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 #126 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Herald is to ________________ as miff is to vex.

Possible Answers:

plead

operate

respond

hide

announce

Correct answer:

announce

Explanation:

"Miff" and "vex" are synonyms of one another, they both mean to annoy, irritate, and slightly confuse someone. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "herald." Well, to "herald" something means to "announce" that something is coming, to signal an imminent change. Additionally, "operate" means drive or use; "plead" means beg, urge.

Example Question #127 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Fledgling is to _______________ as schismatic is to discordant.

Possible Answers:

venal

feverish

ponderous

hospitable

nascent

Correct answer:

nascent

Explanation:

"Schismatic" and "discordant" are loosely synonyms, both words mean favoring or encouraging disorder, disagreement, and conflict within a group or organization. So, which of these words is a synonym of "fledgling?" Well, "fledgling" means someone or something that is inexperienced and just getting started. This is very similar in definition to "nascent," which means just coming into existence. Additionally, "feverish" means sick with a fever or overly excited and agitated by; "ponderous" means slow-moving; "venal" means corrupt, wicked; "hospitable" means welcoming or able to be inhabited by.

Example Question #128 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Begrime is to blacken as ______________ is to whip.

Possible Answers:

prognosticate

masticate

misappropriate

flagellate

elevate

Correct answer:

flagellate

Explanation:

"Begrime" means to make dirty, to "blacken." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "whip." Well, the correct answer is "flagellate." Additionally, "masticate" means chew; "prognosticate" means make a prediction about the future; "elevate" means raise or lift up; "misappropriate" means take something and use it for misguided or incorrect purposes.

Example Question #129 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Permit is to tolerate as defile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

opine

squander

sojourn

sully

usurp

Correct answer:

sully

Explanation:

"Permit" and "tolerate" are synonyms, both words mean accept and allow or 'put up with.' So, which of these words has the same meaning as "defile," which means ruin, debase, desecrate, spoil? The correct answer is "sully." Additionally, "usurp" means take over power or control from; "squander" means waste, spend unwisely; "opine" means suggest, state an opinion; "sojourn" means live somewhere temporarily

Example Question #130 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Inscrutable is to unfathomable as ______________ is to terminal.

Possible Answers:

moribund

ponderous

hale

onerous

awry

Correct answer:

moribund

Explanation:

"Inscrutable" and "unfathomable" are synonyms, both words mean impossible to understand or scrutinize. So, which of these words is a synonym of "terminal?" Well, when used as an adjective, "terminal" means either last, final or (of a disease) incurable and going to lead to death. So, the correct answer is "moribund," which means dying, near death. Additionally, "awry" means amiss, out of place, gone wrong; "ponderous" means slow-moving; "hale" means fit, healthy; "onerous" means hard to accomplish, arduous, grueling

Example Question #221 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Imperious is to domineering as __________ is to otiose.

Possible Answers:

impious

forlorn

frank

debonair

superficial

Correct answer:

superficial

Explanation:

"Imperious" means controlling, assuming control of a situation without the support of others. This is very similar in meaning to "domineering" (controlling, authoritative). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has a similar meaning to "otiose." Well, "otiose" means not serving any practical purpose. This is very similar to "superficial," not serious, not serving much use or purpose. Additionally, "debonair" means confident and charming, attractive and stylish; "impious" means heretical, not devout, ungodly; "frank" means honest, often uncomfortably or brutally honest; "forlorn" means feeling sad due to loneliness, pitifully miserable

Example Question #222 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Emollient is to __________ as peevish is to querulous.

Possible Answers:

cooling

warming

mocking

forming

soothing

Correct answer:

soothing

Explanation:

"Peevish" and "querulous" are synonyms, both words mean easily irritated or annoyed by minor things. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "emollient." Well, "emollient" means moisturizing, softening, "soothing."

Example Question #223 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Beguile is to charm as __________ is to distribute.

Possible Answers:

apportion

renege

flout

insult

blazon

Correct answer:

apportion

Explanation:

"Beguile" means "charm," enchant or attract someone. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "distribute?" The correct answer is "apportion," which means to allocate, to give to someone according to their share. Additionally, "blazon" means embellish, display or decorate; "renege" means break a promise, go back on one's word; "flout" means break or ignore the rules.

Example Question #224 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Endow is to bestow as meliorate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

enhance

protect

succumb

assail

reduce

Correct answer:

enhance

Explanation:

"Endow" and "bestow" are synonyms, both words mean to grant a sum of money, to confer a title, to give to. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "meliorate." Well, "meliorate" means ameliorate, to soothe or make better. This is fairly close in definition to "enhance," so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "assail" means attack; "succumb" means be unable to resist, 'give in to.'

Example Question #225 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Abscond is to __________ as claim is to arrogate.

Possible Answers:

return

escape

convene

grouse

capture

Correct answer:

escape

Explanation:

"Arrogate" means to "claim" something without authority or justification. It is therefore loosely a synonym of "claim," so which of these words has a similar meaning to "abscond?" Well, "abscond" means to leave in a quick and secretive fashion usually with someone else, to flee, to "escape." Additionally, "convene" means meet up, come together; "grouse" means complain about something minor.

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