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 #22 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Bovine is to cow as ________________.

Possible Answers:

aquarium is to fish

zoology is to safari

paw is to hoof

feline is to cat

zebra is to stripe

Correct answer:

feline is to cat

Explanation:

Bovine is an adjective used to describe something of, relating to, or affecting cows. The correct answer will demonstrate a similar relationship between an adjective and its specific animal. Feline is an adjective used to describe something of, relating to, or resemblant of a cat, and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #23 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Hart is to ________________ as gander is to goose.

Possible Answers:

elephant 

swan 

eggs

hunt

deer

Correct answer:

deer

Explanation:

"Gander" means male "goose." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these animals, when male, is known as a "hart." The correct answer is that a "hart" is an adult, male "deer."

Example Question #24 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Aquiline is to ____________ as leonine is to lion.

Possible Answers:

cow

horse

jungle

eagle

lioness

Correct answer:

eagle

Explanation:

"Leonine" means of or related to "lions," or characteristics of "lions." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which animal is described by the word "aquiline." The correct answer is "eagles." For additional help, "bovine" means related to cows and "equine" means related to horses.

Example Question #25 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Apiarist is to _____________ as swineherd is to pigs.

Possible Answers:

goats

birds

dogs

cows

bees

Correct answer:

bees

Explanation:

A "swineherd" is a farmer who keeps "pigs." So, to solve this analogy you simply need to determine what it is that an "apiarist" keeps. The correct answer is than an "apiarist" is a "beekeeper."

Example Question #1 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

King is to queen as __________.

Possible Answers:

leaf is to green

fog is to weather

donut is to sprinkles

waitress is to waiter

lion is to lioness

Correct answer:

lion is to lioness

Explanation:

"King" is the name for a male royal ruler, and "queen" is the name for a female royal ruler. So, we need to find another set of words where the first word refers to a male of something and the second to a female of that same thing. While "waitress is to waiter" may look like a good answer choice, it is not correct, because the words are in the opposite order; whereas "king is to queen" goes male is to female, "waitress is to waiter" goes female is to male. Since "lion" refers to a male cat of that species and "lioness" a female one, and "lion is to lioness" follows the pattern male is to female, "lion is to lioness" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Governor is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

nurse

magnate

matron

suffragette

philanthropist

Correct answer:

matron

Explanation:

To solve this problem you have to determine which of these answer choices is often used as a female equivalent of "governor." The correct answer is "matron" which means governess, woman in charge of the maintenance of something. Additionally, "philanthropist" means person who gives to charity; a "suffragette" was a woman who campaigned for the right to vote (for the right to 'suffrage'); a "magnate" is a tycoon, a successful person in business.

Example Question #1 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Bachelor is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

baroness

matron

damsel

spinster

duchess

Correct answer:

spinster

Explanation:

A "bachelor" is an unmarried man, likely to be single for a long time. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these matches this same definition for a woman. The correct answer is a "spinster," although it is worth noting that in contemporary society the term "spinster" (and for that matter "bachelor") can carry negative connotations. Additionally, a "matron" is a female governor; a "damsel" is a female character in a story, usually young and beautiful, who needs to be rescued by the male protagonist; "baroness" and "duchess" are both words for different types of female members of the aristocracy.

Example Question #4 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Curmudgeon is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

ancestor

matron 

governess

prognosticator

termagant

Correct answer:

termagant

Explanation:

A "curmudgeon" is a grumpy or bad-tempered person. However, it is generally used almost exclusively to describe old men. Some adjectives and nouns have gendered connotations, such as "dashing" for a man or "beautiful" for a woman. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words might be used to describe a "female curmudgeon." The correct answer is "termagant" which means a mean-spirited or angry woman. Additionally, an "ancestor" is a family member who came before you; a "matron" is a governess, a woman in charge of domestic life for another family; a "prognosticator" is someone who predicts the future.

Example Question #371 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fourth is to press as second is to __________.

Possible Answers:

bourgeoisie

clergy

tycoons

proletariat

nobility

Correct answer:

nobility

Explanation:

Answering this question requires you to know a little French revolutionary history which you will have likely covered in school. The so-called "estates" system of pre-revolution France included the First Estate - Clergy; Second Estate; "Nobility"; Third Estate - Common people. In the nineteenth century the term "the Fourth Estate" was coined to reflect the growing influence and size of the press (media). Additionally, "proletariat" is a collective name for the working class, especially within the realm of Marxism and socialism; "bourgeoisie" means the middle class, again particularly when the conversation involves Marxist political thought.

Example Question #372 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Mother is to __________ as teacher is to substitute.

Possible Answers:

daughter

mediator

surrogate

professor

midwife 

Correct answer:

surrogate

Explanation:

A replacement "teacher" is called a "substitute teacher." Solving this analogy therefore requires you to consider what a "replacement" mother is called. The correct answer is "surrogate." A "surrogate" is a woman who carries another woman's baby. Additionally, a "midwife" is a nurse who especially attends to births and cares for new born babies and post-partem mothers; a "mediator" is someone who helps settle a dispute between two or more parties.

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