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 #701 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Credulity is to unbelievable as apathy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

weird

interesting

boring

following

gullible

Correct answer:

interesting

Explanation:

If you regard things with credulity, you find nothing unbelievable. If you regard things with apathy, you find nothing interesting.

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Pulmonary is to lungs as cardiac is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pump

kidney

heart

tongue

circulation

Correct answer:

heart

Explanation:

The word “pulmonary” comes from the Latin word for the lungs. It is used to in English to describe physical conditions related to these organs, as when someone has pulmonary embolism, which is a type of blockage of blood to the lung. Just as “pulmonary” describes the lungs, “cardiac” describes conditions related to the heart.

Example Question #702 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Craven is to bravery as scarce is to __________.

Possible Answers:

abundance

bold

craving

rarity

cowardice

Correct answer:

abundance

Explanation:

To be craven is to lack bravery. To be scarce is to lack abundance.

Example Question #703 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

RECLUSE : SOLITARY

Possible Answers:

crowd : unruly

pasture : windy

animal : surly 

artist : creative

landlord : polite

Correct answer:

artist : creative

Explanation:

A recluse is someone who is defined as being solitary or apart from society. An artist is someone who is defined as being creative. Thus, the two relationships between the pairs of words are the same.  

Example Question #703 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Nomadic is to tribe as permanent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

civilization 

culture

anthropology

city

society

Correct answer:

city

Explanation:

The word "nomadic" can be a characteristic of a tribe. Therefore, the correct answer will be an answer choice that can be described as "permanent." The word "permanent" is used as the opposite of "nomadic," so in this context it means non-moving or consistently located in the same location. The noun that is best described by this word is "city," which is therefore the correct answer. 

Example Question #704 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Torrid is to tropic as frigid is to __________.

Possible Answers:

algid

arctic

cold

oceanic

eskimo

Correct answer:

arctic

Explanation:

Torrid describes the weather in the tropics, and frigid describes the weather in the arctic. 

Example Question #705 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Glutton is to restraint as braggart is to __________.

Possible Answers:

remorse 

wisdom 

fear 

modesty 

jubilance 

Correct answer:

modesty 

Explanation:

A glutton is someone who is greedy and selfish; restraint means ability to control oneself and prevent oneself from over-indulgence. A glutton is someone who would not show restraint so to solve this analogy you must identify what kind of behavior a braggart would be unlikely to demonstrate. A braggart is someone who boasts and is arrogant (think “brag”) so you can determine that a braggart would not demonstrate “modesty.”

Example Question #706 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Metallic is to metal as ceramic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

plastic

bowl

clay

brick

wool

Correct answer:

clay

Explanation:

“Metallic” is an adjective that means “of, relating to, or resembling metal or metals.” So, something that is metallic can be made of metal, meaning that we need to pick out an answer choice that describes the material that something that is “ceramic” consists of. While all of the answer choices except for “bowl” refer to materials, “ceramic” specifically means “made of clay and hardened by heat,” so “clay” is the correct answer.

Example Question #707 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Wolf is to feral as dog is to __________.

Possible Answers:

wild

domesticated 

natural

untamed 

uncultivated 

Correct answer:

domesticated 

Explanation:

"Feral" means wild and untamed and is a quality generally associated with a wolf so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is generally associated with a dog. A dog is generally “domesticated” which means accustomed to living with or near people. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all loosely synonyms of feral.

Example Question #708 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete the analogy.

Heroine is to noble as strategy is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

None of these answers.

deliberate

imprudent

purposefully

procedure

Correct answer:

deliberate

Explanation:

A "heroine" is a female who is considered brave, which is observed by the adjective "noble." "Noble" is describing a feature of a "heroine." Therefore, the answer is a description of, or feature of, a strategy. 

The correct answer is "deliberate," which means done with careful consideration. A "strategy" is created from careful planning.

"Procedure" (noun) is incorrect because it is not an adjective, and it is synonymous with strategy. It is a set of steps to meet a goal.

"Imprudent" (adj) means not wise or sensible. Prefix "im" = not, root "prud" = wise. It is the antonym of a strategy.

"Purposefully" (adverb) means done on purpose. Root "pur" = forth, "pose" put/place. While it does fit the analogy, it is an adverb and cannot describe a noun (strategy). 

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