Container and Contents Analogies - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

  1. Carton is to milk as holster is to
    Answer: pistol A carton contains milk, just as a holster contains a pistol. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Leather material (A) describes what holsters are made of, law enforcement (B) describes typical users, and belt attachment (D) describes how holsters are worn.
  2. Library is to books as garage is to
    Answer: cars A library is a container that holds books, just as a garage is a container that holds cars. The relationship is container to contents. Reading (B) is an activity, shelves (C) are parts of a library, and parking (D) is an action, not contents.
  3. Hamper is to dirty clothes as display case is to
    Answer: artifacts A hamper holds dirty clothes, just as a display case holds artifacts (or other displayed items). This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Glass protection (A) describes the case's function, museum settings (B) describe typical locations, and viewing purposes (D) describe the intended use.
  4. Mailbox is to letters as honeycomb is to
    Answer: honey A mailbox holds letters, just as a honeycomb holds honey. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Hexagons (A) describe the structure's shape, colonies (C) are the builders, and wax (D) describes what honeycombs are made of.
  5. Backpack is to textbooks as spice rack is to
    Answer: oregano A backpack carries textbooks, just as a spice rack holds oregano (and other spices). This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Organization (A) describes the purpose, cooking (B) describes related activities, and shelves (D) are structural components.
  6. Bin is to recycling as nest is to
    Answer: bird eggs A bin holds recycling materials, just as a nest holds bird eggs. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Tree branches (A) are where nests are built, spring season (C) is when nests are used, and natural materials (D) describe nest construction.
  7. Pitcher is to water as piggy bank is to
    Answer: coins A pitcher contains water, just as a piggy bank contains coins. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Savings (A) describes the purpose, ceramic (B) describes construction material, and shape (D) describes the typical appearance.
  8. Jar is to cookies as toolbox is to
    Answer: hammers A jar holds cookies, just as a toolbox holds hammers (and other tools). This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Metal parts (A) describes components of toolboxes, heavy weight (B) is a physical property, and repair work (D) is an activity.
  9. Refrigerator is to food as closet is to
    Answer: clothes A refrigerator stores and contains food, just as a closet stores and contains clothes. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Hanging (A) is a method of storage, organizing (B) is an activity, and wooden doors (D) are parts of closets.
  10. Envelope is to letter as bottle is to
    Answer: water An envelope contains a letter, just as a bottle contains water. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Glass material (A) describes what bottles are made of, drinking (C) is an action, and round shape (D) describes bottle appearance.
  11. Sandbox is to sand as swimming pool is to
    Answer: water A sandbox contains sand, just as a swimming pool contains water. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Summer recreation (A) describes typical use, chlorine treatment (B) describes water maintenance, and concrete construction (D) describes building material.
  12. Bookshelf is to novels as medicine cabinet is to
    Answer: pills A bookshelf holds novels, just as a medicine cabinet holds pills (and other medications). This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Bathroom location (A) describes where cabinets are placed, mirror surface (C) is a component feature, and health concerns (D) are reasons for use.
  13. Pencil case is to erasers as jewelry box is to
    Answer: rings A pencil case contains erasers (among other school supplies), just as a jewelry box contains rings (among other jewelry). This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Valuables (A) describes general contents, velvet (B) is interior material, and gifts (D) is an associated purpose.
  14. Coffin is to remains as terrarium is to
    Answer: plants A coffin contains remains, just as a terrarium contains plants. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Glass containers (A) describe construction material, viewing purposes (C) describe the intended use, and miniature environments (D) describe what terrariums create rather than what they contain.
  15. Aquarium is to fish as birdcage is to
    Answer: canaries An aquarium is designed to contain fish, just as a birdcage is designed to contain canaries (or birds in general). This shows the container-contents relationship. Feathers (A) are parts of birds, singing (C) is what birds do, and metal bars (D) are components of cages.
  16. Theater is to audience as stadium is to
    Answer: spectators A theater contains an audience, just as a stadium contains spectators. Both show the container-to-contents relationship. Sports events (A) are activities that occur there, large size (C) is a physical characteristic, and ticket sales (D) are business transactions.
  17. Basket is to fruit as locker is to
    Answer: belongings A basket holds fruit, just as a locker holds belongings. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Locks (A) are security mechanisms, hallways (C) are locations where lockers are found, and doors (D) are structural components.
  18. Safe is to valuables as greenhouse is to
    Answer: plants A safe protects and contains valuables, just as a greenhouse protects and contains plants. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Glass panels (A) are structural components, temperature control (B) is a function, and gardening activities (D) are related actions.
  19. Drawer is to silverware as barn is to
    Answer: animals A drawer contains silverware, just as a barn contains animals. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Fields (B) describe where barns are located, wood (C) describes building material, and farming (D) describes related activities.
  20. Suitcase is to clothing as lunch box is to
    Answer: sandwiches A suitcase contains clothing, just as a lunch box contains sandwiches (and other food items). This shows the container-to-contents relationship. School children (A) are users of lunch boxes, plastic handles (B) are components, and mealtime schedule (D) is related timing.

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