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 #663 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Excommunicate is to _________________ as ostracize is to society.

Possible Answers:

deity

convict

tribe

town

church

Correct answer:

church

Explanation:

"Ostracize" means to banish from "society," to exclude from "society." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you are banished and excluded from if you are "excommunicated." Well, "excommunicate" means exclude from participation in the Christian "church." So, the correct answer is "church." Additionally, "deity" means God; "convict" means prisoner

Example Question #664 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Cherub is to heaven as __________________ is to hell.

Possible Answers:

afterlife

illness

netherworld

demon

purgatory

Correct answer:

demon

Explanation:

The key to answering this question is to know that a "cherub" is an angel. So, "cherubs" come from or live in "heaven." Which of these is something that comes from or lives in "hell?" The correct answer is a "demon." Additionally, "netherworld" means hell; "purgatory" is a state of uncertainty and suffering in the "afterlife" that is neither heaven nor hell.

Example Question #665 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Embargo is to __________ as prohibition is to consumption.

Possible Answers:

economy

trade

learning

noise

childbearing

Correct answer:

trade

Explanation:

"Prohibition," in the United States, is generally associated with attempts in the early decades of the twentieth century to completely outlaw alcohol in American society. However, more generally "prohibition" is an attempt to control and prohibit the "consumption" of something. So, which of these does an "embargo" attempt to control and prohibit? The correct answer is "trade." An "embargo" is a refusal to trade or a blockage of trade due to political, religious, or social concerns.

Example Question #666 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Pool is to swimmer as ________________.

Possible Answers:

mitt is to catcher

ring is to boxer

glove is to jab

driver is to golf

saddle is to horse

Correct answer:

ring is to boxer

Explanation:

A pool is the location in which a swimmer performs his/her sport. Similarly, a ring is where a boxer fights, so that is the correct answer.

Example Question #21 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Tithe is to church as alms is to _________________.

Possible Answers:

tax

government

school

income

poor

Correct answer:

poor

Explanation:

A "tithe" is money given to the "church." So, to solve this analogy you merely need to determine who is given money through "alms." The correct answer is that "alms" is money given to the "poor." 

Example Question #22 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Botany is to _______________ as aesthetics is to beauty.

Possible Answers:

relationships

emotions

literature

plants

animals

Correct answer:

plants

Explanation:

"Aesthetics" is the study of "beauty." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "botany" is the study of. Well, the correct answer is that "botany" is the study of plants

Example Question #23 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Luddite is to _______________ as heretic is to orthodoxy.

Possible Answers:

technology

racism

nature

politics

religion

Correct answer:

technology

Explanation:

A "heretic" is a nonconformist, someone who refuses to conform to expectations, someone who is unorthodox. So, if a "heretic" decries "orthodoxy," what does a "Luddite" decry? The correct answer is that "luddite" means opposed to technological reform, against technological progress. So, the correct answer is "technology." 

Example Question #24 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Curator is to ____________ as pontiff is to church.

Possible Answers:

museum

university

highway

synagogue

newsroom

Correct answer:

museum

Explanation:

"Pontiff" is another name for the Pope. So, a place you might find the pope is a "church." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a place where you might find a "curator." Well, a "curator" is someone who oversees and manages a "museum." 

Example Question #25 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Duchy is to duke as ______________ is to prince.

Possible Answers:

king 

president 

princess

oligarchy 

principality

Correct answer:

principality

Explanation:

A "duchy" is an independent territory ruled by a "duke." So, which of these is an independent territory ruled by a "prince?" The correct answer is "principality." Additionally, an "oligarchy" is a society governed by a few wealthy businessmen

Example Question #26 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Kaiser is to German as __________ is to Russian.

Possible Answers:

Dauphin

Tsar

Regent

Bishop

Duke

Correct answer:

Tsar

Explanation:

The term "Kaiser" was once used to denote the ruler of "Germany," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these was once used to denote the ruler of "Russia." The correct answer is "Tsar." Additionally, a "regent" is someone who governs a monarchy because the rightful ruler is too young; the "dauphin" is the son of the King of France; a "bishop" is a high-ranking member of church hierarchy.

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