Tool and Use

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Tool and Use

Questions 1 - 10
1

Complete this analogy.

Crank is to turning as __________ is to mooring.

anchor

harbor

hearth

tirade

scowl

Explanation

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.

2

Complete this analogy.

Forge is to __________ as cure is to medicine.

hammer

ladder

knife

grill

faucet

Explanation

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."

3

Complete this analogy.

Flare is to __________ as lens is to magnify.

alert

uproot

tie

lose

plan

Explanation

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.

4

Complete this analogy.

Preserve is to jar as mend is to __________.

glue

knife

furnace

window

door

Explanation

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."

5

Complete this analogy.

Hammock is to resting as __________ is to enlarging.

microscope

microwave

periscope

barometer

thermometer

Explanation

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.

6

Complete this analogy.

Hypnosis is to sleep as ointment is to __________.

heal

work

smile

sing

hear

Explanation

"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."

7

Complete this analogy.

Abacus is to __________ as beacon is to signal.

count

draw

warn

hear

cook

Explanation

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."

8

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

Explanation

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.

9

Complete this analogy.

Antiseptic is to infection as antiperspirant is to __________.

sweat

pain

emotion

laziness

headaches

Explanation

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."

10

Complete this analogy.

Lantern is to __________ as padlock is to secure.

illuminate

electricity

begrime

devastate

masticate

Explanation

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.

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