Container and Contents Analogies
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SSAT Middle Level: Verbal › Container and Contents Analogies
Aquarium is to fish as birdcage is to
singing
canaries
feathers
metal bars
Explanation
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.
Bookshelf is to novels as medicine cabinet is to
mirror surface
pills
bathroom location
health concerns
Explanation
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.
Envelope is to letter as bottle is to
drinking
water
round shape
glass material
Explanation
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.
Basket is to fruit as locker is to
locks
hallways
belongings
doors
Explanation
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.
Coffin is to remains as terrarium is to
viewing purposes
miniature environments
plants
glass containers
Explanation
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.
Library is to books as garage is to
shelves
reading
cars
parking
Explanation
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.
Pitcher is to water as piggy bank is to
shape
ceramic
coins
savings
Explanation
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.
Sandbox is to sand as swimming pool is to
summer recreation
chlorine treatment
concrete construction
water
Explanation
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.
Safe is to valuables as greenhouse is to
gardening activities
plants
temperature control
glass panels
Explanation
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.
Refrigerator is to food as closet is to
clothes
hanging
organizing
wooden doors
Explanation
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.