SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Tool and Use
Complete this analogy.
Crank is to turning as __________ is to mooring.
anchor
harbor
hearth
tirade
scowl
A "crank" is a device used to facilitate the "turning" of something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a device used for "mooring." Well, you first need to know that "mooring" means to fix a boat in place in a harbor so that it cannot be moved by the water. The correct answer is therefore "anchor." Additionally, a "harbor" is where boats are docked; a "tirade" is a long and impassioned verbal attack against someone or something; a "hearth" is a fireplace or a home; a "scowl" is an angry frown.
Complete this analogy.
Forge is to __________ as cure is to medicine.
hammer
ladder
knife
grill
faucet
To begin with "cure" means heal, make no longer sick. "Medicine" is something you use to "cure." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an object that you use to "forge" something. Well, "forge" means to make or shape a metal object, like a sword. So, the correct answer is that you use a "hammer."
Complete this analogy.
Flare is to __________ as lens is to magnify.
alert
uproot
tie
lose
plan
A "lens" is an optic device used to make something easier to see by either making it clearer or larger. A purpose of a "lens" is therefore to "magnify" (make larger). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is the purpose of a "flare." Well, a "flare" is a device used to fire a light into the sky as a signal. It is therefore used to "alert." Additionally, "uproot" means move from one place to another, usually forcefully.
Complete this analogy.
Preserve is to jar as mend is to __________.
glue
knife
furnace
window
door
To begin with "preserve" means save, keep intact for later use. So, one might use a "jar" to "preserve" something. What might one need to use in order to "mend" something? Well, "mend" means fix, repair, so the best possible answer is "glue."
Complete this analogy.
Hammock is to resting as __________ is to enlarging.
microscope
microwave
periscope
barometer
thermometer
The purpose of a "hammock" is for "resting." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is used for "enlarging" something. "Enlarging" means to make larger. The correct answer is that a "microscope" is used to "enlarge" something to make it easier to see. Additionally, a "periscope" is used by a submarine to see above the water; a "barometer" is used to measure pressure and a "thermometer" is used to measure temperature.
Complete this analogy.
Hypnosis is to sleep as ointment is to __________.
heal
work
smile
sing
hear
"Hypnosis" is a technique used to put someone to "sleep." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action that is helped by "ointment." "Ointment" is cream applied to a wound in order to help with "healing." So, the correct answer is "heal."
Complete this analogy.
Abacus is to __________ as beacon is to signal.
count
draw
warn
hear
cook
A "beacon" is something, like a lighthouse, used to pass a message or warning. A "beacon" is used to "signal." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you might use an "abacus" for. An "abacus" is an outdated instrument used for counting. The correct answer is therefore "count."
Complete the analogy:
Toothbrush is to mouth as __________.
comb is to hair
feather is to bird
pen is to writer
wire is to chain-link fence
as bat is to baseball
We use "toothbrushes" in our "mouths." We use "combs" in our "hair." The relationship is tool to body part. None of the other analogies have this relationship.
Bats are used in baseball, but humans do not have baseballs as parts of their body. Chain-link fence is composed of wire, but neither word is related to a body part. Writers use pens but writers are not a body part. Feather is a body part of a bird, but bird is not a part of the human body.
Complete this analogy.
Antiseptic is to infection as antiperspirant is to __________.
sweat
pain
emotion
laziness
headaches
An "antiseptic" is something used to prevent "infection." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "antiperspirant" is used for. The correct answer is that it is used to prevent "sweating."
Complete this analogy.
Lantern is to __________ as padlock is to secure.
illuminate
electricity
begrime
devastate
masticate
The purpose of a "padlock" is to keep something safe, to lock something away, to "secure" something. So, to solve this analogy you merely need to determine what the purpose of a "lantern" is. Well, a "lantern" is a light, a torch. So, the correct answer is to "illuminate," which means to light up, to shed light upon. Additionally, "masticate" means chew; "begrime" means blacken, make dirty; "devastate" means completely destroy, ruin.