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 #521 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Marine biology is to fish as microbiology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

bacteria

reptiles 

extinction 

truth 

faith 

Correct answer:

bacteria

Explanation:

"Marine biology" is the study of ocean life, including "fish." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is studied under "microbiology." Well, the roots micro- meaning small and -bio- meaning life should provide sufficient clues. "Microbiology" is the study of microscopic life, like "bacteria."

Example Question #522 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Gibbous is to __________ as crest is to trough.

Possible Answers:

ape

rock

estuary

crescent

space

Correct answer:

crescent

Explanation:

"Crest" and "trough" are specific terms used to describe, respectively, the high and low point of waves. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "gibbous" is used to describe and what it's opposite counterpart might be. Well, a "gibbous" is a term used to describe the moon when the illuminated part is greater than a semicircle, but not a full moon. So, the correct answer is "crescent," which is a term used to describe the moon when the illuminated part is less than a semicircle, but not a new moon. Additionally, an "estuary" is the mouth of a river, where the river meets the ocean.

Example Question #523 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Alpine is to __________ as cardiac is to heart.

Possible Answers:

animals

mountains

feelings

thoughts

trees

Correct answer:

mountains

Explanation:

"Cardiac" means of or related to the "heart." So, to solve his analogy you need to determine which of these words means of or related to "mountains." The correct answer is "alpine," which is drawn from the Alps range of mountains in Western Europe.

Example Question #524 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Hawkish is to _______________ as penitent is to forgiveness.

Possible Answers:

toughness

war

payment

love

loyalty

Correct answer:

war

Explanation:

"Penitent" means feeling regretful and contrite and seeking "forgiveness" for something. So, if someone who is "penitent" is seeking "forgiveness," what is someone who is "hawkish" seeking? Well, "hawkish" means bellicose, desiring conflict or "war."

Example Question #525 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Genetics is to heredity as linguistics is to _________________.

Possible Answers:

conservatism

ethnicity

liberalism

belief

language

Correct answer:

language

Explanation:

"Genetics" is the study of "heredity," the study of how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "linguistics" is the study of. The correct answer is "language."

Example Question #526 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Testosterone is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

adrenaline 

dopamine 

estrogen 

melanin 

hydrogen 

Correct answer:

estrogen 

Explanation:

"Testosterone" is a hormone that is primarily found in "men." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a hormone primarily found in "women." The correct answer is "estrogen." Additionally, "adrenaline" is a hormone that is released under stress and promotes accelerated blood-flow, as well as aggression; "melanin" is a pigment found in skin that is responsible for tanning or darkening of skin; "dopamine" is a chemical present in the brain that is related to the sensation of pleasure

Example Question #527 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Gastronomy is to cooking as osteology is to ____________.

Possible Answers:

bones

eyesight

illness

gems

construction

Correct answer:

bones

Explanation:

"Gastronomy" is the art or science of "cooking" and eating. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "osteology" is the study of. Well, "osteology" is the study of the skeleton or "bones." 

Example Question #528 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Locution is to __________ as gait is to walk.

Possible Answers:

shoot

talk

taste

cook

perform

Correct answer:

talk

Explanation:

The term "gait" refers to the style or manner of someone's "walk," how someone "walks." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is related to "locution." Well, "locution" means the manner or style in which someone "talks."

Example Question #529 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Insulin is to diabetes as penicillin is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cancer

psychopathy

paralysis

insanity

infection

Correct answer:

infection

Explanation:

"Insulin" is something that is used to treat "diabetes." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "penicillin" is used to treat. The correct answer is that "penicillin" treats bacterial "infection." Additionally, "paralysis" is the inability to move or feel sensation; "psychopathy" is a mental illness defined by a lack of empathy and a desire to defeat others in all areas of life.

Example Question #530 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Austral is to __________ as dorsal is to back.

Possible Answers:

front

native

wet

foreign

south

Correct answer:

south

Explanation:

The term "dorsal" means of or relating to the "back" of an animal or organ. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is related to "austral." The correct answer, as you may have guessed from "Australia," is that "austral" means of or relating to the "south."

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