SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Elementary Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #261 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Love is to hate as __________.

Possible Answers:

cruel is to weak

small is to medium

boy is to man

cold is to temperature 

friend is to enemy

Correct answer:

friend is to enemy

Explanation:

"Love" and "hate" are opposites, meaning that they are completely different from each other. An "enemy" is someone with whom there is antagonism, while a "friend" is someone with whom there is a shared closeness. Therefore, a "friend" is the opposite of an "enemy." Hence, "friend is to enemy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #262 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Wide is to narrow as brief is to __________.

Possible Answers:

paper

large

slim

certain

lengthy

Correct answer:

lengthy

Explanation:

"Wide" and "narrow" are opposites, or antonyms, so you need to pick out a word that means the opposite of "brief." "Brief" means lasting for a short amount of time, or short when referring to a written work. So, the answer choice that means the opposite of "brief" is "lengthy," which means lasting for a long time, or long when referring to a written work.

Example Question #263 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Harsh is to kind as repulsive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sudden

attractive

descending

embarrassing

outlawed

Correct answer:

attractive

Explanation:

Someone who is "harsh" is not kind, so, to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of these answer choices is the antonym (which means the opposite) of "repulsive." "Repulsive" means disgusting or pushing or driving things away, so the best antonym is "attractive," which mean pretty or appealing.

Example Question #161 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete the analogy.

Distracted is to attentive as grimy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

gritty

dirty

clean

funny

happy

Correct answer:

clean

Explanation:

"Distracted" and "attentive" are antonyms. "Grimy" means dirty, and the opposite of dirty is "clean."

Example Question #41 : Antonyms

Complete the analogy.

Safe is to risky as bravery is to __________.

Possible Answers:

genius

cowardice

daredevil

courage

daring

Correct answer:

cowardice

Explanation:

"Safe" and "risky" are antonyms, so the answer must be an antonym of "bravery." "Courage" and "daring" are synonyms of "bravery," and a "daredevil" is someone who may show bravery. A "genius" has nothing to do with the word "bravery." "Cowardice" is the only antonym of bravery.

Example Question #42 : Antonyms

Analogies: Complete this analogy. 

Beneficial is to useless as ripe is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rotten

helpful

fresh

harmful

perilous

Correct answer:

rotten

Explanation:

Something that is "beneficial" is helpful, useful. So, "beneficial" is an antonym of "useless." An "antonym" is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word, like "bad" and "good." To solve this analogy you have to determine which one of these words has the opposite meaning to "ripe." "Ripe" means fresh, ready to be eaten. So the best antonym is "rotten" which means no longer fresh. To provide further help, "perilous" means dangerous

Example Question #273 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy. 

Diminish is to enhance as relaxed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

playful

calm

settled

merry

anxious

Correct answer:

anxious

Explanation:

"Diminish" means to make smaller, whereas "enhance" means to make larger. These words are antonyms of one another because they have opposite meanings. To solve this analogy then you need to determine which of these answer choices has the opposite meaning of "relaxed." The correct answer is "anxious," which means stressed, worried, nervous. To provide further help, "merry" means happy.

Example Question #251 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Honest is to corrupt as damp is to __________.

Possible Answers:

drenched

burned

dry

soaked

lost

Correct answer:

dry

Explanation:

To begin with "corrupt" means dishonest, showing a willingness to abuse one's power in exchange for money. So, "corrupt" and "honest" are antonyms of one another. An "antonym" is a word that has the opposite meaning to another word. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "damp," which means a little wet. The correct answer is "dry." Additionally, "drenched" and "soaked" are synonyms, both words mean made very wet.

Example Question #275 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Dull is to sharp as ____________.

Possible Answers:

hairy is to monkey

clean is to spotless

dark is to light

dusty is to dirty

quiet is to calm

Correct answer:

dark is to light

Explanation:

To complete the analogy, you must determine the relationship between the first two words. "Dull" and "sharp" are antonyms, or opposites, so the answer must be two antonyms. "Dark" is the opposite of light, so that must be the correct answer.

Example Question #276 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Early is to late ________________.

Possible Answers:

water is to drink

open is to closed

morning is to sunrise

midnight is to nighttime

store is to open

Correct answer:

open is to closed

Explanation:

"Early" and "late" are antonyms, or opposites, so the answer must be two antonyms. "Open" is the opposite of "closed," so that must be the correct answer.

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