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Function & Purpose
Analogies

Master the art of recognizing what things do and why they exist to unlock one of the most common analogy types on the SSAT.

SSAT Upper Level: Verbal

What Is an Analogy?

An analogy is a comparison between two pairs of words that share a similar relationship. On the SSAT, you will see a pair of words and must find another pair whose relationship matches it.

The key to solving analogies is to name the relationship before looking at the answer choices. This prevents you from being tricked by superficial connections.

The Function/Purpose Relationship

A function/purpose analogy connects an object to what it does or why it exists. One word names a thing; the other names its primary job, role, or reason for being.

Object → Action
KNIFE is to CUT: a knife's function is to cut.
Object → Purpose
SHELTER is to PROTECT: a shelter's purpose is to protect.

Why This Matters on the SSAT

Function and purpose analogies are among the most frequently tested analogy types on the SSAT Upper Level Verbal section. Recognizing them quickly gives you a significant advantage.

High Frequency
Appears in nearly every SSAT verbal section, often multiple times.
Builds Vocabulary
Forces you to think precisely about word meanings and nuances.
Transferable Skill
Strengthens logical reasoning used across all analogy types.

The Core Rule

OBJECT FUNCTION is used to = OBJECT FUNCTION is used to BROOM : SWEEP PEN : WRITE Same relationship, different words

Two Sub-Types to Know

FUNCTION / PURPOSE ANALOGIES Tool → Action HAMMER : POUND TELESCOPE : MAGNIFY SCISSORS : CUT "A is used to B" Thing → Purpose HOSPITAL : HEAL LIBRARY : LEARN ALARM : WARN "The purpose of A is B" Both follow the same logical pattern: what does A do?

Function vs. Characteristic

The trickiest part of function analogies is distinguishing them from characteristic analogies. A function is what something does; a characteristic is what something is.

Function/Purpose Characteristic
Question What does A do? What is A like?
Example OVEN : BAKE OVEN : HOT
Sentence "An oven is used to bake" "An oven is hot"
Second word Verb (action) Adjective (quality)
Test phrase "A is used to B" "A is always B"

The 4-Step Method

1
Read the stem pair. Identify the two words given to you.
2
Build a sentence. Try: "A is used to B" or "The purpose of A is to B." If it works, you have a function analogy.
3
Check direction. Note which word is the object and which is the function. Keep this order.
4
Test each choice. Plug each answer pair into your sentence. The one that fits with the same relationship and direction wins.

Worked Example: Level 1

BROOM : SWEEP :: SHOVEL : ? (A) dirt (B) dig (C) heavy (D) garden ✓ Answer: (B) dig

Worked Example: Level 2

ANESTHETIC : NUMB :: ANTISEPTIC : ? (A) bandage (B) sterilize (C) hospital (D) painful ✓ Answer: (B) sterilize

Worked Example: Level 3

CATALYST : EXPEDITE :: DETERRENT : ? (A) encourage (B) discourage (C) punishment (D) danger ✓ Answer: (B) discourage

Recognizing the Pattern

Here are more function/purpose pairs. Notice how each follows the same "A is used to B" structure, even when vocabulary gets harder.

1
COMPASS : NAVIGATE: a compass is used to navigate.
2
FILTER : PURIFY: a filter is used to purify.
3
RUDDER : STEER: a rudder is used to steer.
4
MONUMENT : COMMEMORATE: a monument is used to commemorate.
5
VACCINE : IMMUNIZE: a vaccine is used to immunize.

Spotting Tricky Distractors

SSAT distractors are designed to tempt you. They often feature words that are related to the stem but represent a different relationship type. Learn to spot these traps.

Object Trap
SHOVEL : DIRT. Dirt is what a shovel acts on, not what it does.
Location Trap
SHOVEL : GARDEN. Garden is where you use a shovel, not its function.
Characteristic Trap
SHOVEL : HEAVY. Heavy describes what a shovel is, not what it does.

Common Mistakes

✕ Reversing the Direction
If the stem is Object → Function, your answer must also be Object → Function. Picking Function → Object is wrong even if the words are correct.
✕ Choosing a Related Word
A word that is topically related (like GARDEN for SHOVEL) is not the same as a word that describes the function. Stay focused on verbs.
✕ Confusing Secondary Functions
Many objects have multiple uses, but analogies test the primary function. A knife cuts (primary); it does not spread butter (secondary).

Summary Cheat Sheet

Step Action Key Question
1 Read the stem pair What are the two words?
2 Build a sentence "A is used to B"?
3 Check direction Object → Function?
4 Test each choice Same sentence pattern?

Question 1 of 5

THERMOMETER : MEASURE :: MICROSCOPE : ?

Question 2 of 5

SIREN : ALERT :: BEACON : ?

Question 3 of 5

LUBRICANT : REDUCE :: ADHESIVE : ?

Question 4 of 5

ANALGESIC : RELIEVE :: SEDATIVE : ?

Question 5 of 5

REFERENDUM : DECIDE :: EMBARGO : ?