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 #27 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Apostate is to religion as __________ is to army.

Possible Answers:

turncoat

crucible

romantic

admiral

aegis 

Correct answer:

turncoat

Explanation:

An "apostate" is someone who renounces one's "religion," someone who abandons their faith. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is used to refer to someone who abandons the "army." The correct answer is "turncoat," which means traitor. Additionally, "aegis" is protection, support; an "admiral" is a high-ranking member of the navy; a "crucible" is a setting of great trial

Example Question #28 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Kilt is to Scotland as sari is to __________

Possible Answers:

India

France 

Canada 

America 

China 

Correct answer:

India

Explanation:

A "kilt" is an item of clothing from "Scotland." It is a type of formal skirt usually worn by men of a clan. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine where a "sari" is from. The correct answer is "India." A "sari" is a garment of silk clothing usually worn by women in "India." 

Example Question #29 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Flotsam is to _____________ as pollen is to flower.

Possible Answers:

ocean

elevator

forest

time

sky

Correct answer:

ocean

Explanation:

"Pollen" is small, fine dust-like material excreted by male plants for the purposes of fertilizing a female plant. "Pollen" is found on "flowers," so to solve this analogy you need to determine where "flotsam" is found. Well, "flotsam" is trash or waste floating in the "ocean."

Example Question #30 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Quartermaster is to _____________ as registrar is to records.

Possible Answers:

performances

treaties

supplies

affluence

power

Correct answer:

supplies

Explanation:

A "registrar" is someone who's job it is to keep track of official "records," like demographic statistics. So, a "registrar" is concerned with "records," what is a "quartermaster" concerned with? Well, a "quartermaster" is a military official responsible for providing "supplies" and shelter. So, the correct answer is "supplies." Additionally, "affluence" is wealth and prosperity.

Example Question #31 : Location, Time, Or Context

Complete this analogy.

Ovary is to reproduction as __________ is to categorization.

Possible Answers:

phylum

asylum 

doleful 

embezzle 

sinecure 

Correct answer:

phylum

Explanation:

An "ovary" is a female reproductive organ. So, an "ovary" is involved with "reproduction." What is a "phylum" involved with? Well, a "phylum" is a classification group for organizing species of animals. So, it is involved in "categorization." Additionally, an "asylum" is a sanctuary, a safe house; a "sinecure" is an easy job; "embezzle" means steal money from somewhere one works or is trusted; "doleful" means miserable and disconsolate, feeling hopeless

Example Question #1 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Sweet is to sugar as spicy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

potato

raspberry

jalapeño

corn

apple

Correct answer:

jalapeño

Explanation:

“Sugar” is a noun that means “a sweet crystalline substance.” So, because sugar tastes sweet, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun representing a food that tastes spicy. While all of the potential answer choices are foods, only “jalapeño” (“a very hot green chili pepper”) is a food that tastes spicy. So, because jalapeños are spicy just as sugar is sweet, “jalapeño” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Philanthropist is to charitable as priest is to __________.

Possible Answers:

honorable 

miserly

eloquent 

spiritual 

temerity 

Correct answer:

spiritual 

Explanation:

A philanthropist is someone who is charitable so the relationship can be established as the following: Charitable behavior is something that would be expected of a philanthropist so what kind of behavior is likely to be expected of a priest? This should lead to the correct answer which is “spiritual.” For clarification, "spiritual" means focused on religious or divine matters; "miserly" means not generous and is an antonym of charitable; "temerity" is a type of boldness or audacity; "eloquent" refers to a type of speech that is stylish and easily understood.

Example Question #2 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Shield is to defensive as sword is to __________.

Possible Answers:

quick

protective

expedient

unimportant

offensive

Correct answer:

offensive

Explanation:

A shield could be used by someone to defend themselves, so it could be described as “defensive,” or “used or intended to defend or protect.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective that describes a sword. While “protective” and “offensive” might each look like a potentially correct answer choice, “protective” means “capable of or intended to protect,” and does not describe a sword, so “protective” cannot be the correct answer. “Offensive,” however, is an adjective that can mean “meant for use in attack” when being used of a weapon, and because “offensive” aptly describes a sword just as “defensive” aptly describes a shield, “offensive” is the correct answer.

Example Question #681 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Pleasing is to euphony as displeasing is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Vociferous 

Mellifluous

Celebration 

Exalt 

Adulation 

Correct answer:

Vociferous 

Explanation:

Euphony is a pleasing sound, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is an unpleasant sound. The correct answer is “vociferous,” which means loud and unpleasant noise. For clarification, mellifluous is a synonym of euphony; adulation is praise; exalt means to praise or celebrate.

Example Question #682 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Cat is to fast as sloth is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dull

pensive

sedentary

uninteresting

round

Correct answer:

sedentary

Explanation:

One might describe a cat as fast. Therefore, the correct answer will be a trait that a sloth has. Sloths do not move very much, and so they are "sedentary," which means lacking movementstationary, or inactive.

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