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 #738 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Nonentity is to inconsequential as sojourn is to __________.

Possible Answers:

contrite

surreptitious

eternal

deferential

temporary

Correct answer:

temporary

Explanation:

A "nonentity" is a person or thing with no noteworthy qualities, something profoundly unimportant. So, a quality of a "nonentity" is to be "inconsequential," which of these is a quality of a "sojourn." Well, a "sojourn" is a brief, "temporary" stay somewhere. Additionally, "deferential" means respectful, willing to allow others to take control; "contrite" means remorseful, feeling sorry for a wrong; "surreptitious" means clandestine, deliberately kept secret so as to avoid censure; "eternal" means lasting forever.

Example Question #739 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Limerick is to __________ as phosphorus is to luminous.

Possible Answers:

bestial

celestial

incumbent

ponderous

humorous

Correct answer:

humorous

Explanation:

"Phosphorous" is a chemical element known for its properties of spontaneous combustion and illumination in the dark. So, a quality of "phosphorous" is to be "luminous," which means emitting light. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "limerick." Well, a "limerick" is a short, five-lined poem that is funny and usually obscene. A quality of a "limerick" is to be "humorous." Additionally, "ponderous" means slow-moving or boring; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done; "celestial" means divine, heavenly; "bestial" means savage, wild.

Example Question #740 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Nanosecond is to brief as __________ is to prosaic.

Possible Answers:

cupboard

poem

textbook

aperture

ditty

Correct answer:

textbook

Explanation:

A "nanosecond" is an incredibly small passage of time. A quality of a "nanosecond" is to be "brief," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these could be described as "prosaic." Well, "prosaic" means having the quality of prose, writing that is not poetic. So, the correct answer is a "textbook." Additionally, an "aperture" is an opening; a "ditty" is a playful song.

Example Question #741 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Devotee is to __________ as curmudgeon is to surly.

Possible Answers:

cautious 

unseemly 

religious 

creative 

ingenuous 

Correct answer:

religious 

Explanation:

A "curmudgeon" is a grumpy old-man, someone who is mean-spirited and not cheerful. So, a quality of a "curmudgeon" is to be "surly" (bad-tempered, irritable). Which of these is a quality of a "devotee?" Well, a "devotee" is someone who is committed to an institution or idea, usually a "religious" institution or idea. So, a quality of a "devotee" is to be "religious." 

Example Question #742 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Philanderer is to licentious as shark is to __________.

Possible Answers:

celibate

predatory

quiescent

homely

equitable

Correct answer:

predatory

Explanation:

A "philanderer" is a man who has many illicit sexual affairs with various women. So, a quality of a "philanderer" is to be "licentious," which means dissolute, promiscuous, depraved, prone to having many sexual encounters. To solve this analogy then you need to determine which of these is a quality associated with a "shark." The correct answer is to be "predatory," which means of a hunting nature. Additionally, "celibate" means abstinent, to be abstaining from sexual encounters; "equitable" means fair, honest, unbiased; "homely" means plain in appearance, unattractive; "quiescent" means at rest, inactive

Example Question #743 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Plutocrat is to moneyed as optimist is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

sanguine

obfuscating

craven

pusillanimous

extenuating

Correct answer:

sanguine

Explanation:

A "plutocrat" is a wealthy person who holds power within society. A quality of a "plutocrat" is to be "moneyed" (wealthy, affluent, rich). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of an "optimist." Well, an "optimist" is someone who believes the best case scenario is likely to happen, someone who feels good about the future. A quality of an "optimist" is to be "sanguine," which means positive, optimistic even in the face of stress or calamity. Additionally, "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "craven" means cowardly, pathetic, and wicked; "extenuating" means (of circumstances) excusable; "obfuscating" means confusing.

Example Question #702 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Rhapsody is to __________ as serpent is to sibilant.

Possible Answers:

emotional

firm

forgotten

modern

quiet

Correct answer:

emotional

Explanation:

A "serpent" is a snake. One quality of a "serpent" is to be "sibilant," which means to speak with a hissing sound, to have the qualities of a snake. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of a "rhapsody." Well, a "rhapsody" is a highly passionate, poetic, or "emotional" phrase or expression.

Example Question #744 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Stoic is to placid as eyesore is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pernicious 

supercilious 

circumspect 

abstruse 

unattractive

Correct answer:

unattractive

Explanation:

A "stoic" is a person who can endure difficulty, boredom, or suffering without complaint. A quality of a "stoic" is to be "placid," which means even-tempered, not easily disturbed or angered. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of an "eyesore." Well, an "eyesore" is something that is unattractive to look at, a building or feature of the land that is unattractive. So, a quality of an "eyesore" is to be "unattractive," which means ugly and offensive. Additionally, "abstruse" means (of knowledge) hard to understand and known by a privileged few, esoteric; "circumspect" means thoughtful; "supercilious" means arrogant, disdainful, acting as if you are better than other people; "pernicious" means harmful, having a negative impact over time

Example Question #745 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Killjoy is to complain as Sabbath is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fair 

quaint 

docile 

holy

irate 

Correct answer:

holy

Explanation:

A "killjoy" is someone who is always negative and says things that take away from the fun of others. A quality of a "killjoy" is to "complain," which means express discontent with, worry about. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a quality of the "Sabbath." Well, the "Sabbath" is a day reserved for religious observance. So, the correct answer is "holy." Additionally, "irate" means very angry, furious; "docile" means tame, easily controlled, obedient; "quaint" means cute and attractive in an old-fashioned way

Example Question #1 : Abilities

Complete this analogy.

Walk is to ambulatory as __________.

Possible Answers:

protect is to defensible

fingernail is to finger

arrange is to scatter

feel is to sentient

see is to blind

Correct answer:

feel is to sentient

Explanation:

"Ambulatory" is an adjective that means either having to do with walking or physically able to walk. So, someone or something who is ambulatory is able to walk, and we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is an adjective that means one is able to do what the first word describes. While "protect is to defensible" might look like a potentially correct answer, something that can protect is not necessarily itself defensible (able to be defended). So, "protect is to defensible" cannot be the correct answer. "Feel is to sentient" is the best answer choice because just as someone or something ambulatory is able to walk, something that is sentient is able to feel, as "sentient" means able to feel things.

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