All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Abilities
Complete this analogy.
Walk is to ambulatory as __________.
arrange is to scatter
see is to blind
protect is to defensible
fingernail is to finger
feel is to sentient
feel is to sentient
"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 __________.
text
write
speech
newsprint
pencil
text
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 __________.
respiration
childbirth
cognition
nutrition
locomotion
respiration
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 __________.
mouth
speaking
ear
waves
hearing
speaking
"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 __________.
eyes
books
sing
read
draw
read
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.
Imbibe
Consume
Galvanize
Burgeon
Abbreviate
Abbreviate
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.
suitcase
stairway
clock
radar
engine
radar
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 _______________.
cruelty
temerity
majesty
ignorance
compassion
ignorance
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 __________.
admonish
stymie
solicit
carouse
retrogress
carouse
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.
summit
hubris
chapel
hospice
riviera
riviera
"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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