Container and Contents Analogies

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SSAT Middle Level: Verbal › Container and Contents Analogies

Questions 1 - 10
1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.

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