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 #1 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Dune is to sand as drift is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pathway

snow

water

marble

air

Correct answer:

snow

Explanation:

"Dune" is a noun defined as a mound of sediment, such as sand. Because dunes are composed of sand, we need to pick out an answer choice that refers to the substance of which a drift can consist. "Drift" is defined as a pile of snow, leaves, or other material formed by the wind, so "snow" is the correct answer because just as sand forms dunes when it is blown into piles by the wind, snow forms drifts when it is blown into piles by the wind.

Example Question #2 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Bottle is to glass as __________.

Possible Answers:

window is to brick

wall is to gelatin

box is to cardboard

table is to air

cloth is to electricity

Correct answer:

box is to cardboard

Explanation:

A bottle might logically be made of glass, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word is a noun conveying an object, and the second word a noun describing a material of which that object might logically be made. While “box is to cardboard,” “table is to air,” and “wall is to gelatin” each follow the pattern of a word conveying an object followed by a word conveying a material, one would not expect a table to be made of air or a wall to be made of gelatin, so neither “table is to air” nor “wall is to gelatin” can be the correct answer. One might logically expect a box to be made of cardboard, however, just as one might logically expect a bottle to be made of glass, so “box is to cardboard” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Cardboard is to box as __________.

Possible Answers:

wood is to igloo

sheep is to wool

metal is to chain

socks are to nest

clay is to pot

Correct answer:

clay is to pot

Explanation:

Since boxes can be made of cardboard, we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word describes a substance of which the second word can be made. Both "clay is to pot" and "metal is to chain" could be correct answers. However, "clay is to pot" is the better answer because a pot, like a box, is a type of container, unlike a chain. So, the correct answer is "clay is to pot."

Example Question #3 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Square is to circle as rectangle is to __________.

Possible Answers:

globe

semicircle

sphere

diamond

oval

Correct answer:

oval

Explanation:

In a "square" and a "circle" the distance from the center to any point on the outside is always the same as the distance from the center to any other point on the outside. A "circle" might be seen as "a round square." So, which of these could be seen as a "round rectangle?" The correct answer is an "oval." An "oval" is a round, elongated shape. Additionally, a "sphere" is a three-dimensional circle, an example of a "sphere" is a "globe."

Example Question #4 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Coven is to ______________ as guild is to tradesmen.

Possible Answers:

hikers

teachers

animals

scientists

witches

Correct answer:

witches

Explanation:

A group of "tradesmen" is called a "guild." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these, when taken as a group, is called a "coven." The correct answer is that a "coven" is a group of "witches." 

Example Question #5 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Anthology is to _______________ as encyclopedia is to information.

Possible Answers:

chickens

fruits

stories

puzzles

students

Correct answer:

stories

Explanation:

An "encyclopedia" is a book that contains a collection of "information." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what an "anthology" is a collection of. The correct answer is that an "anthology" is a collection of "stories."

Example Question #6 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Dune is to ______________ as downs is to grass.

Possible Answers:

sand

ice

space

desert

arctic

Correct answer:

sand

Explanation:

"Downs" are small, rolling hills made of "grass." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "dunes" are made of. The correct answer is that a "dune" is made of "sand." "Dunes" are typically found in the "desert."

Example Question #7 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Portfolio is to artwork as troupe is to ______________.

Possible Answers:

friends 

relatives 

ideas 

actors

pilots

Correct answer:

actors

Explanation:

A "portfolio" is a collection of "artwork" produced by an individual. So, if a "portfolio" is a collection of "artwork," what is a "troupe" a collection of? The correct answer is that a "troupe" is a group of entertainers, like "artists" or musicians, who travel and perform together

Example Question #8 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Anvil is to __________ as lumber is to wood.

Possible Answers:

diamond

iron

hammer

gold

wheat

Correct answer:

iron

Explanation:

"Lumber" is timber that has been chopped into planks. It is made from "wood," so to solve this analogy you need to determine what an "anvil" is made from. Well, an "anvil" is made from "iron," it is a type of "hammer" used to shape metal.

Example Question #11 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Phalanx is to soldiers as retinue is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sorcerers

children

surgeons

advisers

animals

Correct answer:

advisers

Explanation:

A "phalanx" is a type of military formation. It is comprised of "soldiers," so to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "retinue" is comprised of. Well, a "retinue" is a group of people with various skills and abilities who give advice to a ruler or other such important person. So, the correct answer is "advisers."

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