SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Animal-related Terminology

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Animal Related Terminology

Dog is to wolf as cat is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lion

gorilla

shark

kangaroo

giraffe

Correct answer:

lion

Explanation:

A dog is a domesticated canine, while a wolf is a wild canine. So, because a cat is a domesticated feline, we need to pick out an answer choice that describes an animal that is a wild feline. “Lion” is the only answer choice that refers to a wild feline, so “lion” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Animal Related Terminology

Hound is to bay as __________.

Possible Answers:

wolf is to howl

cat is to purr

snake is to hiss

dog is to peninsula

ground is to bar

Correct answer:

wolf is to howl

Explanation:

Hound dogs bay; it is a very specific sound associated strongly with this type of dog (canine). A howl is a specific sound associated strongly with a wolf (also a canine). "Cat is to purr" and "Snake is to hiss" also make some sense, but the BEST fit is "wolf is to howl" as both animals are canines.

Example Question #3 : Animal Related Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Calf is to fledgling as cow is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Bird 

Lion 

Horse 

Dog 

Monkey 

Correct answer:

Bird 

Explanation:

A calf is a young cow, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these animals is an adult version of a fledgling. "Fledgling" can be used in two ways (as an adjective it means youthful or inexperienced), when used in this context, as a noun, it means young bird. So the correct answer is “bird.”

Example Question #1 : Animal Related Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Cow is to beef as deer is to __________.

Possible Answers:

venison 

stag 

mare 

pork 

veal 

Correct answer:

venison 

Explanation:

"Beef" is the name given to the meat product derived from a cow, so to solve this analogy, you need to determine the name of the meat product that is derived from a deer. This should lead you to the correct answer, "venison."

Example Question #2 : Animal Related Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Bee is to hive as rabbit is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fur

apiary

warren

cocoon

nest

Correct answer:

warren

Explanation:

“Hive” means beehive, so it is a place where bees live. That means that we need to pick out an answer choice that is a term for where rabbits live. “Warren" is a noun that means a group of connected rabbit burrows and because rabbits live in a warren like bees live in a hive, “warren” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Animal Related Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Bird is to avian as __________.

Possible Answers:

horse is to equine

bear is to mammalian

lizard is to reptilian

moth is to nocturnal

person is to humane

Correct answer:

horse is to equine

Explanation:

"Avian" is an adjective that means having to do with birds, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word is a noun and the second an adjective specifically meaning having to do with [the first word]. While "person is to humane" may look like a potentially correct answer, "humane" does not mean having to do with humans, but rather compassionate, so it cannot be the correct answer. While "lizard is to reptilian" "horse is to equine," and "bear is to mammalian" may each look correct, more things are reptilian than just lizards, and more things are mammals than just bears; however, just as only birds are avian, only horses are equine, so "horse is to equine" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Aviary is to bird as apiary is to _________.

Possible Answers:

whale 

bee

dolphin 

shark 

monkey 

Correct answer:

bee

Explanation:

An "aviary" is a place for housing birds, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which animal is typically housed in an "apiary." Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to guess this answer unless you have some very specific Latin language experience, but that is why we are here. An "apiary" is a collection of beehives where bees are raised for honey.

Example Question #4 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Gander is to goose as stallion is to __________.

Possible Answers:

foal

gallop

colt

gelding

mare

Correct answer:

mare

Explanation:

"Gander" and "goose" are terms for male and female geese, respectively. "Stallion" and "mare" are terms for male and female horses. (While "goose" is also the term for the entire species of bird, this relationship would require the word for the blank to be "horse," which isn't an available option; so, "gander is to goose" needs to be interpreted as terms for male and female birds of the species.)

Example Question #4 : Animal Related Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Cow is to swan as calf is to __________.

Possible Answers:

swoon

bull

nestling

leg

cygnet

Correct answer:

cygnet

Explanation:

A calf is a young cow, and a cygnet is a young swan.

Example Question #5 : Animal Related Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Dog is to shed as bird is to ­­­__________.

Possible Answers:

Mollify 

Assuage 

Defy 

Molt

Espy 

Correct answer:

Molt

Explanation:

When a dog loses its outer fur this process is called shedding, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what the process by which birds lose their feathers is called. The correct answer is “molt” which means to lose feathers or hair. For clarification, mollify and assuage are synonyms that both mean to alleviate; defy means resist; espy means to notice.

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