SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #241 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Fathom is to understand as envelop is to __________.

Possible Answers:

posthumous

deny 

vilify 

surround 

abridge

Correct answer:

surround 

Explanation:

"Fathom" is a synonym of "understand," so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best synonym for envelop. To "envelop" means to completely surround something. For clarification, "vilify" means to make someone or something seem evil; "abridge" means to edit and shorten; "posthumous" means after death.

Example Question #242 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Whimsical is to quirky as belligerent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Calm 

Composed 

Pacified 

Aggressive 

Unruffled 

Correct answer:

Aggressive 

Explanation:

"Whimsical" is a synonym of "quirky"; both words describe someone who is silly and unusual. So, to solve this analogy, one must find an adequate synonym for "belligerent." Someone who is "belligerent" is aggressive and combative. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all synonyms of one another and antonyms of "belligerent."

Example Question #243 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Penalty is to punishment as reward is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Laudable 

Deserved 

Criticism 

Prize 

Rebuke 

Correct answer:

Prize 

Explanation:

"Penalty" is a synonym of "punishment." To solve this analogy, you have to determine the best synonym of "reward," which is “prize.” For clarification, "rebuke" means to scold, and "laudable" means deserving of praise.

Example Question #244 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Abominable is to detestable as comely is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Infamous 

Fulsome 

Belligerent 

Ugly 

Cute 

Correct answer:

Cute 

Explanation:

"Abominable" and "detestable" are synonyms of one another; they both describe something horrific and monstrous. To solve this analogy, you need to find the best synonym of "comely." "Comely" means cute or attractive, so it is the correct answer. For clarification, "belligerent" means aggressive, "fulsome" means flattering or excessive, and "infamous" describes someone famous for having committed bad deeds.

Example Question #241 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Fringe is to edge as invention is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Innovation 

Miscellaneous

Detrimental 

Stupidity 

Remorse 

Correct answer:

Innovation 

Explanation:

"Fringe" and "edge" are synonyms of one another, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "ingenuity." "Invention" describes the act of designing and creating a new thing, often a device or a newly-designed thing, often a device, so the answer choice that is its closest synonym is "innovation," which can mean a new invention. For clarification, "detrimental" means harmful, "remorse" is a feeling of guilt and regret, and "miscellaneous" means varied, assorted, or random.

Example Question #242 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Indifferent is to apathetic as unique is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Biased 

Objective 

Unoriginal 

Subjective 

Different 

Correct answer:

Different 

Explanation:

"Indifferent" is a synonym of "apathetic," and both mean not caring about the outcome of something. To solve this analogy, you need to determine the best available synonym of unique. "Unique" means original or distinct, so it is most similar in meaning to “different,” the correct answer. For clarification, "biased" and "subjective" are synonyms that each mean subject to personal opinion, and "objective," an antonym of "biased" and "subjective," means not biased.

Example Question #247 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Remiss is to careless as assuage is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Meander 

Abhor 

Relieve 

Allude 

Juxtapose

Correct answer:

Relieve 

Explanation:

"Remiss" is a synonym of "careless," so to solve this analogy, you have to identify the best available synonym of "assuage." "Assuage" means to make better, to calm or to relieve. For clarification, "abhor" means hate, "allude" means hint or suggest, "juxtapose" means put two different things together, and "meander" means move or flow in a winding, indirect manner.

Example Question #248 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Imperious is to arrogant as meek is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Proud 

Timid 

Boastful 

Brash 

Bold

Correct answer:

Timid 

Explanation:

"Imperious" is a synonym of "arrogant," so to solve this analogy, you need to determine the best synonym of "meek." "Meek" means weak and shy, so the correct answer is “timid.” For clarification, "brash" means bold, and "boastful" means arrogant.

Example Question #249 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Plunder is to steal as vend is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Loan 

Manage 

Dream

Sell 

Buy 

Correct answer:

Sell 

Explanation:

"Plunder" is a synonym of "steal," so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available synonym of "vend." "Vend" means “sell," so "sell" is the correct answer.

Example Question #251 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Clan is to tribe as hamlet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Nation 

Culture

Religion 

Market

Village 

Correct answer:

Village 

Explanation:

"Clan" is a synonym of "tribe," so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best synonym of "hamlet." A hamlet is a small town or village, so the correct answer is "village."

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