Tool and Use

Help Questions

SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Tool and Use

Questions 1 - 10
1

Complete this analogy.

Strum is to instrument as devour is to __________.

meal

friend

tool

vehicle

sport

Explanation

To "strum" means to play an instrument (like a guitar) by moving one's fingers up and down the strings. So, one can "strum" and instrument, to which of these does one "devour?" To "devour" means to consume, to eat. So, the correct answer is a meal.

2

Complete this analogy.

Ford is to __________________ as overpass is to highway.

river

forest

mountain

town

farm

Explanation

The purpose of an "overpass" is to allow you to cross the "highway." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that a "ford" allows you to cross. The correct answer is a "river." A "ford" is a shallow area of a "river" where one might cross safely. "Ford" can also be used as a verb, as in to "ford the river."

3

Complete this analogy.

Bloodhound is to __________ as sheepdog is to herding.

hunting

aggressive

docile

training

canine

Explanation

One uses a "sheepdog" to "herd" sheep, so to solve this analogy you need to determine what one uses a "bloodhound" for. Even if you had not heard the word before, the use of "blood" should help you choose the correct answer which is "hunting." Additionally, "canine" means dog, related to dogs; "docile" means obedient, submissive, not aggressive or disobedient.

4

Complete this analogy.

Garage is to repair as cabaret is to _________________.

entertain

dispute

protect

shield

condone

Explanation

A "garage" is a place where cars are fixed. To solve this analogy you need to determine what the purpose of a "cabaret" is. Well, a "cabaret" is entertainment held in a club where the audience sits at tables surrounding the stage. The purpose of a "cabaret" then is to "entertain."

5

Complete this analogy.

Forum is to _____________ as nook is to seclusion.

discussion

isolation

meeting

governor

priest

Explanation

A "nook" is a small corner or hidden place where someone or something might seek "seclusion" or privacy. To provide further help, "seclusion" is the condition of being away from others or in a private place. So, if the purpose of a "nook" is for "seclusion," what is the purpose of a "forum?" Well, a "forum" is a place where people meet to talk about things. So, the purpose of a "forum" is "discussion."

6

Complete this analogy.

Polemic is to condemn as sarcophagus is to ______________.

entomb

impute

adorn

obfuscate

harangue

Explanation

A "polemic" is a passionate written or verbal attack on someone or something. The purpose of a "polemic" is to "condemn" something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "sarcophagus" is used for. Well, a "sarcophagus" is a type of coffin. So, it is used to "entomb" (inter, bury, 'lay to rest') someone. Additionally, "harangue" means scold, criticize; "impute" means to attribute a quality to someone; "adorn" means decorate, festoon; "obfuscate" means confuse.

7

Complete this analogy.

Capillary is to __________ as aqueduct is to water.

blood

heat

time

wet

food

Explanation

An "aqueduct" is a vessel used to transport water. So, which of these is transported using a "capillary?" Well, a "capillary" is a small vessel used to transport blood around the body. So, the correct answer is "blood."

8

Complete this analogy.

Antechamber is to __________ as cloakroom is to storage.

waiting

performing

selling

resting

washing

Explanation

The purpose of a "cloakroom" is for "storage." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a common purpose associated with an "antechamber." Well, an "antechamber" is a small side room, typically associated with "waiting" for some other room to be ready.

9

Complete this analogy.

Dike is to flooding as fortress is to __________.

invading

castle

army

defending

levee

Explanation

A "dike" is a low-wall built to prevent "flooding." So, if a "dike" is meant to prevent "flooding," what is it that a "fortress" is designed to prevent? The correct answer is "invading." Additionally, a "levee" is a low-wall built to prevent the overflow of a river. It is very similar to a "dike" in definition.

10

Complete this analogy.

Handle is to carry as pocket is to __________.

hold

lose

hire

pretend

illuminate

Explanation

One uses a handle to carry something, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what one uses a pocket to do to something. Pockets are used for containing things or carrying things, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “contain” or “carry.” “Hold,” when used as a verb, means “to contain,” and because one uses a pocket to hold something just as one uses a handle to carry something, “hold” is the correct answer.

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