SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #9 : Cause And Effect

Complete this analogy.

Study is to erudite as __________.

Possible Answers:

sleep is to tired

electricity is to lightning

glasses are to sight

plains are to gazelle

exercise is to fit

Correct answer:

exercise is to fit

Explanation:

"Erudite" is an adjective that means knowledgeable and learned. If one studies, one can become erudite, so we're looking for an answer in which the first word is a verb that describes what one can do to have the second word, an adjective, describe them. While "sleep is to tired" may look like a possible answer because you sleep when you are tired, one does not sleep to become tired, so it can't be the right answer. "Exercise is to fit," on the other hand, fits the pattern we're looking for, because if one exercises, one can become fit. Because of this, "exercise is to fit" is the correct answer.

Example Question #10 : Cause And Effect

Complete this analogy.

Coffee is to lethargy as __________.

Possible Answers:

exercise is to strength

tea is to headaches

deodorant is to body odor

medicine is to a cold

fasting is to hunger

Correct answer:

deodorant is to body odor

Explanation:

The relationship here is of cure to malady. Coffee is a cure for lethargy. Fasting is not a cure for hunger, so we can rule that one out. Exercise is not a cure for strength. If anything, it is probably a cure for weakness, so we can rule that one out, too. We can also rule out the answer choice, "Tea is to headaches," because tea is not necessarily a cure for headaches. That leaves us with two choices. The best one is "Deoderant is to body odor," because deoderant is always a cure for body odor. Medicine is only occasionally a cure for a cold.

Example Question #161 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Smaller is to diminish as bigger is to __________.

Possible Answers:

augment 

lessen 

shrink 

weaken 

reduce 

Correct answer:

augment 

Explanation:

If you diminish something than you make it smaller so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices describes the action of making something bigger. The correct answer is “augment” which means to increase, add to, or supplement. For clarification the four other answer choices are all used, like diminish, to describe the action of making something smaller.

Example Question #162 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Funeral is to lament as wedding is to __________.

Possible Answers:

scold

celebrate 

laud 

mourn 

admonish 

Correct answer:

celebrate 

Explanation:

A lament is an expression of grief and sadness which is an act usually undertaken at a funeral; therefore to solve this analogy you have to identify which of these acts is usually undertaken at a wedding. This should lead you to the correct answer, “celebrate.” For clarification, "mourn" means feel sorrow about a past event; "scold" and "admonish" are synonyms that mean tell-off; "laud" means praise.

Example Question #163 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Exhaust is to enervated as energize is to __________.

Possible Answers:

battery

dynamic

nervous

invigorated

tired

Correct answer:

invigorated

Explanation:

Someone who is exhausted is enervated. Someone who is energized is invigorated. 

Example Question #164 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Monsoon is to flood as dehydrated is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

durable

arid

hearty

brittle

parch

Correct answer:

brittle

Explanation:

A "monsoon" is a downpour of heavy rain that results, often, in a flood. In the analogy, both 'monsoon' and "flood" are nouns. "Dehydrated" could be a past-tense verb or an adjective, and requires a matching effect.

"Brittle" (adj) is the answer because it means crisp, fragile, or easily broken into small pieces. This is an effect of being dried out, and it is a matching adjective.

"Parch" (verb) means to dry or burn and is a synonym of "dehydrated," not an effect.

"Durable" (adj) (root "dura" = hard or lasting) means able to last a long time. It is not necessarily a result of being dehydrated.

"Hearty" (adj) (root "heart" = spirit, will (the metaphorical sense)) means healthy and strong, and could be a possible antonym of dehydrated.

"Arid" (adj) means very dry, which is a synonym, not an effect.

Example Question #165 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Award is to proud as disappointment is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

defeat

attainment

somber

forfeit

funereal

Correct answer:

somber

Explanation:

Receiving an "award" causes a feeling of pride, so the analogy demonstrates a cause and effect relationship. "Disappointment" should have a corresponding feeling, an adjective, as "proud" is an adjective.

The correct answer is "somber," which is a description of a serious, gloomy, or dark mood. Following a disappointment, a somber attitude would be a reasonable reaction.

"Defeat" (noun) means a beating or overthrow, which is certainly disappointing, but it is not conveying a mood or feeling. "Defeated" would be suitable.

"Funereal" (adj) is a very dark and depressed feeling or vibe. This is a viable option, but conveys too deep of a depression for a mere disappointment.

"Attainment" (noun) is a victory, or when something is gained, and does not describe a mood. A victory would also be the opposite of a disappointment.

"Forfeit" (noun) when one gives up their opportunity to be victorious. This may be disappointing, but does not describe a mood or feeling.

Example Question #166 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Deify is to God as vilify is to __________.

Possible Answers:

acolyte

preacher

miscreant

mentor

councilor

Correct answer:

miscreant

Explanation:

To "deify" means to make holy, to make like a God, to treat as a God. So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these words means to treat like a villain, to portray someone as evil ("vilify"). The correct answer is "miscreant." A "miscreant" is a criminal, a wicked person. Additionally, a "councilor" is someone who gives advise; a "mentor" is someone with expertise who helps a beginner; an "acolyte" is an assistant; a "preacher" is a religious speaker.

Example Question #167 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to match as drench is to shower.

Possible Answers:

Grouse

Singe

Flammable

Prune

Encumber

Correct answer:

Singe

Explanation:

A "shower" would likely make one very wet or "drench" one. To "drench" means to soak with water, to be completely wet. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these might be caused by a match. Well, a "singe" is a minor burn, so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "prune" means trim, cut into a more orderly arrangement; "grouse" means carp, complain; "encumber" means burden, weigh down with; "flammable" means able to be lit on fire, likely to catch fire.

Example Question #168 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Reify is to real as spay is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

soluble

desiccated

sterile

neuter

poised

Correct answer:

sterile

Explanation:

To "reify" is to make something "real" or more "real." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you make happen by "spaying" something. Well, to "spay" means to "neuter," to make "sterile," to make no longer able to have babies. Additionally, "poised" means calm and under control in a stressful situation, dignified; "desiccated" means dry, made dry by excessive heat; "soluble" means able to be dissolved in water.

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