SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #691 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Chores is to __________ as scion is to prosperous.

Possible Answers:

laconic

reverie

ebullient

pestilent

quotidian

Correct answer:

quotidian

Explanation:

A "scion" is an heir to a fortune, a wealthy individual who inherits their money from the family business. A quality of a "scion" is therefore to be "prosperous," which means rich and successful. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with "chores." Well, "chores" are boring, commonplace, mundane, and ordinary, so they can be called "quotidian." Additionally, "pestilent" means deadly, (of a disease) destructive; "ebullient" means excited and enthusiastic; "laconic" means brief; "reverie" is daydream.

Example Question #692 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Prevaricator is to evasive as ______________ is to seraphic.

Possible Answers:

mountain

demon

convict

angel 

sailor

Correct answer:

angel 

Explanation:

A "prevaricator" is someone who frequently lies and tries to talk their way around the truth. A quality of a "prevaricator" is to be "evasive" (seek to conceal the truth through avoiding talking about). So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "seraphic." Well, "seraphic" means beatific, angelic, blissful. So, the correct answer is "angel."

Example Question #693 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Axiom is to __________ as centrist is to moderate.

Possible Answers:

ancient

false

unknown

recent

true

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

A "centrist" is someone who is neither far to the right or far to the left on the political spectrum. So, a quality of a "centrist" is to be "moderate." Which of these is a quality of an "axiom?" Well, an "axiom" is an established or widely accepted truth. So, a quality of an "axiom" is to be "true." 

Example Question #694 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Charity is to __________ as corporation is to competitive.

Possible Answers:

unwavering

melodic

poignant

fecund

philanthropic

Correct answer:

philanthropic

Explanation:

A quality commonly associated with a "corporation" is to be "competitive." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with a "charity." The correct answer is to be "philanthropic," which means charitable. Additionally, "unwavering" means steadfast, not deviating from; "melodic" means pleasant-sounding; "fecund" means abundant, plentiful, existing in large supplies; "poignant" means making one feel keenly sad, happy, or otherwise emotional, 'touching' and 'moving.' 

Example Question #695 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Diaspora is to exiled as __________ is to wealthy.

Possible Answers:

mogul

ingress

boor

aperture

vagabond

Correct answer:

mogul

Explanation:

The term "diaspora" is used to refer to a group of people who exist outside of their historical homeland, but still retain a unique cultural, national, or religious identity. A common quality of a "diaspora" is to be "exiled," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these nouns might be associated with the word "wealthy." The correct answer is "mogul," which means tycoon, a powerful person in business. Additionally, a "boor" is a rude person; "ingress" means entrance; "aperture" means opening, hole; a "vagabond" is a homeless person who wanders from place to place.

Example Question #696 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Nonentity is to inconsequential as sojourn is to __________.

Possible Answers:

deferential

eternal

surreptitious

temporary

contrite

Correct answer:

temporary

Explanation:

A "nonentity" is a person or thing with no noteworthy qualities, something profoundly unimportant. So, a quality of a "nonentity" is to be "inconsequential," which of these is a quality of a "sojourn." Well, a "sojourn" is a brief, "temporary" stay somewhere. Additionally, "deferential" means respectful, willing to allow others to take control; "contrite" means remorseful, feeling sorry for a wrong; "surreptitious" means clandestine, deliberately kept secret so as to avoid censure; "eternal" means lasting forever.

Example Question #697 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Limerick is to __________ as phosphorus is to luminous.

Possible Answers:

bestial

ponderous

incumbent

humorous

celestial

Correct answer:

humorous

Explanation:

"Phosphorous" is a chemical element known for its properties of spontaneous combustion and illumination in the dark. So, a quality of "phosphorous" is to be "luminous," which means emitting light. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "limerick." Well, a "limerick" is a short, five-lined poem that is funny and usually obscene. A quality of a "limerick" is to be "humorous." Additionally, "ponderous" means slow-moving or boring; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done; "celestial" means divine, heavenly; "bestial" means savage, wild.

Example Question #698 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Nanosecond is to brief as __________ is to prosaic.

Possible Answers:

textbook

aperture

cupboard

poem

ditty

Correct answer:

textbook

Explanation:

A "nanosecond" is an incredibly small passage of time. A quality of a "nanosecond" is to be "brief," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these could be described as "prosaic." Well, "prosaic" means having the quality of prose, writing that is not poetic. So, the correct answer is a "textbook." Additionally, an "aperture" is an opening; a "ditty" is a playful song.

Example Question #699 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Devotee is to __________ as curmudgeon is to surly.

Possible Answers:

unseemly 

ingenuous 

creative 

cautious 

religious 

Correct answer:

religious 

Explanation:

A "curmudgeon" is a grumpy old-man, someone who is mean-spirited and not cheerful. So, a quality of a "curmudgeon" is to be "surly" (bad-tempered, irritable). Which of these is a quality of a "devotee?" Well, a "devotee" is someone who is committed to an institution or idea, usually a "religious" institution or idea. So, a quality of a "devotee" is to be "religious." 

Example Question #700 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Philanderer is to licentious as shark is to __________.

Possible Answers:

quiescent

celibate

predatory

homely

equitable

Correct answer:

predatory

Explanation:

A "philanderer" is a man who has many illicit sexual affairs with various women. So, a quality of a "philanderer" is to be "licentious," which means dissolute, promiscuous, depraved, prone to having many sexual encounters. To solve this analogy then you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with a "shark." The correct answer is to be "predatory," which means of a hunting nature. Additionally, "celibate" means abstinent, to be abstaining from sexual encounters; "equitable" means fair, honest, unbiased; "homely" means plain in appearance, unattractive; "quiescent" means at rest, inactive

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