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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Edible is to food as legible is to __________.

Possible Answers:

speech

write

pencil

text

newsprint

Correct answer:

text

Explanation:

Edible means able to be consumed as food, and food is what is eaten. We're looking to recreate this same relationship between "legible," which means able to be read, and another word. We know that word will be a noun, since it needs to represent what is read, and "food" is a noun. So, we can ignore "write," a verb. While "newsprint" seems like a good choice, it is the material upon which words are printed, and is not itself read, so it's not the best answer. Considering the remaining nouns, "text" is the best answer choice as text is the thing that is read, just as food is the thing that is eaten.

Example Question #627 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Stomach is to digestion as lung is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cognition

childbirth

respiration

nutrition

locomotion

Correct answer:

respiration

Explanation:

The stomach is a bodily organ that engages in digestion, and the lung is an organ that engages in respiration.

Example Question #628 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Blindness is to sight as mute is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ear

mouth

hearing

waves

speaking

Correct answer:

speaking

Explanation:

"Blindness" is the lack of ability to see, thus this analogy is merely looking for that which is lacking to one who is mute. Used as a noun, a “mute” is a person who is unable to speak. Even if used as an adjective, “mute” can describe someone who is not speaking at a given time: “He remained mute, refusing to speak a word while his ‘friend’ screamed at him.” The mute setting on a television is so called because it stifles the sound.

Example Question #629 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Deaf is to hear as illiterate is to __________

Possible Answers:

draw

sing

read

books

eyes

Correct answer:

read

Explanation:

Since someone who is "deaf" is unable to hear, we need to pick out a word that describes what someone who is "illiterate" is unable to do. Since "illiterate" means unable to read or write due to not knowing how, "read" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #630 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to short as elongate is to long.

Possible Answers:

Burgeon

Imbibe

Galvanize

Consume

Abbreviate

Correct answer:

Abbreviate

Explanation:

The verb "elongate" means to make longer, so which of these answer choices means to make smaller? The correct answer is "abbreviate." Additionally, "consume" means use completely, eat; "imbibe" means drink; "galvanize" means motivate, inspire to action; "burgeon" means blossom, grow, flourish.

Example Question #631 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Bittersweet is to oxymoron as ______________ is to palindrome.

Possible Answers:

stairway

engine

radar

suitcase

clock

Correct answer:

radar

Explanation:

An "oxymoron" is a phrase or word which contains apparently contradictory language. So, "bittersweet" is an "oxymoron" because it contains "bitter" and "sweet" which are two words that mean roughly the opposite of one another. Another example of an "oxymoron" is "open secret" or "sweet sorrow." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a "palindrome." Well, a "palindrome" is a word that reads the same backwards as forwards. So, an example of a "palindrome" is "noon" or "eye." The correct answer is therefore "radar." 

Example Question #632 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Polymath is to knowledge as yahoo is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

ignorance

cruelty 

compassion 

majesty

temerity

Correct answer:

ignorance

Explanation:

A "polymath" is someone who understands many things and has a wide-ranging "knowledge." So, if a "polymath" has lots of "knowledge," what does a "yahoo" have a lot of? Well, a "yahoo" is a poorly-educated person, who is rude and "ignorant." Additionally, "compassion" is kindness and generosity, particularly when directed at those who have less than you; "temerity" is audacity, nerve, arrogance and 'cheek'; "majesty" is splendor, dignity, stateliness.

Example Question #633 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Purveyor is to vend as bacchanalian is to __________.

Possible Answers:

solicit

stymie

admonish

carouse

retrogress

Correct answer:

carouse

Explanation:

A "purveyor" is someone who sells luxury products. Another word for "sell" is "vend." So, if a "purveyor" "vends," what does a "bacchanalian" do? Well, a "bacchanalian" is a merrymaker, someone who is given over to drinking too much and partying. So, the correct answer is "carouse," which means to greatly enjoy getting drunk, imbibe. Additionally, "retrogress" means move backwards; "admonish" means scold, yell at, punish; "stymie" means obstruct, hinder, prevent the progress of; "solicit" means ask for, request, seek help or finance.

Example Question #634 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Morphine is to addictive as _____________ is to coastal.

Possible Answers:

chapel

hospice

hubris

riviera

summit

Correct answer:

riviera

Explanation:

"Morphine" is a type of drug used to alleviate pain. One property of "morphine" is that it is highly "addictive." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "coastal" (next to the ocean). The correct answer is "riviera." A "riviera" is a coastal part of a tropical or warm country. Additionally, a "hospice" is a home where sick or elderly people are cared for; a "summit" is a peak, the top of something like a mountain; "hubris" is excessive pride and arrogance; a "chapel" is a small church

Example Question #1 : Other Analogies

Fire is to arm as rife is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rifle

ram

leg

mare

army

Correct answer:

ram

Explanation:

This is a word game analogy. The second word is an anagram of the first. Fire anagrams to rife and arm anagrams to ram. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors