Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

Questions 1 - 10
1

Vessel is to ship as __________.

report is to account

fascination is to ennui

jump is to run

wail is to laugh

carefree is to serious

Explanation

“Vessel” is a noun that can mean “a ship or large boat” or “a hollow container,” or chiefly in or alluding to biblical use, “a person having a particular quality.” So, “vessel” and “ship” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of a pair of synonyms. While “report is to account” and “fascination is to ennui” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “ennui” means “a feeling of dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “fascination.” So, “fascination is to ennui” cannot be the correct answer. “Report,” however, when used as a noun, can mean “an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.” So, because “report” and “account” are synonyms, just as “vessel” and “ship” are synonyms, “report is to account” is the correct answer.

2

Complete this analogy.

Jumble is to organize as __________ is to yell.

murmur

scream

converse

ignore

allow

Explanation

"Jumble" means to disorganize something, to put something out of order, to make a mess. It is therefore an antonym of "organize" because these words have opposite meanings. Which of these words is an antonym of "yell?" The correct answer is "murmur," which means whisper, talk quietly. Additionally, "converse" means talk with someone.

3

Complete this analogy.

Commute is to work as matriculate is to __________.

college

park

beach

market

gym

Explanation

"Commute" is a verb that means to go to "work," to journey to or from "work." So, which of these places do you go to if you are "matriculating?" The correct answer is that "matriculate" means go to college, enroll at college.

4

Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.

Transgression

Sin

Nook

Verity

Apparel

Witticism

Explanation

A "transgression" is a sin or a violation of a law.

5

Vessel is to ship as __________.

report is to account

fascination is to ennui

jump is to run

wail is to laugh

carefree is to serious

Explanation

“Vessel” is a noun that can mean “a ship or large boat” or “a hollow container,” or chiefly in or alluding to biblical use, “a person having a particular quality.” So, “vessel” and “ship” are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of a pair of synonyms. While “report is to account” and “fascination is to ennui” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “ennui” means “a feeling of dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “fascination.” So, “fascination is to ennui” cannot be the correct answer. “Report,” however, when used as a noun, can mean “an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.” So, because “report” and “account” are synonyms, just as “vessel” and “ship” are synonyms, “report is to account” is the correct answer.

6

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EXASPERATED

Frustrated

Displeased

Magnificent

Gregarious

Munificent

Explanation

To feel "exasperated" means to feel very frustrated. For clarification, "magnificent" means glorious and wonderful; "munificent" means generous; "gregarious" means outgoing and sociable.

7

Complete this analogy.

Leek is to onion as yam is to __________.

potato

farmer

fruit

dinner

meal

Explanation

A "leek" is an example of an "onion," so to solve this analogy you merely need to determine what a "yam" is an example of. The correct answer is "potato."

8

Complete this analogy.

Fruitless is to successful as __________ is to forgiving.

vindictive

flippant

tenacious

opulent

reckless

Explanation

"Fruitless" means not achieving the desire result, unsuccessful. It is an antonym of "successful," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "forgiving." The correct answer is "vindictive," which means having a strong desire to enact cruel revenge. Additionally, "opulent" means luxurious, lavish, grand, magnificent; "reckless" means acting rashly, doing something without considering the consequences; "flippant" means acting disrespectful; "tenacious" means determined, hard-working.

9

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FURTIVELY

Secretively

Keenly

Hardly

Reassuringly

Seriously

Explanation

"Furtive" means sly, shift, or secretive. Something "reassuring" is designed to remove doubts and fears. "Hardly" is a synonym for barely, and "keenly" is a synonym for sharply, acutely, or piercingly. "Seriously" means solemnly or gravely.

10

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GRIEVOUSLY

Seriously

Ruddily

Outrageously

Startlingly

Uncommonly

Explanation

"Grievously" means seriously, as in, "he was grievously wounded by the wild boar." "Ruddy" means red, "outrageous" means shockingly bad, and "startling" means surprising. "Uncommonly" and "unusually" are synonyms, but "uncommonly" can also mean remarkably.

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