Analogies

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SSAT Upper Level: Verbal › Analogies

Questions 1 - 10
1

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

QUIXOTICALLY

Idealistically

Creatively

Zealously

Fractiously

Villainously

Explanation

"Quixotic" means hopelessly, romantically idealistic. "Villainous" is a synonym for "wicked," and "fractious" means grumpy, irritable, or unruly. "Zealous" means passionately enthusiastic. Another word for "creative" is imaginative.

2

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MISANTHROPICALLY

Antisocially

Inexorably

Ingeniously

Vituperatively

Apocryphally

Explanation

"Misanthropic" means unfriendly and "antisocial." "Apocryphal" means false or fictitious. "Vituperative" is another word for bitter, and "ingenious" is another word for clever, crafty, or innovative. "Inexorable" means unstoppable or unyielding.

3

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

UNSAVORILY

Disreputably

Rambunctiously

Petulantly

Determinedly

Subliminally

Explanation

"Unsavory" means disagreeable, disreputable. It often describes a person, area, or situation. "Rambunctious" is another word for boisterous, and "subliminal" is another word for subconscious. "Determined" is a synonym for "dogged" or "resolute." "Petulant" is a synonym for "peevish" or irritable.

4

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ACUTE.

Sharp

Inane

Worthy

Possible

Dignified

Explanation

"Acute" means sharp, or focused. For clarification, inane means absurd or pointless; dignified means composed or noble.

5

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DECREE

Command

Pennant

Harbinger

Opulence

Imperial

Explanation

"Decree" can function either as a noun or an verb. As a noun, a "decree" is a law or rule made by an authority; as an verb, it means to create such a law or rule and put it into effect. While "imperial" may seem like a good answer choice because someone who is imperial may issue decrees, "imperial" is not a synonym of "decree," so we should skip it. Of the listed answer choices, "command" is the closest synonym; it can similarly act as a noun or verb and means either an order issued by an authority or to issue such an order.

6

Complete this analogy.

Nautical is to sailors as astral is to                           .

stars

waves

food

books

organs

Explanation

"Nautical" means of or related to the sea or "sailors." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is related to the term "astral." Well, as you may have guessed by the prefix astr-, "astral" means of or related to the "stars."

7

Complete this analogy.

Below is to grave as above is to                     .

mausoleum

innuendo

adage

crucible

platitude

Explanation

A "grave" is a place to bury the dead "below" ground, so the correct answer to this analogy is a "mausoleum" because this is a place to bury the dead "above" ground. Additionally, a "platitude" is a fawning and unoriginal comment; a "crucible" is a trial; an "adage" is an old saying meant to impart some lesson; "innuendo" is a suggestive and rude remark.

8

Complete this analogy.                       is to cat as cunning is to fox.

Curiosity

Honesty

Loyalty

Veneration

Determination

Explanation

Being "cunning" is a characteristic commonly attributed to "foxes" in contemporary society. Which of these is a characteristic commonly attributed to "cats?" The correct answer is "curiosity." Additionally, "veneration" means deep respect for, worship.

9

Complete this analogy.

Battalion is to army as                      is to company.

branch

general

employee

committee

private

Explanation

A "battalion" is a group of soldiers within a larger army, something like a "regiment" or a "corps." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a group of individuals who are collectively a part of a "company." The correct answer is a "branch" which means a regional department of a large company.

10

Complete this analogy.

Epilogue is to book as                               .

coda is to song

chapter is to division

ritual is to dance

typewriter is to novel

soap is to dishwasher

Explanation

An "epilogue" is a part of a book that appears at the end. The correct answer will demonstrate a relationship of part and whole. A "coda" is a musical segment that appears at the end of a song.

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