Cause-and-Effect Analogies

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SSAT Upper Level: Verbal › Cause-and-Effect Analogies

Questions 1 - 10
1

Study is to knowledge as training is to

skill

effort

exercise

coach

Explanation

Study leads to knowledge, just as training leads to skill. Both demonstrate how dedicated effort in learning produces competency. Exercise is a component of training, effort is what's required for training, and coach is who provides training rather than the outcome.

2

Dehydration is to fatigue as hydration is to

refreshment

water

fluid

energy

Explanation

Dehydration causes fatigue, while proper hydration provides energy. Both demonstrate how fluid balance directly affects physical performance in opposite ways. Water and fluid are what provide hydration, while refreshment is a feeling associated with drinking rather than the physiological boost hydration provides.

3

Overexposure is to sunburn as underexposure is to

darkness

protection

shade

deficiency

Explanation

Overexposure to sun causes sunburn, while underexposure causes deficiency (such as vitamin D deficiency). Both show how incorrect amounts of exposure lead to health problems. Shade and protection are methods of avoiding overexposure, while darkness is simply absence of light.

4

Virus is to infection as spark is to

ignition

fire

electricity

flame

Explanation

A virus causes infection, just as a spark causes fire. Both show how a small agent triggers a larger process or condition. Electricity is what creates sparks, ignition is the process itself, and flame is a component of fire rather than the complete result.

5

Interruption is to disruption as continuation is to

flow

duration

persistence

sequence

Explanation

Interruption causes disruption, while continuation maintains flow. Both demonstrate how different approaches to ongoing processes create opposite effects on smooth operation. Persistence is a quality needed for continuation, while duration and sequence are aspects of continued processes rather than the smooth state continuation creates.

6

Malnutrition is to weakness as proper nutrition is to

health

food

vitamins

strength

Explanation

Malnutrition causes weakness, while proper nutrition causes strength. Both demonstrate how diet quality directly affects physical capability in opposite ways. Health is a broader concept, vitamins are components of nutrition, and food is what provides nutrition rather than the result.

7

Innovation is to progress as stagnation is to

delay

stillness

inactivity

decline

Explanation

Innovation drives progress, while stagnation causes decline. Both demonstrate how different approaches to change affect advancement, with opposite results. Stillness and inactivity are synonyms for stagnation, while delay is a temporary setback rather than the deterioration that stagnation causes.

8

Dishonesty is to distrust as honesty is to

credibility

sincerity

integrity

truth

Explanation

Dishonesty creates distrust, while honesty creates credibility. Both show how behavioral choices affect how others perceive and respond to someone. Truth is what honest people tell, integrity and sincerity are qualities of honest people rather than results of their honesty.

9

Deforestation is to erosion as overfishing is to

boats

fishing

ocean

depletion

Explanation

Deforestation causes erosion, just as overfishing causes depletion. Both demonstrate how excessive exploitation of natural resources leads to environmental degradation. Ocean is where overfishing occurs, fishing is the activity itself, and boats are tools used in the process.

10

Carelessness is to mistakes as diligence is to

persistence

accuracy

effort

dedication

Explanation

Carelessness leads to mistakes, while diligence leads to accuracy. This shows contrasting behavioral traits producing opposite outcomes in work quality. Effort, persistence, and dedication are all components or synonyms of diligent behavior rather than results of being diligent.

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