SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Match is to spectators as theatre is to _________.

Possible Answers:

actors 

audience 

group 

directors 

members 

Correct answer:

audience 

Explanation:

"Spectators" observe a "match," so to solve this analogy you have to determine which answer choice represents a group of people to observe "theatre." This should lead you to the correct answer, “audience.”

Example Question #2 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Anarchist is to government as abolitionist is to __________.

Possible Answers:

intuition 

diabolical 

religion 

slavery 

judicial system 

Correct answer:

slavery 

Explanation:

An anarchist is someone who believes that government should be abolished. So to solve this analogy you have to determine what it is that an abolitionist would specifically like to abolish. For clarification abolished means got rid of. You might remember from history class but if not an abolitionist is someone who wishes to get rid of slavery. For extra clarification, "diabolical" means very evil; "intuition" means instinct or natural feeling about something.

Example Question #461 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Manicure is to hand as __________.

Possible Answers:

panacea is to heal

trim is to neat

polish is to nails

pedicure is to foot

manifold is to many

Correct answer:

pedicure is to foot

Explanation:

A manicure is the act of trimming the nails on your hand, and a pedicure is the act of trimming the nails on your foot.

Example Question #541 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Bandage is to scrape as suture is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sprain

headache

burn

cut

bruise

Correct answer:

cut

Explanation:

Since one treats a scrape by bandaging it, we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what kind of injury is treated by suturing it. Since "suture" as a noun means stitch(es) used to close a wound, and as a verb means to stitch up a wound, "cut" is the correct answer, because just as bandages are used to treat scrapes, sutures are used to treat cuts.

Example Question #542 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Carnivore is to meat as herbivore is to __________.

Possible Answers:

plants

herbs

omnivore

rocks

water

Correct answer:

plants

Explanation:

Since a "carnivore" is an organism that consumes meat, we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what herbivores consume. While "herbs" might seem like the correct answer, "plants" is actually the better choice because it is a broader category and herbivores may eat plants other than herbs. So, "plants" is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Analyze is to information as __________.

Possible Answers:

fury is to anger

petition is to signature

streamline is to system

dog is to fetch

mess is to organize

Correct answer:

streamline is to system

Explanation:

“Analyze” is a verb that means examine methodically. Because one can analyze information, we need to pick out an answer choice that consists of a verb and a noun to which one logically does the verb’s action. While “streamline is to system” and “mess is to organize” might each look like a potentially correct answer, one does not “mess” an “organize,” so “mess is to organize” cannot be the correct answer; however, “streamline” means increase the efficiency of, so because one might logically streamline a system just like one might logically analyze information, “streamline is to system” is the correct answer.

Example Question #543 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Companionship is to rift as society is to __________.

Possible Answers:

schism 

outspoken 

unhinged

unified 

rebellious

Correct answer:

schism 

Explanation:

A "rift" is something that occurs to break up a "companionship," so you are looking for something that occurs to break up a society. This should lead you to the answer choice “schism,” which means a division in religious or social orthodoxy/order. For clarification, "unhinged" means not stable; "unified" means together; "outspoken" means not afraid to express beliefs or ideas.

Example Question #6 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Brick is to mortar as __________.

Possible Answers:

Paper is to glue

stone is to cement

wood is to nail

bricklayer is to mason

board is to screw

Correct answer:

Paper is to glue

Explanation:

Mortar is the sticky mixture that is used to individual bricks together. The equivalent substance for paper is glue.  You can hold boards together with screws, but screws aren't sticky and gooey like mortar and glue.

Example Question #7 : Subject And Object

Complete this analogy.

Game is to athletes as play is to __________.

Possible Answers:

actors 

audience 

students

participant

producer 

Correct answer:

actors 

Explanation:

A "game" is something that is participated in by athletes, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of the answer choices represents a group that participate in a play. This should lead you to the correct answer, “actors.”

Example Question #544 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Teacher is to students as __________.

Possible Answers:

principal is to classroom

chef is to food

manager is to employees

ocean is to water

salesperson is to cars

Correct answer:

manager is to employees

Explanation:

A teacher leads and directs the activities of his or her students. In the same way, a manager leads and directs the activities of his or her employees. The two relationships are analogous.

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