Qualities and Features

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Qualities and Features

Questions 1 - 10
1

Complete this analogy.

Leaves are to floral as __________.

fur is to mammalian

aquatic is to fish

wooden is to table

fur is to bear

scales are to ursine

Explanation

Leaves form a constituent part of many floral things, so we need to find another pair of words in which the first word is a constituent part of many things in the category the second word represents. While "aquatic is to fish" may seem like the correct answer, but since "aquatic" is an adjective that describes many fish, it does not represent a constituent part of fish, so it can't be correct. Also, while "scales are to ursine" appears to be in the correct answer format, "ursine" means having to do with bears or bear-like, and since bears do not have scales, "scales are to ursine" can't be the correct answer either. In "fur is to mammalian," however, fur is a constituent part of (many) animals which are mammalian, just as leaves are a constituent part of many plants which are floral. So, the correct answer is "fur is to mammalian."

2

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Skyscraper is to tall as elephant is to ___________.

large

small

tusk

ivory

Africa

Explanation

The relationship between "skyscraper" and "tall" is that "tall" is a common characteristic of skyscrapers. The best choice is "large," as an elephant's size is a characteristic that is commonly associated with these animals. "Small" does not apply, as elephants are not typically thought of as small creatures. A "tusk" is a part of an elephant and "ivory" is the name of the material that the tusk is made out of. "Africa" is where many elephants live. The most appropriate chioce is "large."

3

Complete this analogy.

Indigo is to blue as __________ is to red.

crimson

vermilion

obsidian

color

hue

Explanation

"Indigo" is a color that is somewhat "blue" and somewhat purple. So, to solve this analogy you merely need to determine which of these is a similar color to "red." The correct answer is "crimson." Additionally, "vermilion" is yellow; "obsidian" is black; "hue" refers to the shade of something.

4

Complete this analogy.

Feeler is to __________ as hand is to human.

insect

dog

whale

crab

octopus

Explanation

A "hand" is what a "human" uses to feel and touch things, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these uses a "feeler" to feel and touch things. The correct answer is an "insect."

5

Complete this analogy.

Bat is to nocturnal as outcast is to __________.

rejected

welcomed

fortunate

juvenile

lithe

Explanation

"Nocturnal" means awake at night, asleep during the day. A quality associated with "bats" is that they are "nocturnal." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of an "outcast." Well, an "outcast" is someone who has been shunned by society, someone who is treated as an outside and not welcomed by a society. So, the correct answer is "rejected." Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "juvenile" means immature; "lithe" means graceful, nimble, capable of making quick and flexible movements.

6

Complete this analogy.

Hymn is to __________ as anthem is to patriotic.

religious

lenient

meek

robust

elusive

Explanation

An "anthem" is a song associated with a group of people that is collectively sung. A quality of an "anthem" is that it is "patriotic." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "hymn." Well, a "hymn" is a song sung as part of a religious service. So, the correct answer is "religious." Additionally, "elusive" means hard to catch, hard to find; "robust" means strong and healthy; "lenient" means not strict, tolerant; "meek" means shy, not assertive, lacking confidence.

7

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to whale as agile is to monkey.

Colossal

Mediocre

Juvenile

Illustrious

Deranged

Explanation

It is a quality of a "monkey" to be "agile" (able to move quickly and with good balance). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "whale." Well, "whales" are famously big, so the correct answer is "colossal," which means huge. Additionally, "illustrious" means famous, storied, well-known; "deranged" means insane, crazy, mentally ill; "mediocre" means average in a bad way; "juvenile" means immature, childish.

8

Complete this analogy.

Wood is to flammable as locust is to __________.

destructive

jubilant

gigantic

obsolete

pliant

Explanation

"Flammable" means able to be lit on fire, likely to catch fire. A quality of "wood" is that it is "flammable." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "locust." The correct answer is that "locusts" are "destructive." A "locust" is a small-winged insect that moves in large swarms and has been known to completely destroy crops and livestock leading to loss of human and animal life. Additionally, "jubilant" means very happy; "obsolete" means out-dated, no longer useful; "gigantic" means very large; "pliant" means flexible, capable of being easily bent into a different shape.

9

Complete this analogy.

Vinegar is to acidic as soda is to __________.

carbonated

handmade

gallant

intrepid

rambunctious

Explanation

A quality generally associated with "vinegar" is that it is "acidic," meaning that it has a sharp, acid-like taste, more technically it means it has a pH lower than seven. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality generally associated with "soda." The correct answer is that it is "carbonated" or fizzy. Additionally, "rambunctious" means hard to control and badly behaved; "intrepid" means adventurous; "gallant" means brave, chivalrous, noble; "handmade" means not made by a machine, made by human-hand.

10

Jungle is to humid as desert is to __________.

arid

oasis

sandy

hot

barren

Explanation

“Humid” is an adjective that means having a lot of moisture in the air. We’re looking for an adjective that describes “desert” in terms of moisture, the way that “humid” describes “jungle.” While “sandy,” “hot,” and “barren” are all characteristics of the desert, none of these words are related to moisture. “Oasis” is a noun that means an area of the desert where water is found. Although it's related to moisture, “oasis” is a noun and we’re looking for an adjective. “Arid” is an adjective that means having little rain or water

Of the answer choices, “arid” is the best choice.

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