All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Pendulum is to oscillate as satellite is to __________.
break
space
technology
communicate
orbit
orbit
"Oscillate" is a verb meaning swing back and forth at a constant pace. Since "oscillate" describes the nature of a pendulum's movement, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a verb that describes the nature of a satellite's movement. Of the three answer choices which are verbs ("communicate," "break," and "orbit"), only "orbit" describes a type of movement, and specifically the movement of a satellite. Since a satellite orbits just as a pendulum oscillates, "orbit" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Seamstress is to sewing as __________.
egg is to hatching
fighting is to wrestler
mother is to caring
captain is to sailing
dog is to fetching
captain is to sailing
Sewing is the task of a seamstress. Similarly, sailing is the task of a captain.
Example Question #3 : Actor And Action
Complete the analogy.
Betray is to comrade as _____________ is to behavior.
demeanor
penalty
condone
etiquette
purgatory
condone
A "comrade" is an ally or fellow worker. To fight or turn against them is to "betray them." The relationship is an action (betray) that can be done to a noun (comrade). Behavior is also a noun, so the answer will be a verb that can be done to or with it.
The answer is "condone" (verb), a reaction to behavior, generally with a negative connotation, such as allowing bad behavior. Prefix "con" = with, root "don" give.
"Demeanor" (noun), prefix "de" = of/away, root "mien" = face or action. It refers to the appearance someone shows to others. This is similar to behavior, but not an action.
"Penalty" (noun), root "penal" = punishment. This is a possible reaction to poor decisions, but not to behavior in general, and it is not an action.
"Purgatory" (noun), root "purg" = to clean, make pure. This is the place your spirit may go based on the decisions made in life. This is a possible consequence, but not an action.
"Etiquette" (noun) means proper and polite behavior.
Example Question #4 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
__________ is to thief as construct is to builder.
Purloin
Implicate
Relegate
Tantalize
Impute
Purloin
Constructing things is something that a "builder" would do, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is something a thief might do. "Thieves" tends to steal, so the correct answer is "purloin." Additionally, "impute" means attribute to; "tantalize" means tease; "relegate" means demote to an inferior position; "implicate" means suggest is guilty or responsible.
Example Question #5 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
__________ is to serve as sovereign is to rule.
Clergyman
Monarch
Peon
Oligarch
Journalist
Peon
A "sovereign" is a monarch, someone who "rules." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is someone who "serves." The correct answer is "peon" which means servant, slave, someone who serves a ruler. Additionally, a "monarch" is a king or queen; an "oligarch" is someone wealthy who has political power in a country; a "clergyman" is a member of the clergy, a member of the church; a "journalist" is someone who reports the news.
Example Question #481 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Despot is to tyranny as ______________.
guardian is to youth
ruler is to evil
potentate is to deceit
criminal is to jail
oracle is to prophecy
oracle is to prophecy
A "despot" by definition engages in tyranny. A "despot" is a person who has absolute power and uses it in a cruel or evil way. "Tyranny" is cruel and oppressive authority. So by definition, a despot is one who engages in tyranny.
Is an "oracle" one who engages in prophecy? By definition, yes. An "oracle" was a person who acted as a messenger between the gods and mortals, telling the future often in hard to understand riddles. And "prophecy" is simply prediction about the future.
Is a "potentate" one who engages in deceit? Not necessarily. A "potentate" is a ruler who holds all or most of the power. This is a distracting answer choice, because there is a similarity between a despot and a potentate, and both tyranny and deceit are negative words, so you might be tempted to think this is the answer. You also might think that "ruler is to evil" is the answer because of the similarities of the words to those in the question, but a "ruler" is a neutral word, neither good nor bad by definition.
Does a "criminal" engage in jail? Not exactly. A "criminal" may go to jail, but the connection isn’t the same, and the definition of a "criminal" is one who breaks a law, not one who goes to jail, that would be a "prisoner" or "convict."
Does a guardian engage in youth? No. A "guardian" is a protector, defender, or supervisor. A youth (meaning a person under the age of 18) may be placed in the care of a guardian, but youth isn’t a defining characteristic of a guardian in the way a despot is defined by tyranny.
Example Question #6 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Heart is to palpitate as scalpel is to ____________.
stymie
fetter
provoke
incise
allure
incise
"Palpitate" means to beat rapidly or intensely. An action done by a "heart" is to "palpitate," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action done by a "scalpel." Well, a "scalpel" is a medical instrument used for cutting. So, the correct answer is "incise." Additionally, "allure" means attract, tempt; "stymie" means hinder, obstruct, prevent; "provoke" means cause a reaction, cause to take action; "fetter" means shackle, tie up.
Example Question #7 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Overseer is to supervise as pedagogue is to ______________.
extol
juxtapose
supplant
edify
bequeath
edify
An "overseer" is a supervisor, a watchman, someone who observes and watches over the behavior of others. So, the role of an "overseer" is to "supervise." What is the role of a "pedagogue?" Well, a "pedagogue" is a teacher. So, the correct answer is "edify," which means teach, build, instruct. Additionally, "supplant" means replace; "extol" means praise; "bequeath" means leave to, give to following one's death; "juxtapose" means compare side-by-side.
Example Question #8 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Parson is to preach as spelunker is to ______________.
deserve
explore
discuss
berate
write
explore
A "parson" is a vicar, a clergyman. An action undertaken by a "parson" is "preaching." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that a "spelunker" might do. Well, a "spelunker" is a cave-diver, someone who "explores" caves. Additionally, "berate" means scold, yell at for a long time.
Example Question #9 : Actor And Action
Complete this analogy.
Raconteur is to __________ as cataract is to cascade.
reprimand
disparage
elongate
narrate
covet
narrate
A "cataract" is another name for a waterfall. Waterfall's "cascade," which means (of water) to fall and flow rapidly. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what action is undertaken by a "raconteur." Well, a "raconteur" is a storyteller, someone who "narrates." Additionally, "elongate" means make longer; "reprimand" means yell at, punish; "disparage" means mock, make fun of in a mean way; "covet" means envy and desire, to want something someone else has.
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