SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #681 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Squalid is to hovel as __________ is to mansion.

Possible Answers:

precarious

factious

ostentatious

contrite

obfuscating

Correct answer:

ostentatious

Explanation:

A "hovel" is a shack, a small and dirty house. A quality generally associated with a "hovel" is to be "squalid," which means (of a building) extremely unclean and in poor condition, neglected. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality generally associated with a "mansion" (large, expensive house). The correct answer is "ostentatious," which means designed to be impressive and attractive, luxurious and fancy. Additionally, "precarious" means dangerous, uncertain; "contrite" means remorseful, feeling sorry for a wrong done; "factious" means tending to cause disagreement; "obfuscating" means confusing, to make unclear or unfamiliar.

Example Question #682 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Plateau is to flat as basin is to ____________________.

Possible Answers:

concave

lukewarm

lofty

dry

serene

Correct answer:

concave

Explanation:

A "plateau" is a lengthy area of flat, elevated land. A quality of a "plateau" is to be "flat." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "basin." Well, a "basin" is like a valley, something bowl-shaped that contains water. So, a quality of a "basin" is to be "concave" which means curving inwards, sunken. Additionally, "lofty" means high; "serene" means calm and peaceful; "lukewarm" means tepid, neither hot or cold

Example Question #683 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Rainbow is to iridescent as __________ is to obsequious.

Possible Answers:

hero

villain

master

doctor

butler

Correct answer:

butler

Explanation:

"Iridescent" means having many different colors, which seem different from different angles. It is a quality associated with "rainbows" that they are "iridescent." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is generally associated with being "obsequious." Well, "obsequious" means servile, obedient and overly fixated on serving someone else. This is a quality that might be associated with a "butler." 

Example Question #684 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Corpse is to _____________ as pauper is to impecunious.

Possible Answers:

lively

cemetery

pallid

juvenile

ghost 

Correct answer:

pallid

Explanation:

A "pauper" is a poor person who begs for money in order to survive. A quality of a "pauper" is to be "impecunious" (penniless). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "corpse" (dead body). The correct answer is "pallid," which means pale, lacking color. Additionally, "juvenile" means immature, youthful; "lively" means spirited, full of life

Example Question #685 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Gourmand is to eating as _______________ is to drinking.

Possible Answers:

pedagogue

luminary

inebriate

sorcerer

adulterer

Correct answer:

inebriate

Explanation:

A "gourmand" is someone who enjoys "eating" and routinely eats too much, a glutton. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a word for someone who enjoys "drinking" and routinely drinks too much, a drunkard. The correct answer is an "inebriate." Additionally, a "sorcerer" is a magician; a "pedagogue" is a teacher; a "luminary" is a famous and notable person within a certain field; an "adulterer" is someone who cheats on their spouse, someone who has affairs

Example Question #686 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Vision is to blurry as hearing is to ________________.

Possible Answers:

loudspeaker

crass

radio

obsolete

muffled

Correct answer:

muffled

Explanation:

When dealing with vision, something that is blurry cannot be seen clearly. Similarly, when dealing with hearing, something that is muffled can not be heard clearly. Both examples demonstrate a relationship of perception and quality, therefore making muffled the correct answer.

Example Question #687 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Malefactor is to ________________ as telegraph is to outmoded.

Possible Answers:

docile

opulent

imbecilic

nefarious

recondite

Correct answer:

nefarious

Explanation:

A quality generally associated with the "telegraph" is that it is antiquated, out-of-date, or "outmoded." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality generally associated with a "malefactor." Well, a "malefactor" is is a criminal, someone who does wicked or bad things. So, the correct answer is "nefarious," which means wicked, evil, sinful. Additionally, "opulent" means luxurious; "docile" means tame, domesticated, subservient and under control; "imbecilic" means idiotic, foolish; "recondite" means (of knowledge) known only by a privileged few, arcane, esoteric

Example Question #688 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Nonagenarian is to elderly as braggart is to ________________.

Possible Answers:

precarious

acclaimed

sinewy

deferential

overweening

Correct answer:

overweening

Explanation:

A "nonagenarian" is an old person in their nineties. A quality of a "nonagenarian" then is to be "elderly." Which of these is a quality of a "braggart?" Well, a "braggart" is an arrogant person who brags about themselves a lot. So, a quality of a "braggart" is to be "overweening" (excessively confident, cocky and arrogant). Additionally, "sinewy" means brawny, muscular; "precarious" means dangerous and uncertain; "acclaimed" means widely praised; "deferential" means respectful, being comfortable allowing others to speak or take the lead.

Example Question #689 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Friar is to religious as maverick is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

unorthodox

ignorant

cagey

blithe

wizened

Correct answer:

unorthodox

Explanation:

A "friar" is a member of certain religious orders in Christianity, something like a monk. A quality of a "friar" then is to be "religious." Which of these is a quality of a "maverick?" Well, a "maverick" is someone who does not play by society's rules, someone who is "unorthodox." To help you, "unorthodox" means not ordinary, against the usual way of doing things. Additionally, "cagey" means careful and shrewd; "wizened" means showing the wrinkled appearance of old-age; "blithe" means casual, indifferent, showing too little concern for something important; "ignorant" means not educated about, stupid

Example Question #690 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Laceration is to painful as pedant is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

posthumous

restless

nominal

fastidious

limpid

Correct answer:

fastidious

Explanation:

A "laceration" is a deep cut in one's skin. A quality of a "laceration" is that it is "painful." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with a "pedant." Well, a "pedant" is someone overly concerned with details or following the rules, a perfectionist. So, a quality of a "pedant" is to be "fastidious" (overly concerned with details and accuracy). Additionally, "limpid" means clear; "nominal" means insignificant; "restless" means incapable of resting, having lots of energy; "posthumous" means happening or awarded after someone has died.

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