All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #539 : Analogies
Hedonist is to pleasure as anarchist is to __________.
government
terrorist
freedom
rebellion
rule
freedom
A hedonist believes that pleasure is the most important thing in life. An anarchist is a person who seeks anarchy, or a lack of government control, but since that word is not among the choices, the closest analogy for what an anarchist thinks is most important is freedom (a lack of rules or control).
Example Question #1 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Match is to spectators as theatre is to _________.
actors
audience
directors
group
members
audience
"Spectators" observe a "match," so to solve this analogy you have to determine which answer choice represents a group of people to observe "theatre." This should lead you to the correct answer, “audience.”
Example Question #2 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Anarchist is to government as abolitionist is to __________.
slavery
intuition
judicial system
religion
diabolical
slavery
An anarchist is someone who believes that government should be abolished. So to solve this analogy you have to determine what it is that an abolitionist would specifically like to abolish. For clarification abolished means got rid of. You might remember from history class but if not an abolitionist is someone who wishes to get rid of slavery. For extra clarification, "diabolical" means very evil; "intuition" means instinct or natural feeling about something.
Example Question #41 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, And Subject/Object
Manicure is to hand as __________.
polish is to nails
pedicure is to foot
trim is to neat
manifold is to many
panacea is to heal
pedicure is to foot
A manicure is the act of trimming the nails on your hand, and a pedicure is the act of trimming the nails on your foot.
Example Question #42 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, And Subject/Object
Complete this analogy.
Bandage is to scrape as suture is to __________.
cut
burn
sprain
headache
bruise
cut
Since one treats a scrape by bandaging it, we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what kind of injury is treated by suturing it. Since "suture" as a noun means stitch(es) used to close a wound, and as a verb means to stitch up a wound, "cut" is the correct answer, because just as bandages are used to treat scrapes, sutures are used to treat cuts.
Example Question #43 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, And Subject/Object
Complete this analogy.
Carnivore is to meat as herbivore is to __________.
plants
water
omnivore
rocks
herbs
plants
Since a "carnivore" is an organism that consumes meat, we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what herbivores consume. While "herbs" might seem like the correct answer, "plants" is actually the better choice because it is a broader category and herbivores may eat plants other than herbs. So, "plants" is the correct answer.
Example Question #44 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, And Subject/Object
Complete this analogy.
Analyze is to information as __________.
fury is to anger
streamline is to system
mess is to organize
dog is to fetch
petition is to signature
streamline is to system
“Analyze” is a verb that means examine methodically. Because one can analyze information, we need to pick out an answer choice that consists of a verb and a noun to which one logically does the verb’s action. While “streamline is to system” and “mess is to organize” might each look like a potentially correct answer, one does not “mess” an “organize,” so “mess is to organize” cannot be the correct answer; however, “streamline” means increase the efficiency of, so because one might logically streamline a system just like one might logically analyze information, “streamline is to system” is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Companionship is to rift as society is to __________.
unified
schism
rebellious
unhinged
outspoken
schism
A "rift" is something that occurs to break up a "companionship," so you are looking for something that occurs to break up a society. This should lead you to the answer choice “schism,” which means a division in religious or social orthodoxy/order. For clarification, "unhinged" means not stable; "unified" means together; "outspoken" means not afraid to express beliefs or ideas.
Example Question #3 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Brick is to mortar as __________.
board is to screw
bricklayer is to mason
stone is to cement
wood is to nail
Paper is to glue
Paper is to glue
Mortar is the sticky mixture that is used to individual bricks together. The equivalent substance for paper is glue. You can hold boards together with screws, but screws aren't sticky and gooey like mortar and glue.
Example Question #45 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, And Subject/Object
Complete this analogy.
Game is to athletes as play is to __________.
producer
students
audience
participant
actors
actors
A "game" is something that is participated in by athletes, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of the answer choices represents a group that participate in a play. This should lead you to the correct answer, “actors.”