Function and Purpose Analogies - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

  1. Microscope is to bacteria as:
    Answer: telescope is to planets A microscope's function is to magnify very small objects like bacteria to make them visible. Similarly, a telescope's function is to magnify very distant objects like planets to make them clearly visible. This shows a magnification-instrument-to-target-object relationship. Choice B shows an instrument-to-user relationship. Choice C shows an instrument-to-location relationship. Choice D shows an instrument-to-user relationship.
  2. Lens is to camera as:
    Answer: string is to violin A lens is the essential component that enables a camera to focus light and create images. Similarly, strings are the essential components that enable a violin to produce sound when played. This shows a functional-component-to-device relationship. Choice A shows an object-to-result relationship. Choice B shows a component-to-structure relationship without the functional aspect. Choice D shows a consumable-to-device relationship.
  3. Antenna is to radio as:
    Answer: satellite is to television An antenna's function is to receive broadcast signals for a radio. Similarly, a satellite's function is to receive and transmit broadcast signals for television. This shows a signal-reception-device-to-receiver relationship. Choice A shows an output-device-to-processor relationship. Choice C shows an input-device-to-storage relationship. Choice D shows a transmission-medium-to-network relationship.
  4. Funnel is to liquid as:
    Answer: chute is to grain A funnel's function is to direct and channel liquid from a wide opening to a narrow one. Similarly, a chute's function is to direct and channel grain or other materials from a wide area to a narrow opening. This shows a directing-tool-to-substance relationship. Choice A shows a containing-tool-to-substance relationship. Choice C shows a conveyance-tool-to-location relationship. Choice D shows a delivery-tool-to-location relationship.
  5. Needle is to sewing as:
    Answer: chisel is to carving A needle's function is to pierce and guide thread through fabric for sewing. Similarly, a chisel's function is to cut and shape material for carving. This shows a precision-tool-to-craft-activity relationship. Choice A shows a material-to-base relationship. Choice C shows a cutting-tool-to-general-action (not craft-specific). Choice D shows a protective-tool-to-function relationship.
  6. Thermometer is to temperature as:
    Answer: scale is to weight A thermometer's function is to measure temperature. Similarly, a scale's function is to measure weight. This is an instrument-to-measurement relationship. Choice A relates time to a behavioral concept. Choice C shows a tool-to-activity relationship. Choice D shows a tool-to-general-activity relationship rather than specific measurement.
  7. Parachute is to descent as:
    Answer: airbag is to collision A parachute's function is to slow down and control descent by creating air resistance. Similarly, an airbag's function is to slow down and cushion impact during a collision by creating a buffer. This shows a safety-device-to-dangerous-motion relationship. Choice B shows a propulsion-device-to-general-activity relationship. Choice C shows a lift-component-to-vehicle relationship. Choice D shows a propulsion-component-to-vehicle relationship.
  8. Eraser is to mistake as:
    Answer: correction fluid is to error An eraser's function is to remove or correct mistakes made with pencil. Similarly, correction fluid's function is to remove or correct errors made with pen or typewriter. This shows a correction-tool-to-error relationship. Choice A shows a treatment-tool-to-injury relationship (different domain). Choice B shows a creation-tool-to-medium relationship. Choice D shows a function-key-to-device relationship.
  9. Insulation is to heat as:
    Answer: soundproofing is to noise Insulation's function is to prevent the transfer of heat between spaces. Similarly, soundproofing's function is to prevent the transfer of noise between spaces. This shows a barrier-material-to-prevented-energy-transfer relationship. Choice B shows a cushioning-material-to-enhanced-condition relationship. Choice C shows a protective-material-to-general-benefit relationship. Choice D shows a finishing-material-to-location relationship.
  10. Brake is to motion as:
    Answer: mute is to sound A brake's function is to stop or reduce motion. Similarly, a mute button's function is to stop or eliminate sound. This shows a stopping-mechanism-to-phenomenon relationship. Choice B shows an increasing-mechanism-to-phenomenon relationship (opposite function). Choice C shows a control-mechanism-to-system relationship. Choice D shows an enhancement-tool-to-condition relationship.
  11. Anchor is to stability as:
    Answer: ballast is to balance An anchor's function is to provide stability by preventing a ship from drifting. Similarly, ballast's function is to provide balance by adding weight to stabilize a vessel or structure. This shows a stabilizing-device-to-stability-type relationship. Choice A shows a structural-element-to-structure relationship. Choice B shows an equipment-to-activity relationship. Choice D shows a component-to-activity relationship.
  12. Lever is to lifting as:
    Answer: pulley is to raising A lever's function is to provide mechanical advantage for lifting heavy objects with less effort. Similarly, a pulley's function is to provide mechanical advantage for raising heavy objects with less effort. This shows a simple-machine-to-force-application relationship. Choice B shows a component-to-system relationship. Choice C shows a component-to-general-field relationship. Choice D shows a component-to-general-system relationship.
  13. Tourniquet is to bleeding as:
    Answer: splint is to fracture A tourniquet's function is to stop bleeding by applying pressure to restrict blood flow. Similarly, a splint's function is to stabilize a fracture by restricting movement and providing support. This shows an emergency-treatment-device-to-medical-condition relationship. Choice B shows a diagnostic-tool-to-vital-sign relationship. Choice C shows a delivery-tool-to-procedure relationship. Choice D shows a measuring-tool-to-symptom relationship.
  14. Valve is to flow as:
    Answer: switch is to current A valve's function is to control the flow of liquids or gases through a system. Similarly, a switch's function is to control the flow of electrical current through a circuit. This shows a control-device-to-controlled-flow relationship. Choice B shows a barrier-to-waterway relationship (permanent blocking rather than control). Choice C shows a barrier-to-access-point relationship. Choice D shows a fixture-to-location relationship.
  15. Catalyst is to reaction as:
    Answer: enzyme is to digestion A catalyst's function is to speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. Similarly, an enzyme's function is to speed up biological processes like digestion without being consumed. This shows an accelerating-agent-to-process relationship. Choice B shows a component-to-procedure relationship. Choice C shows a consumable-to-process relationship. Choice D shows a substance-to-location relationship.
  16. Filter is to water as:
    Answer: sieve is to flour A filter's function is to remove impurities and unwanted particles from water. Similarly, a sieve's function is to remove lumps and impurities from flour. This shows a purification-tool-to-substance relationship. Choice B shows a directing-tool-to-substance relationship. Choice C shows a separation-tool-to-food relationship. Choice D shows a container-to-substance relationship without purification.
  17. Alarm is to danger as:
    Answer: siren is to emergency An alarm's function is to provide warning or notification of danger. Similarly, a siren's function is to provide warning or notification of an emergency. This shows a warning-device-to-threatening-situation relationship. Choice B shows a signal-device-to-institution relationship. Choice C shows a signal-device-to-person relationship. Choice D shows a signal-device-to-vehicle relationship.
  18. Hammer is to nail as:
    Answer: screwdriver is to screw A hammer's function is to drive nails into surfaces. Similarly, a screwdriver's function is to turn screws into place. This is a tool-to-object-acted-upon relationship. Choice B shows a tool-to-container relationship. Choice C shows a tool-to-user relationship. Choice D shows a tool-to-location relationship.
  19. Key is to lock as:
    Answer: password is to computer A key's function is to provide access by unlocking a secured lock. Similarly, a password's function is to provide access by unlocking a secured computer system. This shows an access-tool-to-security-barrier relationship. Choice B shows a barrier-to-space relationship. Choice C shows an operating-mechanism-to-furniture relationship. Choice D shows an activation-tool-to-device relationship.
  20. Bellows is to fire as:
    Answer: pump is to tire Bellows' function is to intensify fire by forcing air into it to enhance combustion. Similarly, a pump's function is to inflate a tire by forcing air into it to increase pressure and functionality. This shows a device-that-forces-air-to-enhance relationship. Choice A shows a circulation-device-to-medium relationship. Choice C shows a moving-device-to-objects relationship. Choice D shows an assistance-device-to-biological-process relationship.

Start this quiz