Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

Questions 1 - 10
1

Complete this analogy.

Gratuity is to beneficial as solace is to                             .

comforting

frightening

condescending

invigorating

endangering

Explanation

A "gratuity" is a perk, some special right or advantage conveyed on someone. A "gratuity" is "beneficial" (helpful, useful), so to solve this analogy you need to determine what "solace" is. Well, "solace" is relief or consolation offered in a time of hardship or suffering. "Solace" is therefore "comforting." Additionally, "condescending" means rude and based on the premise that the speaker knows better than the person being spoken to; "invigorating" means energizing, giving vigor to.

2

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

INOPERABLE

Untreatable

Tone-deaf

Forested

Disagreeable

Selective

Explanation

Inoperable means unable to be operated on, or untreatable.

3

Complete this analogy.

Water is to ice as magma is to                     .

stone

crust

subterranean

molten

circulating

Explanation

When water cools, it becomes ice; therefore, this analogy requires that which magma becomes when it cools. Magma is the liquid stone that flows under the earth’s crust. When this cools, it becomes stone again. This is the only option that fits among those provided.

4

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

PUNISHINGLY

Taxingly

Smugly

Grimily

Explicitly

Exuberantly

Explanation

While to "punish" can mean to make someone suffer in response to a bad action, "punishing" can also mean grueling, demanding, or taxing (usually in the context of a particular situation or action). "Grimy" means dirty, "smug" means self-satisfied, and "exuberant" means joyful. "Explicit" means clear and straightforward.

5

Complete this analogy.

Prevaricator is to evasive as                              is to seraphic.

angel

mountain

demon

convict

sailor

Explanation

A "prevaricator" is someone who frequently lies and tries to talk their way around the truth. A quality of a "prevaricator" is to be "evasive" (seek to conceal the truth through avoiding talking about). So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "seraphic." Well, "seraphic" means beatific, angelic, blissful. So, the correct answer is "angel."

6

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

GLUM

Gloomy

Enthusiastic

Prudent

Professional

Sticky

Explanation

"Glum" means gloomy. None of the other answers have any relation to "glum." "Enthusiastic" means showing interest or enjoyment. "Prudent" means careful or cautious. "Professional" describes a person who is an expert in some field. "Sticky" means adhesive or humid and muggy.

7

Complete this analogy.

Coven is to                              as guild is to tradesmen.

witches

teachers

animals

scientists

hikers

Explanation

A group of "tradesmen" is called a "guild." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these, when taken as a group, is called a "coven." The correct answer is that a "coven" is a group of "witches."

8

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

DELETERIOUSLY

Perniciously

Elatedly

Ecstatically

Furtively

Surreptitiously

Explanation

"Deleterious" and "pernicious" both mean harmful. "Surreptitious" and "furtive" both mean secretive and sneaky. "Ecstatic" means very happy, elated, or euphoric.

9

Complete this analogy.

Water is to ice as magma is to                     .

stone

crust

subterranean

molten

circulating

Explanation

When water cools, it becomes ice; therefore, this analogy requires that which magma becomes when it cools. Magma is the liquid stone that flows under the earth’s crust. When this cools, it becomes stone again. This is the only option that fits among those provided.

10

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.

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