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 #271 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Erect is to demolish as edify is to __________.

Possible Answers:

run out of time 

run down 

over the hill

spirit of the time

keep in the dark 

Correct answer:

keep in the dark 

Explanation:

Erect means to build and demolish means to destroy. These definitions are antonyms of one another so to solve this analogy you have to find the best antonym for edify. To edify something means to build, but to edify a person means to teach or instruct so the most accurate expression of the antonym would be to “keep in the dark.” To keep someone in the dark is an expression that means to withhold information.

Example Question #272 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Erudite is to ignorant as palpable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

intelligent

intangible 

incoherent 

informative 

illusory

Correct answer:

intangible 

Explanation:

To be erudite is the opposite of being ignorant; it means to be smart and knowledgeable. In order to solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym for palpable. Palpable describes something that can be felt and is distinctly present. Palpable is a synonym for tangible and is therefore an antonym for “intangible” which is the correct answer. For clarification, "incoherent" means not able to be understood; "illusory" means deceptive, not real.

Example Question #273 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Voluptuary is to ascetic as winsome is to _________.

Possible Answers:

outrageous

dull

fair 

espy 

morose 

Correct answer:

dull

Explanation:

Someone who is “voluptuary” is someone whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. It is a synonym for hedonist or sybarite, but it is an antonym of ascetic which means characterized by the rejection of pleasure and comfort. So to solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym of winsome. Winsome means charming so the correct antonym is “dull.” For clarification, "espy" means to suddenly see; "morose" means very sad.

Example Question #274 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

General is to specific as catholic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

atheism

particular

Presbyterian

religion

Jewish

Correct answer:

particular

Explanation:

You have probably heard of the Catholic Church, but did you know that the word catholic actually means general? If you know that catholic means general, you can probably tell that the answer choice that you are looking for will probably have the same meaning as the word specific. The only answer choice that works is particular. The others are designed to confuse you and to bring out the religious associations that the word catholic might bring to mind.

Example Question #275 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Dutiful is to disobedient as despondent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Menacing 

Purposeful

Frantic 

Hopeful

Disloyal

Correct answer:

Hopeful

Explanation:

Dutiful means loyal or dedicated and is an antonym of disobedient which means not obedient or loyal. To solve this analogy then you have to determine the best available antonym for despondent. Despondent means without hope, depressed and pessimistic so the best antonym is ”hopeful.” For clarification, menacing means threatening; frantic means anxious.

Example Question #276 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Puerile is to mature as quotidian is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Regular 

Mundane

Routine 

Normal 

Extraordinary 

Correct answer:

Extraordinary 

Explanation:

"Puerile" means immature and is therefore an antonym of mature so to solve this analogy you must identify the best available antonym for quotidian. Quotidian means every-day or ordinary so the correct antonym is “extraordinary.” For clarification, the other four answer choices are all loosely synonyms of quotidian.

Example Question #27 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Swarthy is to fair as dark is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Evil

Dim 

Black 

Night 

Light 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

Someone who is swarthy has dark complexion and someone who is fair has light complexion. So swarthy and fair are antonyms whereby swarthy matches with “dark” and fair matches with “light.”

Example Question #28 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Pliant is to inflexible as haughty is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Ashamed 

Depressed 

Lethargic

Responsive 

Dominant 

Correct answer:

Ashamed 

Explanation:

Pliant means flexible which is an antonym of inflexible, so to solve this analogy you must identify the best available antonym for haughty. Haughty means proud or arrogant, so the correct antonym is “ashamed.” For clarification, lethargic means exhausted or tired; dominant means in control.

Example Question #277 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Select the pair of words whose relationship is closest to that of the words in capital letters.

Mitigate is to exacerbate as __________.

Possible Answers:

edify is to educate

warlord is to command

blade is to grass

lengthen is to shorten

yell is to scream

Correct answer:

lengthen is to shorten

Explanation:

"Mitigate" means improve, while "exacerbate" means make worse. So, "mitigate" is an antonym of "exacerbate." "Lengthen" is an antonym of "shorten," so "lengthen is to shorten" is the correct answer. "Blade" can mean a leaf of grass. "Edify" means educate. "Yell" and "scream" both mean to cry out with a loud voice. A "warlord" is a military leader. "Command" means order.

Example Question #30 : Antonyms

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Grandiloquent is to simple as nice is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mean

generous

depressed

optimistic

angry

Correct answer:

mean

Explanation:

The best choice is "mean." The relationship between "grandiloquent" and "simple" is that they are antonyms. The word "grandiloquent" means speaking in a lofty or pompous style. Grandiloquence typically involves complex language. "Simple" is the opposite of "complex." Likewise, "mean" is the opposite of "nice."

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