All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Metallic is to metal as ceramic is to __________.
plastic
wool
clay
bowl
brick
clay
“Metallic” is an adjective that means “of, relating to, or resembling metal or metals.” So, something that is metallic can be made of metal, meaning that we need to pick out an answer choice that describes the material that something that is “ceramic” consists of. While all of the answer choices except for “bowl” refer to materials, “ceramic” specifically means “made of clay and hardened by heat,” so “clay” is the correct answer.
Example Question #586 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Wolf is to feral as dog is to __________.
wild
untamed
natural
domesticated
uncultivated
domesticated
"Feral" means wild and untamed and is a quality generally associated with a wolf so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is generally associated with a dog. A dog is generally “domesticated” which means accustomed to living with or near people. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all loosely synonyms of feral.
Example Question #587 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete the analogy.
Heroine is to noble as strategy is to ___________.
None of these answers.
purposefully
deliberate
procedure
imprudent
deliberate
A "heroine" is a female who is considered brave, which is observed by the adjective "noble." "Noble" is describing a feature of a "heroine." Therefore, the answer is a description of, or feature of, a strategy.
The correct answer is "deliberate," which means done with careful consideration. A "strategy" is created from careful planning.
"Procedure" (noun) is incorrect because it is not an adjective, and it is synonymous with strategy. It is a set of steps to meet a goal.
"Imprudent" (adj) means not wise or sensible. Prefix "im" = not, root "prud" = wise. It is the antonym of a strategy.
"Purposefully" (adverb) means done on purpose. Root "pur" = forth, "pose" put/place. While it does fit the analogy, it is an adverb and cannot describe a noun (strategy).
Example Question #588 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Impervious is to penetrated as __________ is to wrong.
fraudulent
infallible
arbitrary
hospitable
abominable
infallible
"Impervious" means unable to be penetrated, unable to be passed through. So, something that is "impervious" cannot be penetrated. Which of these is an answer choice that cannot be "wrong"? The correct answer is "infallible" which means unable to be questioned, incapable of being wrong. Additionally, "arbitrary" means random and meaningless; "abominable" means detestable, loathsome; "hospitable" means welcoming; "fraudulent" means fake, phony, not authentic.
Example Question #589 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Academic is to __________ as comedian is to amusing.
hilarious
rendition
university
knowledgeable
diploma
knowledgeable
It is a quality of a "comedian" to be "amusing" or humorous and entertaining. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of an "academic." An "academic" is someone who studies or teaches at a university for a living, so the correct answer is "knowledgeable." Additionally, a "rendition" is a performance of something practiced.
Example Question #32 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Below is to grave as above is to __________.
innuendo
crucible
mausoleum
platitude
adage
mausoleum
A "grave" is a place to bury the dead "below" ground, so the correct answer to this analogy is a "mausoleum" because this is a place to bury the dead "above" ground. Additionally, a "platitude" is a fawning and unoriginal comment; a "crucible" is a trial; an "adage" is an old saying meant to impart some lesson; "innuendo" is a suggestive and rude remark.
Example Question #33 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies
Complete this analogy.
__________ is to cat as cunning is to fox.
Loyalty
Curiosity
Determination
Honesty
Veneration
Curiosity
Being "cunning" is a characteristic commonly attributed to "foxes" in contemporary society. Which of these is a characteristic commonly attributed to "cats?" The correct answer is "curiosity." Additionally, "veneration" means deep respect for, worship.
Example Question #34 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Knight is to chivalrous as pauper is to __________.
demonstrative
raucous
factious
indigent
celibate
indigent
The quality of being "chivalrous" (honorable, courteous, gallant) is generally associated with a "knight." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these adjectives is a quality generally associated with being a "pauper." A "pauper" is a beggar, a homeless person, a penniless person. So, a quality of a pauper is to be very poor, to be penniless, to be "indigent." Additionally, "factious" means leading to conflict, causing disagreement; "celibate" means abstinent, not engaging in sexual acts; "raucous" means loud and chaotic, out of control; "demonstrative" means expressive, open about one's feelings, showy.
Example Question #35 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Cry is to wail as _______________.
plead is to ask
sleep is to awaken
shout is to bellow
exclaim is to suggest
whisper is to conceal
shout is to bellow
This is what can be called a degree analogy. When two words have very close meanings but one is a more intense level than the other, it is a good idea to establish which is a higher and which is a lesser degree. A "cry" is a lesser degree than a "wail."
"Shout is to bellow" is the correct answer. A "shout" is a lesser degree than a "bellow." A "shout" is a loud call or cry, but a "bellow" is a deep, loud roar.
To "exclaim" is to cry out with emotion. It isn’t a lesser degree of "suggest." "Plead" is a higher degree of "ask," so it is “backwards” from the stem or original analogy. A "whisper" is not a lesser degree of "conceal;" you might whisper if you are trying to conceal something, but it isn’t the same connection as that of the original analogy.
Example Question #40 : Qualities And Features
Complete this analogy.
Elusive is to catch as ________________.
late is to shorten
treacherous is to destroy
joyous is to mischief
exhausted is to sleep
awkward is to carry
awkward is to carry
"Elusive" is the adjective form of "elude," which means to avoid or escape capture. (“Even though the police set up roadblocks to stop the criminals, they eluded capture.”) So if something is elusive, it’s difficult to catch.
Now using that bridge sentence in the answer choices, if something is late is it difficult to shorten? No.
If something is "treacherous," is it difficult to destroy? Well, maybe, but not by definition. "Treacherous" means marked by hidden dangers. ("The river looks calm, but has treacherous currents that can sweep away even a strong swimmer.”)
If something is awkward, is it hard to carry? Yes. "Awkward" has a couple of meanings. Perhaps the one used the most is socially uncomfortable like an awkward moment when you see your teacher at the mall after you said you were sick and couldn’t stay after school. But "awkward" also means difficult to handle or manage (like an awkward package). So "awkward is to carry" is the correct answer.
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
