All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Subject And Object
Hedonist is to pleasure as anarchist is to __________.
terrorist
government
rebellion
freedom
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 #2 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Match is to spectators as theatre is to _________.
group
members
actors
audience
directors
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 #3 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Anarchist is to government as abolitionist is to __________.
religion
diabolical
slavery
judicial system
intuition
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 #4 : Subject And Object
Manicure is to hand as __________.
polish is to nails
panacea is to heal
pedicure is to foot
manifold is to many
trim is to neat
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 #1 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Bandage is to scrape as suture is to __________.
sprain
bruise
headache
cut
burn
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 #1 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Carnivore is to meat as herbivore is to __________.
plants
herbs
water
rocks
omnivore
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 #1 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Analyze is to information as __________.
petition is to signature
fury is to anger
dog is to fetch
streamline is to system
mess is to organize
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 #8 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Companionship is to rift as society is to __________.
schism
unified
rebellious
outspoken
unhinged
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 #2 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Brick is to mortar as __________.
wood is to nail
bricklayer is to mason
board is to screw
Paper is to glue
stone is to cement
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 #10 : Subject And Object
Complete this analogy.
Game is to athletes as play is to __________.
audience
students
participant
actors
producer
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.”
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