SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Abilities

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Walk is to ambulatory as __________.

Possible Answers:

arrange is to scatter

see is to blind

protect is to defensible

fingernail is to finger

feel is to sentient

Correct answer:

feel is to sentient

Explanation:

"Ambulatory" is an adjective that means either having to do with walking or physically able to walk. So, someone or something who is ambulatory is able to walk, and we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is an adjective that means one is able to do what the first word describes. While "protect is to defensible" might look like a potentially correct answer, something that can protect is not necessarily itself defensible (able to be defended). So, "protect is to defensible" cannot be the correct answer. "Feel is to sentient" is the best answer choice because just as someone or something ambulatory is able to walk, something that is sentient is able to feel, as "sentient" means able to feel things.

Example Question #2 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Edible is to food as legible is to __________.

Possible Answers:

text

write

speech

newsprint

pencil

Correct answer:

text

Explanation:

Edible means able to be consumed as food, and food is what is eaten. We're looking to recreate this same relationship between "legible," which means able to be read, and another word. We know that word will be a noun, since it needs to represent what is read, and "food" is a noun. So, we can ignore "write," a verb. While "newsprint" seems like a good choice, it is the material upon which words are printed, and is not itself read, so it's not the best answer. Considering the remaining nouns, "text" is the best answer choice as text is the thing that is read, just as food is the thing that is eaten.

Example Question #3 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Stomach is to digestion as lung is to __________.

Possible Answers:

respiration

childbirth

cognition

nutrition

locomotion

Correct answer:

respiration

Explanation:

The stomach is a bodily organ that engages in digestion, and the lung is an organ that engages in respiration.

Example Question #6 : Actor And Action

Complete this analogy.

Blindness is to sight as mute is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mouth

speaking

ear

waves

hearing

Correct answer:

speaking

Explanation:

"Blindness" is the lack of ability to see, thus this analogy is merely looking for that which is lacking to one who is mute. Used as a noun, a “mute” is a person who is unable to speak. Even if used as an adjective, “mute” can describe someone who is not speaking at a given time: “He remained mute, refusing to speak a word while his ‘friend’ screamed at him.” The mute setting on a television is so called because it stifles the sound.

Example Question #3 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Deaf is to hear as illiterate is to __________

Possible Answers:

eyes

books

sing

read

draw

Correct answer:

read

Explanation:

Since someone who is "deaf" is unable to hear, we need to pick out a word that describes what someone who is "illiterate" is unable to do. Since "illiterate" means unable to read or write due to not knowing how, "read" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #5 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to short as elongate is to long.

Possible Answers:

Imbibe

Consume

Galvanize

Burgeon

Abbreviate

Correct answer:

Abbreviate

Explanation:

The verb "elongate" means to make longer, so which of these answer choices means to make smaller? The correct answer is "abbreviate." Additionally, "consume" means use completely, eat; "imbibe" means drink; "galvanize" means motivate, inspire to action; "burgeon" means blossom, grow, flourish.

Example Question #5 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Bittersweet is to oxymoron as ______________ is to palindrome.

Possible Answers:

suitcase

stairway

clock

radar

engine

Correct answer:

radar

Explanation:

An "oxymoron" is a phrase or word which contains apparently contradictory language. So, "bittersweet" is an "oxymoron" because it contains "bitter" and "sweet" which are two words that mean roughly the opposite of one another. Another example of an "oxymoron" is "open secret" or "sweet sorrow." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a "palindrome." Well, a "palindrome" is a word that reads the same backwards as forwards. So, an example of a "palindrome" is "noon" or "eye." The correct answer is therefore "radar." 

Example Question #6 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Polymath is to knowledge as yahoo is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

cruelty 

temerity

majesty

ignorance

compassion 

Correct answer:

ignorance

Explanation:

A "polymath" is someone who understands many things and has a wide-ranging "knowledge." So, if a "polymath" has lots of "knowledge," what does a "yahoo" have a lot of? Well, a "yahoo" is a poorly-educated person, who is rude and "ignorant." Additionally, "compassion" is kindness and generosity, particularly when directed at those who have less than you; "temerity" is audacity, nerve, arrogance and 'cheek'; "majesty" is splendor, dignity, stateliness.

Example Question #7 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Purveyor is to vend as bacchanalian is to __________.

Possible Answers:

admonish

stymie

solicit

carouse

retrogress

Correct answer:

carouse

Explanation:

A "purveyor" is someone who sells luxury products. Another word for "sell" is "vend." So, if a "purveyor" "vends," what does a "bacchanalian" do? Well, a "bacchanalian" is a merrymaker, someone who is given over to drinking too much and partying. So, the correct answer is "carouse," which means to greatly enjoy getting drunk, imbibe. Additionally, "retrogress" means move backwards; "admonish" means scold, yell at, punish; "stymie" means obstruct, hinder, prevent the progress of; "solicit" means ask for, request, seek help or finance.

Example Question #8 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Morphine is to addictive as _____________ is to coastal.

Possible Answers:

summit

hubris

chapel

hospice

riviera

Correct answer:

riviera

Explanation:

"Morphine" is a type of drug used to alleviate pain. One property of "morphine" is that it is highly "addictive." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "coastal" (next to the ocean). The correct answer is "riviera." A "riviera" is a coastal part of a tropical or warm country. Additionally, a "hospice" is a home where sick or elderly people are cared for; a "summit" is a peak, the top of something like a mountain; "hubris" is excessive pride and arrogance; a "chapel" is a small church

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