SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Complete this analogy.

Ichthyology is to fish as ecclesiology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

churches

skyscrapers

reptiles

birds

architecture

Correct answer:

churches

Explanation:

To solve this analogy you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek roots. To begin with the prefix ichthy- means fish, so "ichthyology" is the study of fish. So, what is "ecclesiology" the study of? The Greek prefix ecclesi- means congregation, church. So, "ecclesiology" is the study of churches.

Example Question #13 : Analogies: Prefixes

Complete this analogy.

Autonomy is to __________ as theocracy is to God.

Possible Answers:

wealthy

self

workers

king

chaos

Correct answer:

self

Explanation:

The prefix theo- means related to religion or to "God." So, "theocracy" is the rule of a government through "God" or the application of religious laws. To solve this analogy you need to determine what "autonomy" is the rule of. Well, auto- means "self," so "autonomy" is the ability to rule oneself.

Example Question #51 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Antiquated is to the past as __________ is to the present.

Possible Answers:

obdurate

mundane

current

severe

youthful

Correct answer:

current

Explanation:

The Greek and Latin prefix anti- can mean either opposite, against as in "antisocial" which means not social. Or, anti- can mean old, ancient. In "antiquated" it is used in the latter sense, "antiquated" means very old, outdated, ancient. Something from the past could be described as "antiquated," so which of these is a word that could describe something from the present? The correct answer is "current" which means contemporary, in the present. Additionally, "youthful" means young; "mundane" means ordinary, boring; "severe" means intense, harsh; "obdurate" means stubborn, intractable.

Example Question #51 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Astronomy is to space as geology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

chemistry

weather

rocks

economics

life

Correct answer:

rocks

Explanation:

The Greek prefix astr- means stars, sun and the Greek root -nom- means arrangement, order, study. So, "astronomy" is literally the arrangement of the stars or the study of outer space. Furthermore, the Greek prefix geo- means Earth, of the Earth and the suffix -ology means study of. So, "geology" is literally the study of the Earth or the study of rocks and rock formations.

Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Cytology is to cells as nomology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

math

equations

law

public health

probability

Correct answer:

law

Explanation:

"Cytology" is the study of cells, so to solve this analogy you need to determine what "nomology" is the study of. To solve this problem it helps to consider the meaning of the Greek prefix nom- which means law, order. So, "nomology" is the study of law.

Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Anthropology is to __________ as meteorology is to weather.

Possible Answers:

recreation

animals

mankind

occupations

literature

Correct answer:

mankind

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek prefixes. To begin with "meteorology" is the study of weather, the atmosphere, and weather patterns. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "anthropology" is the study of. The Greek prefix anthrop- means human, so "anthropology" is the study of mankind, the study of humans.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Xenophobia is to foreigners as arachnophobia is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

psychology

travel

spiders

politics

silence

Correct answer:

spiders

Explanation:

"Xenophobia" is an irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. The correct answer will demonstrate a relationship between a fear and the object of that fear. "Arachno" derives from the Greek root meaning spider, and "arachnophobia" is the fear of spiders.

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Prefixes From Greek

Complete this analogy.

Claustrophobia is to trapped as acrophobia is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

snakes

spiders

dogs

loneliness

heights

Correct answer:

heights

Explanation:

To begin with the suffix -phobia means fear of. "Claustrophobia" is the fear of being "trapped," the fear of tight spaces. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what someone who suffers from "acrophobia" is afraid of. The key here is the prefix acro- (as in "acropolis"), it means height, high. So, "acrophobia" is the fear of "heights" or high places.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Suffixes From Latin

Complete this analogy.

Anglophile is to English as Francophile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Scottish 

Spanish 

Welsh 

German 

French 

Correct answer:

French 

Explanation:

An Anglophile is someone who loves English culture and people, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which nationality is loved by a Francophile. The prefix Franco- often means of or relating to France, so a Francophile is someone who loves French culture and people. For clarification, the suffix –phile means lover of.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Suffixes From Latin

Complete this analogy.

Acrophobia is to heights as claustrophobia is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Being American 

Being confined 

Being introspective 

Being successful

Being ignorant 

Correct answer:

Being confined 

Explanation:

Acrophobia, as you will have learned from the inclusion of the suffix –phobia, is the fear of heights; therefore, in order to solve this analogy you have to determine what claustrophobia is the fear of. It is a commonly expressed fear or discomfort expressed in everyday life, so you likely already know that claustrophobia is the fear of being confined or tapped.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors