SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Pewter is to __________ as quark is to particle.

Possible Answers:

strut

posh

quarry

crucible

alloy

Correct answer:

alloy

Explanation:

A "quark" is a type of subatomic "particle" of matter. So, a "quark" is an example of a "particle," which of these categories does "pewter" fit into? Well, "pewter" is a mixture of tin and lead. This makes it an "alloy," which is metal that is comprised of two or more metals to make it stronger or more useful. Additionally, a "crucible" is a trial, a particularly grueling trial; a "strut" is an exaggerated walk; "posh" means wealthy and refined, dignified and aristocratic; a "quarry" is a place where things like stone and marble are mined.

Example Question #152 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Addiction is to __________ as philanthropy is to rectitude.

Possible Answers:

hiatus

declamation

renegade

somnambulist

pathos

Correct answer:

pathos

Explanation:

"Philanthropy" means charity and it is an example of "rectitude." To be clear "rectitude" means virtue, (of behavior) morally right and principled, righteousness. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "addiction" is an example of. Of the available answers the best option is "pathos," which means characteristic that evokes pity and causes one to feel sad for someone else. Additionally, a "declamation" is a speech given in protest; a "hiatus" is a prolonged gap or break from something; a "renegade" is a mutineer, someone who rebels against authority; a "somnambulist" is a sleep-walker

Example Question #1 : Cause And Effect

Complete this analogy.

Gerrymander is to divide as filibuster is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Determine 

Solidify 

Establish 

Holdup 

Campaign

Correct answer:

Holdup 

Explanation:

Gerrymandering is the process by which electoral areas are divided to manipulate the political process; therefore, in order to solve this analogy you have to determine what purpose a filibuster serves in the political process. A filibuster is an extended speech given to delay, or holdup, the passage of a bill.

Example Question #153 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Censor is to obscene as __________.

Possible Answers:

retract is to incorrect

raze is to build

book is to text

hardware is to software

type is to mendacious

Correct answer:

retract is to incorrect

Explanation:

"Obscene" is an adjective that means offensive and indecent. "Censor," when used as a verb, means officially suppress aspects of a text or work of art for being perceived as offensive. So, something that is obscene has a high likelihood of being censored, and we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is an adjective, and the first word is a verb describing what would likely be done to something that adjective describes. Only two answer choices include a verb followed by an adjective: "retract is to incorrect" and "type is to mendacious." While "type is to mendacious" might look like a potentially correct answer, "mendacious" means lying or not truthful. Since there is no clear connection between typing something and the thing typed being untrue, "type is to mendacious" cannot be not the correct answer. "Retract is to incorrect" is the correct answer because just as if something is obscene it is likely to be censored, if something is incorrect it is likely to be retracted, or withdrawn due to it being untrue.

Example Question #3 : Cause And Effect

Complete this analogy.

Accolade is to proud as __________.

Possible Answers:

dinner is to hungry

threat is to afraid

car is to automotive

melody is to song

limber is to stretch

Correct answer:

threat is to afraid

Explanation:

"Accolade" is a noun that means an earned award of merit, so one is likely to be proud when one receives an accolade. So, we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word describes an emotion one might feel when experiencing or receiving what the first word describes. "Dinner is to hungry" might look like a potentially correct answer because like "accolade to proud," it consists of a noun followed by an adjective describing an emotion. However, one would not expect to feel hungry after receiving a dinner, so it cannot be the correct answer. "Threat is to afraid" is the best answer choice because just as one might be expected to feel proud after receiving an accolade, one might expect to feel afraid when receiving a threat.

Example Question #154 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Sleepwalk is to asleep as __________.

Possible Answers:

give up is to optimistic

clumsy is to stumble

fly is to wings

eat is to thirsty

rest is to exhausted

Correct answer:

rest is to exhausted

Explanation:

“Sleepwalk” is a verb that means walk around while sleeping, so someone who is asleep might sleepwalk. That means that we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word is a verb, and the second word an adjective describing a condition under which someone might perform the verb’s action. While “rest is to exhausted,” “give up is to optimistic,” and “eat is to thirsty” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “eat is to thirsty” cannot be the correct answer because “thirsty” means needing to drink something, so we would not necessarily expect someone who is thirsty to eat anything. Similarly, “give up is to optimistic” cannot be the correct answer either, because “optimistic” means hopeful, so we would not expect someone who is optimistic to give up. However, we could logically expect someone who is exhausted (drained of energy) to rest, just as we might expect someone who is asleep to sleepwalk, so “rest is to exhausted” is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Cause And Effect

Complete this analogy.

Flammable is to burnt as frangible is to __________.

Possible Answers:

vase

shards

shattered

justified

delicious

Correct answer:

shattered

Explanation:

An object that is "flammable" can catch on fire, and if something catches on fire, a result is that it becomes burnt afterwards. Since "frangible" means able to be broken, we need to select an answer choice that describes the state of an object after it breaks. We know we need an adjective, which eliminates "shards" and "vase" as possibilities, and of "shattered," "delicious," and "justified," "shattered" is the only option that has anything to do with breaking, so it is the correct answer, since breaking something can result in it being shattered.

Example Question #6 : Cause And Effect

Complete this analogy.

Inflame is to angry as mortify is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sad

tired

calm

embarassed

happy

Correct answer:

embarassed

Explanation:

“Inflame” is a verb that means provoke someone, often making them angry, so inflaming someone could logically make them angry. We need to pick out an answer that describes how someone might feel after being mortified. “Mortify” is a verb that means embarass someone greatly, so “embarrassed” is the correct answer.

Example Question #155 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Drowsy is to sedative as energetic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

tranquilizer

stimulant

medicine 

lethargic

soporific 

Correct answer:

stimulant

Explanation:

A sedative is something you might use in order to make you feel "drowsy," or tired; therefore, in order to solve this analogy you must find which answer choice would most likely be used to make someone feel energetic. The correct answer is "stimulant," which is something that provides energy. A "tranquilizer" would have the same affect as a sedative; "soporific "means causing sleepiness; and "lethargic" means lacking energy.

Example Question #156 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Pleasure is to beam as pain is to __________.

Possible Answers:

scream

expression

grimace 

discomfort

smile 

Correct answer:

grimace 

Explanation:

A "beam" can be defined as to smile or a smile, with a smile being an expression of pleasure. To solve this analogy, you must therefore identify which answer choice is an expression of pain. This should lead you to the correct answer, “grimace,” which means a contorted facial expression expressing disgust or pain.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors