SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Specific Terminology

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Specific Terminology

Complete the analogy.

Bleat is to goat as coo is to __________.

Possible Answers:

climb 

dove 

bark 

fly 

snake 

Correct answer:

dove 

Explanation:

"Bleat" is the name given to the sound made by a goat. So, to solve this analogy, you need to determine which of these animals makes a sound referred to as a "coo." Pigeons and doves coo, so the correct answer is a "dove."

Example Question #22 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Calf is to cow as whelp is to ________________.

Possible Answers:

cat

beef

dog

chicken

pet

Correct answer:

dog

Explanation:

A "calf" is a baby "cow." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "whelp" is the baby of. The correct answer is that a "whelp" is a puppy, a baby dog. The term "whelp" can also be used as a verb, in which case it means to give birth to a puppy

Example Question #23 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Bovine is to cow as ________________.

Possible Answers:

zoology is to safari

paw is to hoof

zebra is to stripe

feline is to cat

aquarium is to fish

Correct answer:

feline is to cat

Explanation:

Bovine is an adjective used to describe something of, relating to, or affecting cows. The correct answer will demonstrate a similar relationship between an adjective and its specific animal. Feline is an adjective used to describe something of, relating to, or resemblant of a cat, and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #24 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Hart is to ________________ as gander is to goose.

Possible Answers:

eggs

deer

hunt

elephant 

swan 

Correct answer:

deer

Explanation:

"Gander" means male "goose." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these animals, when male, is known as a "hart." The correct answer is that a "hart" is an adult, male "deer."

Example Question #25 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Aquiline is to ____________ as leonine is to lion.

Possible Answers:

eagle

jungle

lioness

horse

cow

Correct answer:

eagle

Explanation:

"Leonine" means of or related to "lions," or characteristics of "lions." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which animal is described by the word "aquiline." The correct answer is "eagles." For additional help, "bovine" means related to cows and "equine" means related to horses.

Example Question #26 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Apiarist is to _____________ as swineherd is to pigs.

Possible Answers:

bees

cows

goats

dogs

birds

Correct answer:

bees

Explanation:

A "swineherd" is a farmer who keeps "pigs." So, to solve this analogy you simply need to determine what it is that an "apiarist" keeps. The correct answer is than an "apiarist" is a "beekeeper."

Example Question #1 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

King is to queen as __________.

Possible Answers:

waitress is to waiter

fog is to weather

lion is to lioness

donut is to sprinkles

leaf is to green

Correct answer:

lion is to lioness

Explanation:

"King" is the name for a male royal ruler, and "queen" is the name for a female royal ruler. So, we need to find another set of words where the first word refers to a male of something and the second to a female of that same thing. While "waitress is to waiter" may look like a good answer choice, it is not correct, because the words are in the opposite order; whereas "king is to queen" goes male is to female, "waitress is to waiter" goes female is to male. Since "lion" refers to a male cat of that species and "lioness" a female one, and "lion is to lioness" follows the pattern male is to female, "lion is to lioness" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Governor is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

suffragette

nurse

magnate

philanthropist

matron

Correct answer:

matron

Explanation:

To solve this problem you have to determine which of these answer choices is often used as a female equivalent of "governor." The correct answer is "matron" which means governess, woman in charge of the maintenance of something. Additionally, "philanthropist" means person who gives to charity; a "suffragette" was a woman who campaigned for the right to vote (for the right to 'suffrage'); a "magnate" is a tycoon, a successful person in business.

Example Question #2 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Bachelor is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

duchess

spinster

matron

damsel

baroness

Correct answer:

spinster

Explanation:

A "bachelor" is an unmarried man, likely to be single for a long time. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these matches this same definition for a woman. The correct answer is a "spinster," although it is worth noting that in contemporary society the term "spinster" (and for that matter "bachelor") can carry negative connotations. Additionally, a "matron" is a female governor; a "damsel" is a female character in a story, usually young and beautiful, who needs to be rescued by the male protagonist; "baroness" and "duchess" are both words for different types of female members of the aristocracy.

Example Question #3 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Curmudgeon is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

matron 

prognosticator

ancestor

governess

termagant

Correct answer:

termagant

Explanation:

A "curmudgeon" is a grumpy or bad-tempered person. However, it is generally used almost exclusively to describe old men. Some adjectives and nouns have gendered connotations, such as "dashing" for a man or "beautiful" for a woman. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words might be used to describe a "female curmudgeon." The correct answer is "termagant" which means a mean-spirited or angry woman. Additionally, an "ancestor" is a family member who came before you; a "matron" is a governess, a woman in charge of domestic life for another family; a "prognosticator" is someone who predicts the future.

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