All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #351 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Erect is to demolish as edify is to __________.
spirit of the time
keep in the dark
run down
over the hill
run out of time
keep in the dark
Erect means to build and demolish means to destroy. These definitions are antonyms of one another so to solve this analogy you have to find the best antonym for edify. To edify something means to build, but to edify a person means to teach or instruct so the most accurate expression of the antonym would be to “keep in the dark.” To keep someone in the dark is an expression that means to withhold information.
Example Question #352 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Erudite is to ignorant as palpable is to __________.
intelligent
informative
incoherent
intangible
illusory
intangible
To be erudite is the opposite of being ignorant; it means to be smart and knowledgeable. In order to solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym for palpable. Palpable describes something that can be felt and is distinctly present. Palpable is a synonym for tangible and is therefore an antonym for “intangible” which is the correct answer. For clarification, "incoherent" means not able to be understood; "illusory" means deceptive, not real.
Example Question #353 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Voluptuary is to ascetic as winsome is to _________.
morose
outrageous
dull
espy
fair
dull
Someone who is “voluptuary” is someone whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. It is a synonym for hedonist or sybarite, but it is an antonym of ascetic which means characterized by the rejection of pleasure and comfort. So to solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym of winsome. Winsome means charming so the correct antonym is “dull.” For clarification, "espy" means to suddenly see; "morose" means very sad.
Example Question #354 : Analogies
General is to specific as catholic is to __________.
religion
Jewish
particular
Presbyterian
atheism
particular
You have probably heard of the Catholic Church, but did you know that the word catholic actually means general? If you know that catholic means general, you can probably tell that the answer choice that you are looking for will probably have the same meaning as the word specific. The only answer choice that works is particular. The others are designed to confuse you and to bring out the religious associations that the word catholic might bring to mind.
Example Question #355 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Dutiful is to disobedient as despondent is to __________.
Purposeful
Disloyal
Hopeful
Frantic
Menacing
Hopeful
Dutiful means loyal or dedicated and is an antonym of disobedient which means not obedient or loyal. To solve this analogy then you have to determine the best available antonym for despondent. Despondent means without hope, depressed and pessimistic so the best antonym is ”hopeful.” For clarification, menacing means threatening; frantic means anxious.
Example Question #356 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Puerile is to mature as quotidian is to __________.
Extraordinary
Regular
Mundane
Normal
Routine
Extraordinary
"Puerile" means immature and is therefore an antonym of mature so to solve this analogy you must identify the best available antonym for quotidian. Quotidian means every-day or ordinary so the correct antonym is “extraordinary.” For clarification, the other four answer choices are all loosely synonyms of quotidian.
Example Question #357 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Swarthy is to fair as dark is to __________.
Black
Evil
Night
Dim
Light
Light
Someone who is swarthy has dark complexion and someone who is fair has light complexion. So swarthy and fair are antonyms whereby swarthy matches with “dark” and fair matches with “light.”
Example Question #358 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Pliant is to inflexible as haughty is to __________.
Depressed
Ashamed
Dominant
Lethargic
Responsive
Ashamed
Pliant means flexible which is an antonym of inflexible, so to solve this analogy you must identify the best available antonym for haughty. Haughty means proud or arrogant, so the correct antonym is “ashamed.” For clarification, lethargic means exhausted or tired; dominant means in control.
Example Question #359 : Analogies
Analogies: Select the pair of words whose relationship is closest to that of the words in capital letters.
Mitigate is to exacerbate as __________.
yell is to scream
warlord is to command
lengthen is to shorten
blade is to grass
edify is to educate
lengthen is to shorten
"Mitigate" means improve, while "exacerbate" means make worse. So, "mitigate" is an antonym of "exacerbate." "Lengthen" is an antonym of "shorten," so "lengthen is to shorten" is the correct answer. "Blade" can mean a leaf of grass. "Edify" means educate. "Yell" and "scream" both mean to cry out with a loud voice. A "warlord" is a military leader. "Command" means order.
Example Question #360 : Analogies
Analogies: Complete this analogy.
Grandiloquent is to simple as nice is to __________.
angry
generous
depressed
mean
optimistic
mean
The best choice is "mean." The relationship between "grandiloquent" and "simple" is that they are antonyms. The word "grandiloquent" means speaking in a lofty or pompous style. Grandiloquence typically involves complex language. "Simple" is the opposite of "complex." Likewise, "mean" is the opposite of "nice."
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
