SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #291 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Evanescent is to fleeting as ephemeral is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lasting 

nomadic 

expressive

permanent 

transitory 

Correct answer:

transitory 

Explanation:

Evanescent is a synonym of fleeting so to solve this analogy you must determine the best available synonym for ephemeral. Ephemeral means short-lived. Transitory also has a similar meaning, it means not permanent or existing for a short time. Permanent and lasting are both antonyms. Nomadic means living a detached or wandering lifestyle.

Example Question #292 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Belittle is to demean as delectable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

nourishing 

harsh 

improving 

delicious 

jaunty 

Correct answer:

delicious 

Explanation:

"Belittle" and "demean" are both synonyms that mean to put someone down with unkindness or criticism. "Delectable" means tasty,and therefore the best available synonym is “delicious.” For clarification, "nourishing" means providing nourishment; "harsh" means unfairly critical; "jaunty" means cheerful.

Example Question #293 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Thrive is to flourish as indignant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

energetic 

impressed 

lethargic 

incensed 

interested 

Correct answer:

incensed 

Explanation:

Thrive and flourish are both synonyms that mean to do well or succeed; therefore you need to identify the best synonym for indignant, which means angry or furious. The correct answer is “incensed” which means to have been made very angry. For clarification, "lethargic" means exhausted and is the antonym of energetic.

Example Question #294 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Sycophant is to flatterer as __________.

Possible Answers:

magician is to magic

pancake is to syrup

farmer is to husbandry

king is to monarch

president is to government

Correct answer:

king is to monarch

Explanation:

Since "sycophant" is a noun that means a self-seeking person who flatters powerful people to win their favor, it is a synonym of "flatterer." So, in selecting an answer choice, we're looking for two words which are synonyms. While "farmer is to husbandry" may initially look like a good answer choice, the two words are not synonyms, as a farmer practices husbandry. (If the answer choice said "farming is to husbandry," then it might be considerable). "Monarch is to king" is the best answer choice, because just like a sycophant is a flatterer, a king is a monarch. 

Example Question #295 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Balcony is to mezzanine as porch is to __________.

Possible Answers:

garage

roof

perch

mesmerize

veranda

Correct answer:

veranda

Explanation:

Balcony and mezzanine are synonyms, as are porch and veranda. 

Example Question #296 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Averted is to prevent as augmented is to __________.

Possible Answers:

anguish

avarice

prepare

prevaricate

increase

Correct answer:

increase

Explanation:

When you avert something, you prevent it. When you augment something, you increase it. 

Example Question #297 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete the analogy.

Charmed is to lucky as enemy is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

adversary

awful

conniving

associate

supervisor

Correct answer:

adversary

Explanation:

"Charmed" means having good luck on a consistent basis, making this analogy based on synonyms. "Charmed" and "lucky" are also adjectives, the same part of speech. "Enemy" is a noun, so we are looking for a similar word that is also a noun.

The correct choice is "adversary" (root "vers" = to turn from (think of your back and vertebrae)). An "enemy" is someone who is an opponent, someone you fight with or contest.  

An "associate" (noun) is someone you work with, not against, making it an antonym.

"Conniving" (verb) is the action of a person who is aware or a part of doing something illegal or immoral. This may describe someone who is an enemy, but is not another word for an enemy itself.

"Awful" (adj) is also a description of someone who could be an enemy, but is not a noun.

"Supervisor" (noun) is a noun but does not necessarily mean someone who is an enemy; (prefix "super" = above and root "vis" = to see), referring to someone who manages or oversees others.

Example Question #298 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete the analogy.

Oceanic is to aquatic as extensive is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

pervasive

hefty

exclusive

extrovert

finite

Correct answer:

pervasive

Explanation:

"Oceanic" and "aquatic" are both adjectives referring to taking place in the water or ocean. To follow the analogy, the correct answer should also be an adjective similar in meaning to extensive. "Extensive" means reaching out far. Prefix "ex" = out, root "tens" line.

"Pervasive" (adj), meaning spread throughout, is the correct answer. Prefix "per" = through, root "vas" go.

"Exclusive" (adj) means pertaining to a limited area. Prefix "ex" = out, root "clus" = shut. This is an antonym, not a synonym.

"Finite" (adj) having limits. It is also an antonym of extensive.

"Hefty" (adj) does mean large, but has a connotation that refers to mass.

"Extrovert" (noun) is someone who is outgoing and sociable and who gains energy from social interaction.  Prefix "extro" = outside, beyond, root "vert" turn/change. This could be synonymous if the word were an adjective.

Example Question #299 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Ebb is to recede as ordain is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rescind

sanctify

quibble

ventilate

gratify

Correct answer:

sanctify

Explanation:

"Ebb" and "recede" are synonyms, both words mean go out, move away from. So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is a synonym of "ordain." To "ordain" is to make holy, to make sacred, or to "sanctify." Additionally, "quibble" means complain about something minor, argue about something petty; "rescind" means withdraw, take back; "gratify" means please, give pleasure and satisfaction to; "ventilate" means allow air to circulate, 'air out.'

Example Question #300 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to burden as renounce is to abdicate.

Possible Answers:

Disburse

Encumber

Forge

Sequester

Allot

Correct answer:

Encumber

Explanation:

To begin with "renounce" and "abdicate" are both loosely synonyms of one another. They both mean to give something up, to abandon something. Although usually "renounce" means to give up, to abandon an idea and "abdicate" means to give up on and abandon power. So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these answers has the same meaning as "burden." The correct answer is "encumber" which means burden with, weigh down with. Additionally, "disburse" means spend, pay for; "sequester" means isolate, lock-away; "allot" means assign to, give to; "forge" means either make, create or falsify, make up, lie about.

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