SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Actor and Action
Complete this analogy.
Sleuth is to investigate as wretch is to __________.
bemoan
inspire
allude
disorient
atrophy
A "sleuth" is another name for a "detective." So, an action likely to be undertaken by a "sleuth" is to "investigate." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action likely to be undertaken by a "wretch." Well, a "wretch" is a miserable, pitiable person who is suffering. So, the correct answer is "bemoan," which means express sorrow or frustration with. Additionally, "allude" means hint at, suggest; "disorient" means make feel lost or confused; "atrophy" means weaken over time due to lack of use.
Complete this analogy.
Freighter is to transport as oracle is to __________.
prognosticate
venerate
splice
gall
postpone
A "freighter" is a ship, or other vehicle used to move goods from one place to another. Its purpose is to "transport" things. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that an "oracle" does. Well, an "oracle" is a person or thing that predicts the future. So, the correct answer is "prognosticate" which means to make a prophecy about the future, to state what will happen later. Additionally, "postpone" means delay until later; "gall" means annoy, irritate; "venerate" means deeply respect and honor; "splice" means join together.
Complete this analogy.
Curtsy is to respect as __________ is to injury.
hobble
vex
surmise
deceive
juxtapose
A "curtsy" is the act of bending one's knee in deference. It is a sign of "respect." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action that is a sign of having an injury. The correct answer is "hobble," which means to walk in an awkward fashion such as to suggest pain. Additionally, "juxtapose" means compare two things side by side; "vex" means annoy and confuse and anger; "surmise" means determine something is true from the evidence; "deceive" means lie to in order to trick.
Complete this analogy.
Peddler is to sell as vandal is to _____________.
destroy
improve
buy
examine
create
A "peddler" is someone who travels around "selling" goods to people, often goods of dubious quality. So, if a "peddler" "sells," what does a "vandal" do? Well, a "vandal" is someone who goes around vandalizing things, someone who "destroys" or mars other people's property.
Complete this analogy.
Benefactor is to __________ as mediator is to resolve.
subsidize
contaminate
dismantle
broker
merit
A "mediator" is someone who listens to an argument between two parties and tries to help them reach a compromise. The role of a "mediator" then is to "resolve" conflict. Which of these is an action that might be done by a "benefactor." Well, a "benefactor" is someone who provides money or other types of support in order to help someone else to do something. So, something a "benefactor" might do is "subsidize," which means support financially, give some money to. Additionally, "merit" means earn, deserve; "broker" means arrange, set up; "dismantle" means take apart; "contaminate" means make impure, make toxic.
Complete this analogy.
Director is to actors as maestro is to ___________.
orchestra
team
class
faculty
family
A "maestro" is the conductor of an orchestra. Just as a director organizes and directs actors in a production, a maestro directs an orchestra. The rest of the answer options refer to groups, but not the leaders of those groups.
Complete this analogy.
Chameleon is to __________ as wolf is to hunt.
disguise
sprint
solve
fish
fly
An action generally associated with "wolves" is that they "hunt." So, which of these is an action generally associated with a "chameleon?" The correct answer is that "chameleons" are famous for being able to "disguise" or "camouflage" themselves. Additionally, "sprint" means run fast.
Complete this analogy.
Hand is to __________ as foot is to wander.
grasp
leap
trot
sprint
finger
A "foot" might be used to "wander," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is something that a hand might be used to do. The correct answer is "grasp" which means grab onto, hold onto. Additionally, "leap" means jump high; "sprint" means run fast; "trot" means (when describing a four-legged animal like a horse or a dog) to walk slightly faster.
Complete this analogy.
Detective is to __________ as medic is to heal.
interrogate
ameliorate
anchor
abolish
instigate
A "medic" is a doctor, someone who helps to "heal" people. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action undertaken by a "detective." A "detective" is someone who solves crimes. So, the correct answer is "interrogate" which means to ask questions of a suspect to determine their guilt. Additionally, "ameliorate" means soothe, make better, provide relief for; "anchor" means fix in place; "abolish" means get rid of, do away with; "instigate" means bring about, cause to happen, start a conflict.
Complete this analogy.
Mentor is to __________ as orator is to articulate.
advise
relocate
impugn
reside
delete
An "orator" is a gifted and frequent public speaker. An "orator" is likely to be able to "articulate" complicated ideas. In this instance "articulate" means express complex ideas using simple or appealing language. So, which of these is something that a "mentor" is likely to be able to do? Well, a "mentor" is someone who provides guidance and advice to someone with less experience. So, the correct answer is "advise." Additionally, "relocate" means move; "reside" means occupy, take up space, live in; "impugn" means slander, talk negatively about, attack the reputation of.