pointless or useless speech. To solve this analogy you have to identify the best available synonym for "licentious," which means immoral, particularly with regard to sexual behavior. For clarification, "immune" means safe from something, usually disease; "prone" and "susceptible" are synonyms that both mean likely to be affected by something.

Example Question #163 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Blue is to azure as __________.

Possible Answers:

brown is to verdant

pink is to vermillion

red is to ruddy

green is to crimson

yellow is to cerulean

Correct answer:

red is to ruddy

Explanation:

Since "azure," when used as an adjective, means having a bright blue color, and when used as a noun means a bright blue color, "blue" and "azure" are synonyms. So, we need to pick out an answer choice in which both words are synonyms—in this case, in which both words to the same color. Since "cerulean" means deep blue, "yellow is to cerulean" cannot be the correct answer. Neither can "brown is to verdant" since "verdant" can mean green like lush vegetation. Similarly, "green is to crimson" is not correct either since "crimson" means a dark red color and neither is "pink is to vermillion," since "vermillion" refers to a bright shade of orange-red. "Red is to ruddy" is the correct answer because "ruddy" means having a reddish color.

Example Question #162 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Deciduous is to arboreal as bodily is to __________.

Possible Answers:

corpulent

vituperative

vivacious

corporeal

volume

Correct answer:

corporeal

Explanation:

"Deciduous" plants are those which lose their leaves annually (as opposed to pine and other evergreen trees that retain their needles throughout the winter and into the spring). The word literally comes from Latin roots meaning to fall downward. The “de-” prefix means down from (as in “descend”) and the “-ciduous” is related to the same and similar forms found in “cadence” and “accident.” Etymology aside, the analogy is one of member-to-class. Something deciduous is a type of arboreal plant. ("Arboreal" meaning pertaining to trees). Thus, something “bodily” is best called something “corporeal.” None of the other options name the general class of bodily things. The word "corpulent," which is close (and clearly related in its roots) means fat—like having a lot of “body.”

Example Question #164 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Placid is to tranquil as noxious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

safe

toxic

noisy

torpid 

lovely

Correct answer:

toxic

Explanation:

"Placid" and "tranquil" are synonyms, as are "noxious" and "toxic."

Example Question #165 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Regard is to deem as __________.

Possible Answers:

negate is to confirm

release is to capture

confound is to astonish

far is to near

mock is to praise

Correct answer:

confound is to astonish

Explanation:

“Regard,” when used as a verb, means “consider or think of someone or something in a specified way,” while “deem” means “regard or consider in a specified way.” So, “regard” and “deem” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that consists of a pair of synonyms. While “confound is to astonish,” “release is to capture,” and “negate is to confirm” might each look like a potentially correct answer choice, “release” and “confirm” are antonyms, as are “negate” and “confirm,” so neither of those answer choices can be the correct answer. “Confound,” however, is a verb that means “cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations,” while “astonish” means “surprise or impress (someone) greatly.” So, because “confound” is a synonym of “astonish” just as “regard” is a synonym of “deem,” “confound is to astonish” is the correct answer.

Example Question #166 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Outlandish is to eccentric as quintessential is to __________.

Possible Answers:

abnormal

brilliant 

menacing 

typical

elusive

Correct answer:

typical

Explanation:

Outlandish and eccentric are synonyms that both mean weird or abnormal so to solve this analogy you have to identify the best available synonym for quintessential. Quintessential means typical or normal. For clarification, menacing means threatening; elusive means hard to detect or capture; abnormal means weird, not normal.

Example Question #167 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Lethargic is to tired as gregarious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

outgoing 

introspective

devious 

iconic 

whimsical

Correct answer:

outgoing 

Explanation:

Lethargic is a synonym of tired so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of the answer choices is the best synonym for the word gregarious. Gregarious means sociable or outgoing. For clarification, devious means sneaky; introspective means thoughtful and inwardly focused; iconic means significant; whimsical means quirky or silly.

Example Question #168 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Evanescent is to fleeting as ephemeral is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lasting 

permanent 

nomadic 

transitory 

expressive

Correct answer:

transitory 

Explanation:

Evanescent is a synonym of fleeting so to solve this analogy you must determine the best available synonym for ephemeral. Ephemeral means short-lived. Transitory also has a similar meaning, it means not permanent or existing for a short time. Permanent and lasting are both antonyms. Nomadic means living a detached or wandering lifestyle.

Example Question #169 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Belittle is to demean as delectable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

harsh 

jaunty 

nourishing 

improving 

delicious 

Correct answer:

delicious 

Explanation:

"Belittle" and "demean" are both synonyms that mean to put someone down with unkindness or criticism. "Delectable" means tasty,and therefore the best available synonym is “delicious.” For clarification, "nourishing" means providing nourishment; "harsh" means unfairly critical; "jaunty" means cheerful.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors