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 #391 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Genuflect is to God as ________________ is to superior.

Possible Answers:

dismiss

decimate

apprehend

kowtow

abscond

Correct answer:

kowtow

Explanation:

To "genuflect" means to kneel before "God" in a show of religious devotion. So, which of these means to kneel before one's "superior?" The correct answer is to "kowtow." It is worth noting that "kowtow" carries a connotation of being weak and obsequious. Additionally, "abscond" means run away with, to leave in a hurried manner; "apprehend" means catch, as in to capture a criminal; "decimate" means kill and destroy a large proportion of

Example Question #392 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Nautical is to sailors as astral is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

stars

organs 

books 

waves 

food 

Correct answer:

stars

Explanation:

"Nautical" means of or related to the sea or "sailors." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is related to the term "astral." Well, as you may have guessed by the prefix astr-, "astral" means of or related to the "stars." 

Example Question #393 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Green is to _____________ as blue is to depressed.

Possible Answers:

retired

peaceful

inexperienced

somber

irate

Correct answer:

inexperienced

Explanation:

The word "blue" is often used as a synonym for "depressed" or "upset," as in "she was feeling awfully blue." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "green" is often used as a synonym for. Well, sometimes it is used for "envious" or "jealous," but these options are not available. So, the correct answer must be "inexperienced," as in "He is pretty green, but we will soon get him trained up." 

Example Question #394 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Epidemiology is to __________ as hagiography is to saints.

Possible Answers:

motion

politics

parenting

medicine

disease

Correct answer:

disease

Explanation:

"Hagiography" is the study of "saints" and the lives of "saints." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "epidemiology" is the study of. Well, "epidemiology" is the study of "disease," particularly the spread of disease

Example Question #395 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Avuncular is to uncle as municipal is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

religion

town

mother

income

weather

Correct answer:

town

Explanation:

"Avuncular" means of or related to "uncles" or a quality of "uncles." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is described by the word "municipal." Well, "municipal" means of or related to a "town" or city, particularly to the governing of a "town" or city.

Example Question #396 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Simian is to ______________ as temporal is to time.

Possible Answers:

blizzard

space

similarity

construction

ape

Correct answer:

ape

Explanation:

"Temporal" means of or related to "time." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is described by the word "simian." Well, "simian" means of or related to "apes."

Example Question #397 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Porcine is to ______________ as seismic is to earthquakes.

Possible Answers:

sheep

ceramics

pig 

swindle

clay

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 #398 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Hedonism is to pleasure as stoicism is to __________.

Possible Answers:

survival

companionship

reason

charity

solitude

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 #399 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Marine biology is to fish as microbiology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

faith 

bacteria

reptiles 

truth 

extinction 

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 #400 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Gibbous is to __________ as crest is to trough.

Possible Answers:

rock

ape

space

crescent

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.

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