SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #291 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Blemish is to defect as caprice is to _________________.

Possible Answers:

desire

idea

treaty

goal

whim

Correct answer:

whim

Explanation:

"Blemish" and "defect" are synonyms of one another, they both refer to an imperfection or problem with something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these has the same meaning as "caprice." Well, "caprice" is a sudden and unexpected change in feeling, mood, or behavior. This is very similar in meaning to "whim."

Example Question #292 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Bestow is to give as __________ is to disobey.

Possible Answers:

contravene

infiltrate

extricate

extol

sanction

Correct answer:

contravene

Explanation:

"Bestow" means to confer, to grant someone an award or title or privilege, to "give." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "disobey" (to break the rules). The correct answer is "contravene" (to try and find away around the rules, to violate the rules). Additionally, "infiltrate" means gain access to through sneaky or illicit means; "extricate" means liberate, set free; "extol" means praise; "sanction" means approve, provide official approval for

Example Question #293 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Eavesdrop is to listen as ______________ is to fraternize.

Possible Answers:

condone

consort

commiserate

compile

console

Correct answer:

consort

Explanation:

"Eavesdrop" means to "listen" to something you are not meant to "listen" to. It is loosely a synonym of "listen." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "fraternize." Well, "fraternize" means to associate with, to form a friendship or relationship with. This is very similar in meaning to "consort." It is worth nothing that "fraternize" and "consort" both carry with them the connotation of forming an association with someone you are not meant to be friends with. Additionally, "condone" means allow to happen, give support to an action; "compile" means collect, gather together; "console" means try to comfort someone who is suffering; "commiserate" means share in misery with

Example Question #294 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Beget is to produce as _______________ is to contemplate.

Possible Answers:

glower

envisage

preclude

eradicate

exculpate

Correct answer:

envisage

Explanation:

"Beget" means create, "produce," particularly to "produce" offspring. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "contemplate," which means think deeply about and imagine a solution. The correct answer is "envisage," which means to picture something, to imagine. Additionally, "glower" means stare angrily at; "exculpate" means acquit, find innocent, release from accusations of guilt; "eradicate" means completely remove and destroy; "preclude" means prevent, prohibit, choose not to include.

Example Question #295 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Inception is to commencement as __________ is to favoritism.

Possible Answers:

utilitarianism

racism

fatalism

geocentrism

nepotism

Correct answer:

nepotism

Explanation:

"Inception" and "commencement" are synonyms of one another, they both refer to the beginning of something, the moment when something begins. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words means the same thing as "favoritism." The correct answer is "nepotism," which is the practice of awarding jobs and titles to people who have helped you become powerful or to people you are close with. Additionally, "utilitarianism" is the belief that the morality should be judged on what does the greatest possible good for the greatest number of people; "fatalism" is pessimism, the belief that things will go wrong or end badly; "geocentrism" is the mistaken belief that the Earth is the center of the universe.

Example Question #296 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Augur is to soothsayer as memorial is to __________.

Possible Answers:

orchard

monument

treaty

wave

border

Correct answer:

monument

Explanation:

"Augur" and "soothsayer" are synonyms of one another, both words are used to describe someone who claims to be able to predict the future, an oracle. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "memorial?" Well, a "memorial" is a "monument," to someone, particularly someone who died fighting in a war.

Example Question #297 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Dicey is to uncertain as __________ is to embryonic.

Possible Answers:

pusillanimous

sinewy

pugnacious

torpid

rudimentary

Correct answer:

rudimentary

Explanation:

"Dicey" and "uncertain" are synonyms, both words mean not certain, (of a situation) risky and unsafe. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "embryonic." Well, "embryonic" means in a state of infancy, in the beginning stages. This is identical in meaning to "rudimentary." Additionally, "sinewy" means brawny, muscular; "torpid" means lethargic, sluggish, lacking vigor; "pugnacious" means aggressive, seeking to fight; "pusillanimous" means cowardly.

Example Question #298 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Abeyance is to suspension as accouterments is to __________.

Possible Answers:

notions

equipment

strength

politics

armaments

Correct answer:

equipment

Explanation:

"Abeyance" means "suspension," a temporary state of pausing or immobility. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "accouterments?" Well, "accouterments" means items carried or owned for specific use. This is the same meaning as "equipment." Additionally, "notions" are ideas, thoughts; "armaments" are weapons.

Example Question #299 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Insouciant is to __________ as ostensible is to apparent.

Possible Answers:

blasé

loquacious

nominal

drastic

abstruse

Correct answer:

blasé

Explanation:

"Ostensible" and "apparent" are synonyms, both words mean manifest and obvious or having the appearance of being true but not necessarily being so. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "insouciant?" Well, "insouciant" means indifferent, showing an inappropriate lack of concern for something. This is identical in meaning to "blasé." Additionally, "loquacious" means talkative; "drastic" means extreme, intense; "nominal" means insignificant, not important; "abstruse" means esoteric, hard to understand.

Example Question #300 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Fracas is to _______________ as missive is to letter.

Possible Answers:

shard

hiatus

aplomb

brawl

guise

Correct answer:

brawl

Explanation:

A "missive" is a "letter," particularly an official "letter." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "fracas." Well, a "fracas" is a quarrel, a noisy and chaotic fight. This is very close in definition to a "brawl," which means a chaotic fight, usually involving more than two people. Additionally, "aplomb" means skill or poise; "guise" is a likeness, an appearance of; "shard" means fragment, broken off piece of something; a "hiatus" is an extended break from something

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