Part-to-Whole Analogies

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SSAT Upper Level: Verbal › Part-to-Whole Analogies

Questions 1 - 10
1

Tile is to mosaic as:

design is to pattern

piece is to puzzle

color is to spectrum

paint is to brush

Explanation

A tile is a part of a mosaic, just as a piece is a part of a puzzle. Both show part-to-whole relationships between individual components and the complete works they form together. Choice A is incorrect because paint and brush don't represent part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because color and spectrum aren't part-to-whole related in the same way. Choice D is incorrect because design and pattern don't demonstrate a part-to-whole relationship.

2

Page is to magazine as:

chapter is to book

headline is to story

cover is to publication

subscription is to reader

Explanation

A page is a part of a magazine, just as a chapter is a part of a book. Both demonstrate part-to-whole relationships between structural components and publications. Choice B is incorrect because cover and publication don't show the same part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because headline and story represent part-to-whole at a different level. Choice D is incorrect because subscription and reader don't represent a part-to-whole relationship.

3

Soldier is to army as:

weapon is to warfare

officer is to command

sailor is to navy

uniform is to identification

Explanation

A soldier is a part of an army, just as a sailor is a part of a navy. Both demonstrate part-to-whole relationships between individual military personnel and their respective service branches. Choice A is incorrect because officer and command don't show part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because weapon and warfare aren't part-to-whole related. Choice D is incorrect because uniform and identification don't represent a part-to-whole relationship.

4

Paragraph is to essay as:

word is to dictionary

grammar is to language

topic is to discussion

sentence is to paragraph

Explanation

A paragraph is a part of an essay, just as a sentence is a part of a paragraph. Both demonstrate part-to-whole relationships between textual units and larger compositions. Choice B is incorrect because word and dictionary don't represent the same part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because topic and discussion aren't part-to-whole related. Choice D is incorrect because grammar and language don't show a part-to-whole relationship.

5

Wheel is to bicycle as:

pedal is to exercise

seat is to automobile

engine is to motorcycle

spoke is to rotation

Explanation

A wheel is a part of a bicycle, just as an engine is a part of a motorcycle. Both show part-to-whole relationships between essential components and vehicles. Choice A is incorrect because while a seat is part of an automobile, it's not as essential a component as a wheel or engine. Choice C is wrong because pedal and exercise don't represent a part-to-whole relationship. Choice D is incorrect because spoke and rotation aren't part-to-whole related.

6

Chapter is to book as:

cover is to binding

verse is to poem

page is to library

author is to novel

Explanation

A chapter is a part of a book, just as a verse is a part of a poem. Both demonstrate clear part-to-whole relationships. Choice A is incorrect because a page is not part of a library. Choice C is wrong because an author creates a novel but isn't part of it. Choice D is incorrect because cover and binding are both parts of a book's exterior, not a part-to-whole relationship.

7

Petal is to flower as:

leaf is to tree

stem is to water

seed is to fruit

root is to soil

Explanation

A petal is a part of a flower, just as a leaf is a part of a tree. Both show a part-to-whole relationship. Choice B is incorrect because root and soil don't have a part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because stem and water aren't related as part to whole. Choice D is incorrect because seed and fruit don't represent a part-to-whole relationship in the same way.

8

Engine is to car as:

speed is to acceleration

motor is to boat

gear is to transmission

fuel is to gasoline

Explanation

An engine is a part of a car, just as a motor is a part of a boat. Both show part-to-whole relationships between propulsion systems and vehicles. Choice B is incorrect because fuel and gasoline don't represent part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because gear and transmission show part-to-whole but at a different level. Choice D is incorrect because speed and acceleration don't demonstrate a part-to-whole relationship.

9

Cell is to organism as:

organ is to function

DNA is to genetics

atom is to molecule

tissue is to biology

Explanation

A cell is a part of an organism, just as an atom is a part of a molecule. Both show part-to-whole relationships between fundamental building blocks and the larger structures they form. Choice B is incorrect because tissue and biology don't represent part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because organ and function aren't part-to-whole related. Choice D is incorrect because DNA and genetics don't demonstrate a part-to-whole relationship.

10

Ingredient is to recipe as:

kitchen is to restaurant

cooking is to preparation

spice is to flavor

component is to system

Explanation

An ingredient is a part of a recipe, just as a component is a part of a system. Both demonstrate part-to-whole relationships between individual elements and the complete structures they form. Choice A is incorrect because spice and flavor don't show part-to-whole relationship. Choice C is wrong because cooking and preparation aren't part-to-whole related. Choice D is incorrect because kitchen and restaurant don't represent a part-to-whole relationship.

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