SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Qualities, Features, Abilities, and Other Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Vision is to blurry as hearing is to ________________.

Possible Answers:

radio

crass

loudspeaker

obsolete

muffled

Correct answer:

muffled

Explanation:

When dealing with vision, something that is blurry cannot be seen clearly. Similarly, when dealing with hearing, something that is muffled can not be heard clearly. Both examples demonstrate a relationship of perception and quality, therefore making muffled the correct answer.

Example Question #52 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Malefactor is to ________________ as telegraph is to outmoded.

Possible Answers:

docile

imbecilic

recondite

opulent

nefarious

Correct answer:

nefarious

Explanation:

A quality generally associated with the "telegraph" is that it is antiquated, out-of-date, or "outmoded." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality generally associated with a "malefactor." Well, a "malefactor" is is a criminal, someone who does wicked or bad things. So, the correct answer is "nefarious," which means wicked, evil, sinful. Additionally, "opulent" means luxurious; "docile" means tame, domesticated, subservient and under control; "imbecilic" means idiotic, foolish; "recondite" means (of knowledge) known only by a privileged few, arcane, esoteric

Example Question #53 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Nonagenarian is to elderly as braggart is to ________________.

Possible Answers:

acclaimed

deferential

sinewy

overweening

precarious

Correct answer:

overweening

Explanation:

A "nonagenarian" is an old person in their nineties. A quality of a "nonagenarian" then is to be "elderly." Which of these is a quality of a "braggart?" Well, a "braggart" is an arrogant person who brags about themselves a lot. So, a quality of a "braggart" is to be "overweening" (excessively confident, cocky and arrogant). Additionally, "sinewy" means brawny, muscular; "precarious" means dangerous and uncertain; "acclaimed" means widely praised; "deferential" means respectful, being comfortable allowing others to speak or take the lead.

Example Question #54 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Friar is to religious as maverick is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

cagey

ignorant

wizened

blithe

unorthodox

Correct answer:

unorthodox

Explanation:

A "friar" is a member of certain religious orders in Christianity, something like a monk. A quality of a "friar" then is to be "religious." Which of these is a quality of a "maverick?" Well, a "maverick" is someone who does not play by society's rules, someone who is "unorthodox." To help you, "unorthodox" means not ordinary, against the usual way of doing things. Additionally, "cagey" means careful and shrewd; "wizened" means showing the wrinkled appearance of old-age; "blithe" means casual, indifferent, showing too little concern for something important; "ignorant" means not educated about, stupid

Example Question #55 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Laceration is to painful as pedant is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

posthumous

restless

limpid

fastidious

nominal

Correct answer:

fastidious

Explanation:

A "laceration" is a deep cut in one's skin. A quality of a "laceration" is that it is "painful." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with a "pedant." Well, a "pedant" is someone overly concerned with details or following the rules, a perfectionist. So, a quality of a "pedant" is to be "fastidious" (overly concerned with details and accuracy). Additionally, "limpid" means clear; "nominal" means insignificant; "restless" means incapable of resting, having lots of energy; "posthumous" means happening or awarded after someone has died.

Example Question #56 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Chores is to __________ as scion is to prosperous.

Possible Answers:

quotidian

laconic

reverie

pestilent

ebullient

Correct answer:

quotidian

Explanation:

A "scion" is an heir to a fortune, a wealthy individual who inherits their money from the family business. A quality of a "scion" is therefore to be "prosperous," which means rich and successful. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with "chores." Well, "chores" are boring, commonplace, mundane, and ordinary, so they can be called "quotidian." Additionally, "pestilent" means deadly, (of a disease) destructive; "ebullient" means excited and enthusiastic; "laconic" means brief; "reverie" is daydream.

Example Question #57 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Prevaricator is to evasive as ______________ is to seraphic.

Possible Answers:

convict

sailor

demon

mountain

angel 

Correct answer:

angel 

Explanation:

A "prevaricator" is someone who frequently lies and tries to talk their way around the truth. A quality of a "prevaricator" is to be "evasive" (seek to conceal the truth through avoiding talking about). So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "seraphic." Well, "seraphic" means beatific, angelic, blissful. So, the correct answer is "angel."

Example Question #52 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Axiom is to __________ as centrist is to moderate.

Possible Answers:

recent

true

unknown

ancient

false

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

A "centrist" is someone who is neither far to the right or far to the left on the political spectrum. So, a quality of a "centrist" is to be "moderate." Which of these is a quality of an "axiom?" Well, an "axiom" is an established or widely accepted truth. So, a quality of an "axiom" is to be "true." 

Example Question #59 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Charity is to __________ as corporation is to competitive.

Possible Answers:

unwavering

philanthropic

fecund

poignant

melodic

Correct answer:

philanthropic

Explanation:

A quality commonly associated with a "corporation" is to be "competitive." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with a "charity." The correct answer is to be "philanthropic," which means charitable. Additionally, "unwavering" means steadfast, not deviating from; "melodic" means pleasant-sounding; "fecund" means abundant, plentiful, existing in large supplies; "poignant" means making one feel keenly sad, happy, or otherwise emotional, 'touching' and 'moving.' 

Example Question #53 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Diaspora is to exiled as __________ is to wealthy.

Possible Answers:

boor

ingress

aperture

mogul

vagabond

Correct answer:

mogul

Explanation:

The term "diaspora" is used to refer to a group of people who exist outside of their historical homeland, but still retain a unique cultural, national, or religious identity. A common quality of a "diaspora" is to be "exiled," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these nouns might be associated with the word "wealthy." The correct answer is "mogul," which means tycoon, a powerful person in business. Additionally, a "boor" is a rude person; "ingress" means entrance; "aperture" means opening, hole; a "vagabond" is a homeless person who wanders from place to place.

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