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 #391 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Ebb is to flow as crest is to __________.

Possible Answers:

meander 

middle 

ramble 

trough 

circumvent

Correct answer:

trough 

Explanation:

Ebb and flow are antonyms usually used to describe the movement of waves and tides. They “flow” in towards land and “ebb” away from land. Crest is a term used to describe the top of a curve or wave so you have to identify which of the answer choices describes the bottom of a curve or wave. You might remember this from science class, but if not, the correct answer is “trough.” For clarification, "meander" means to move forward indirectly from side-to-side; "ramble" means to go on-and-on without purpose; "circumvent" means to avoid.

Example Question #392 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Burgeon is to dwindle as erroneous is to _________.

Possible Answers:

mistaken 

forsaken 

correct 

invalid

laidback 

Correct answer:

correct 

Explanation:

Burgeon means to grow or flourish and dwindle means to shrink or diminish. These are antonyms of one another, so to solve this analogy you need to find the best available antonym for erroneous. Erroneous means untrue or incorrect; so in this instance the best antonym is “correct.” For clarification, "invalid" and "mistaken" are both synonyms of "erroneous;" "forsaken" means abandoned; "laidback" means relaxed.

Example Question #21 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Erect is to demolish as edify is to __________.

Possible Answers:

spirit of the time

over the hill

keep in the dark 

run down 

run out of time 

Correct answer:

keep in the dark 

Explanation:

Erect means to build and demolish means to destroy. These definitions are antonyms of one another so to solve this analogy you have to find the best antonym for edify. To edify something means to build, but to edify a person means to teach or instruct so the most accurate expression of the antonym would be to “keep in the dark.” To keep someone in the dark is an expression that means to withhold information.

Example Question #22 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Erudite is to ignorant as palpable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

informative 

illusory

intelligent

intangible 

incoherent 

Correct answer:

intangible 

Explanation:

To be erudite is the opposite of being ignorant; it means to be smart and knowledgeable. In order to solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym for palpable. Palpable describes something that can be felt and is distinctly present. Palpable is a synonym for tangible and is therefore an antonym for “intangible” which is the correct answer. For clarification, "incoherent" means not able to be understood; "illusory" means deceptive, not real.

Example Question #23 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Voluptuary is to ascetic as winsome is to _________.

Possible Answers:

dull

morose 

outrageous

espy 

fair 

Correct answer:

dull

Explanation:

Someone who is “voluptuary” is someone whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. It is a synonym for hedonist or sybarite, but it is an antonym of ascetic which means characterized by the rejection of pleasure and comfort. So to solve this analogy you have to identify the best antonym of winsome. Winsome means charming so the correct antonym is “dull.” For clarification, "espy" means to suddenly see; "morose" means very sad.

Example Question #24 : Antonyms

General is to specific as catholic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

atheism

Jewish

particular

religion

Presbyterian

Correct answer:

particular

Explanation:

You have probably heard of the Catholic Church, but did you know that the word catholic actually means general? If you know that catholic means general, you can probably tell that the answer choice that you are looking for will probably have the same meaning as the word specific. The only answer choice that works is particular. The others are designed to confuse you and to bring out the religious associations that the word catholic might bring to mind.

Example Question #25 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Dutiful is to disobedient as despondent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Disloyal

Frantic 

Menacing 

Purposeful

Hopeful

Correct answer:

Hopeful

Explanation:

Dutiful means loyal or dedicated and is an antonym of disobedient which means not obedient or loyal. To solve this analogy then you have to determine the best available antonym for despondent. Despondent means without hope, depressed and pessimistic so the best antonym is ”hopeful.” For clarification, menacing means threatening; frantic means anxious.

Example Question #26 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Puerile is to mature as quotidian is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Regular 

Normal 

Routine 

Mundane

Extraordinary 

Correct answer:

Extraordinary 

Explanation:

"Puerile" means immature and is therefore an antonym of mature so to solve this analogy you must identify the best available antonym for quotidian. Quotidian means every-day or ordinary so the correct antonym is “extraordinary.” For clarification, the other four answer choices are all loosely synonyms of quotidian.

Example Question #27 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Swarthy is to fair as dark is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Black 

Evil

Dim 

Light 

Night 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

Someone who is swarthy has dark complexion and someone who is fair has light complexion. So swarthy and fair are antonyms whereby swarthy matches with “dark” and fair matches with “light.”

Example Question #28 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Pliant is to inflexible as haughty is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Ashamed 

Dominant 

Depressed 

Responsive 

Lethargic

Correct answer:

Ashamed 

Explanation:

Pliant means flexible which is an antonym of inflexible, so to solve this analogy you must identify the best available antonym for haughty. Haughty means proud or arrogant, so the correct antonym is “ashamed.” For clarification, lethargic means exhausted or tired; dominant means in control.

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