SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Exaggeration is to hyperbole as peaceable is to _________.

Possible Answers:

amicable

disgraceful

parsimonious

quaint 

unworthy 

Correct answer:

amicable

Explanation:

Exaggeration and hyperbole are synonyms that both mean to overstate something. So to solve this analogy you have to determine which of the answer choices is the best synonym for peaceable. Peaceable means friendly and disposed toward avoiding conflict, the correct answer is therefore “amicable” which means friendly and disinclined toward conflict. For clarification, "quaint" means cute and old-fashioned; "parsimonious" means frugal and economical.

Example Question #22 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Palace is to ostentatious as hovel is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Big 

Lofty 

Luscious

Dirty 

Whimsical 

Correct answer:

Dirty 

Explanation:

Ostentatious means luxurious and showy which is a quality that would usually describe a palace. So to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is a quality usually associated with a hovel. A hovel is a shack; a small, dirty and poor home. The correct answer is therefore “dirty.” For clarification, "luscious" means succulent; "whimsical" means quirky; "lofty" means ambitious or big.

Example Question #23 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Dollar is to currency as cartographer is to __________.

Possible Answers:

map 

profession 

building 

animal 

desire 

Correct answer:

profession 

Explanation:

A dollar is a type of currency so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices a cartographer is a type of. A "cartographer" is someone who makes maps so the correct answer is “profession” which is a synonym for job.

Example Question #24 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Spiteful is to malicious as noise is to __________.

Possible Answers:

wanton 

din 

quiet 

loft 

impressive 

Correct answer:

din 

Explanation:

Spiteful and malicious are synonyms that describe mean and hurtful behavior. So to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is a synonym for noise. The correct answer is therefore “din.” A “din” is a loud, persistent noise. For clarification, "wanton" means random.

Example Question #25 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Esteem is to admire as contempt is to __________.

Possible Answers:

friendship 

association 

disgust 

love 

apathy 

Correct answer:

disgust 

Explanation:

To hold something in esteem means to respect and admire it. So to solve this analogy you have to figure out which one of the answer choices is most similar in meaning to “to hold someone in contempt.” To have contempt for someone means you dislike and are disgusted by it. So the correct answer is “disgust.” For clarification, "apathy" means not caring.

Example Question #26 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Friend is to amity as enemy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ludicrous 

vitality 

judicial 

animosity 

homeopathy 

Correct answer:

animosity 

Explanation:

Amity means friendliness and so describes the sort of relationship that would be experienced between two friends. So to solve this analogy you have to determine which of the answer choices best describes the sort of relationship experienced by two enemies. This should lead you to “animosity” which means hostility or ill-feeling. For clarification, "ludicrou"s means absurd; "vitality" means youthfulness and energy; "homeopathy" is a type of disease treatment system in which natural remedies are of primary importance; "judicial" means to be fair and wise in making decisions.

Example Question #27 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Orator is to virtuoso as charlatan is to ­­__________.

Possible Answers:

student 

teacher 

genius 

essayist 

fraudster 

Correct answer:

fraudster 

Explanation:

An orator is someone skilled at public speaking and a virtuoso is someone who is skilled at anything in particular, so an orator is a type of virtuoso. A "charlatan" is an imposter and is therefore a type of “fraudster.”

Example Question #28 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Xenophobia is to foreigners as acrophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Insects 

Natives 

Religion 

Heights 

Fire 

Correct answer:

Heights 

Explanation:

Xenophobia is the fear of foreigners. So to solve this analogy you have to determine what acrophobia is a fear of. The correct answer is “height.” The suffix –phobia will always describe a fear.

Example Question #29 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Commodious is to spacious as domicile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Wizard 

Home

Circus 

Dog 

Work 

Correct answer:

Home

Explanation:

Commodious and spacious are both synonyms that mean roomy or ample space. So to solve this analogy you need to determine the best synonym for domicile. The prefix dom- usually relates to house or home so the correct answer is “home.”

Example Question #30 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Agoraphobia is to open spaces as arachnophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Spiders 

Fire 

Crowds 

Heights 

Insects 

Correct answer:

Spiders 

Explanation:

Agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces. So to solve this analogy you have to determine what arachnophobia is a fear of. You may have noticed that the prefix arachn- is the same as in arachnid (which is another word for spider) so an arachnophobia is a fear of spiders.

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