All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
__________ is to thief as construct is to builder.
Impute
Tantalize
Relegate
Implicate
Purloin
Purloin
Constructing things is something that a "builder" would do, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is something a thief might do. "Thieves" tends to steal, so the correct answer is "purloin." Additionally, "impute" means attribute to; "tantalize" means tease; "relegate" means demote to an inferior position; "implicate" means suggest is guilty or responsible.
Example Question #3 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
__________ is to serve as sovereign is to rule.
Journalist
Peon
Clergyman
Oligarch
Monarch
Peon
A "sovereign" is a monarch, someone who "rules." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is someone who "serves." The correct answer is "peon" which means servant, slave, someone who serves a ruler. Additionally, a "monarch" is a king or queen; an "oligarch" is someone wealthy who has political power in a country; a "clergyman" is a member of the clergy, a member of the church; a "journalist" is someone who reports the news.
Example Question #481 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Despot is to tyranny as ______________.
guardian is to youth
ruler is to evil
potentate is to deceit
criminal is to jail
oracle is to prophecy
oracle is to prophecy
A "despot" by definition engages in tyranny. A "despot" is a person who has absolute power and uses it in a cruel or evil way. "Tyranny" is cruel and oppressive authority. So by definition, a despot is one who engages in tyranny.
Is an "oracle" one who engages in prophecy? By definition, yes. An "oracle" was a person who acted as a messenger between the gods and mortals, telling the future often in hard to understand riddles. And "prophecy" is simply prediction about the future.
Is a "potentate" one who engages in deceit? Not necessarily. A "potentate" is a ruler who holds all or most of the power. This is a distracting answer choice, because there is a similarity between a despot and a potentate, and both tyranny and deceit are negative words, so you might be tempted to think this is the answer. You also might think that "ruler is to evil" is the answer because of the similarities of the words to those in the question, but a "ruler" is a neutral word, neither good nor bad by definition.
Does a "criminal" engage in jail? Not exactly. A "criminal" may go to jail, but the connection isn’t the same, and the definition of a "criminal" is one who breaks a law, not one who goes to jail, that would be a "prisoner" or "convict."
Does a guardian engage in youth? No. A "guardian" is a protector, defender, or supervisor. A youth (meaning a person under the age of 18) may be placed in the care of a guardian, but youth isn’t a defining characteristic of a guardian in the way a despot is defined by tyranny.
Example Question #601 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Complete this analogy.
Heart is to palpitate as scalpel is to ____________.
fetter
stymie
provoke
incise
allure
incise
"Palpitate" means to beat rapidly or intensely. An action done by a "heart" is to "palpitate," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action done by a "scalpel." Well, a "scalpel" is a medical instrument used for cutting. So, the correct answer is "incise." Additionally, "allure" means attract, tempt; "stymie" means hinder, obstruct, prevent; "provoke" means cause a reaction, cause to take action; "fetter" means shackle, tie up.
Example Question #602 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Complete this analogy.
Overseer is to supervise as pedagogue is to ______________.
supplant
juxtapose
extol
edify
bequeath
edify
An "overseer" is a supervisor, a watchman, someone who observes and watches over the behavior of others. So, the role of an "overseer" is to "supervise." What is the role of a "pedagogue?" Well, a "pedagogue" is a teacher. So, the correct answer is "edify," which means teach, build, instruct. Additionally, "supplant" means replace; "extol" means praise; "bequeath" means leave to, give to following one's death; "juxtapose" means compare side-by-side.
Example Question #603 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Complete this analogy.
Parson is to preach as spelunker is to ______________.
discuss
write
berate
explore
deserve
explore
A "parson" is a vicar, a clergyman. An action undertaken by a "parson" is "preaching." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that a "spelunker" might do. Well, a "spelunker" is a cave-diver, someone who "explores" caves. Additionally, "berate" means scold, yell at for a long time.
Example Question #604 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Complete this analogy.
Raconteur is to __________ as cataract is to cascade.
reprimand
disparage
narrate
elongate
covet
narrate
A "cataract" is another name for a waterfall. Waterfall's "cascade," which means (of water) to fall and flow rapidly. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what action is undertaken by a "raconteur." Well, a "raconteur" is a storyteller, someone who "narrates." Additionally, "elongate" means make longer; "reprimand" means yell at, punish; "disparage" means mock, make fun of in a mean way; "covet" means envy and desire, to want something someone else has.
Example Question #605 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal
Complete this analogy.
Interlocutor is to talk as __________ is to peregrinate.
conspirator
wanderer
mendicant
sorcerer
neophyte
wanderer
An "interlocutor" is a person involved in a conversation. So, an action undertaken by a "interlocutor" is to "talk." To solve this analogy then you have to determine which of these would be likely to "peregrinate." Well, "peregrinate" means to wander or travel around. So, the correct answer is "wanderer." Additionally, a "neophyte" is a beginner; a "conspirator" is someone who participates in a plot or scheme with others; a "sorcerer" is a magician, a wizard, someone who does magic; a "mendicant" is a beggar, especially one of religious persuasion.
Example Question #62 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, And Subject/Object
Complete this analogy.
Founder is to __________ as permute is to computer.
watch
phone
pencil
ship
zoo
ship
"Permute" means to calculate, to take many variables and come to a calculation. Something that "permutes" is a "computer," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these might "founder." Well, "founder" means (of a "ship) to fill with water and subsequently sink.
Example Question #1 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition
Copper is to brass as iron is to __________.
bronze
metal
cast
lead
steel
steel
Brass is an alloy of copper, and steel is an alloy of iron.