SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #608 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Friar is to religious as maverick is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

blithe

ignorant

cagey

unorthodox

wizened

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 #609 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Laceration is to painful as pedant is to _______________.

Possible Answers:

fastidious

restless

limpid

nominal

posthumous

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 #611 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Chores is to __________ as scion is to prosperous.

Possible Answers:

ebullient

reverie

pestilent

quotidian

laconic

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 #612 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Prevaricator is to evasive as ______________ is to seraphic.

Possible Answers:

sailor

mountain

demon

convict

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 #613 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Axiom is to __________ as centrist is to moderate.

Possible Answers:

unknown

recent

true

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 #613 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Charity is to __________ as corporation is to competitive.

Possible Answers:

poignant

fecund

philanthropic

melodic

unwavering

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 #614 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Diaspora is to exiled as __________ is to wealthy.

Possible Answers:

aperture

boor

ingress

vagabond

mogul

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.

Example Question #615 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Nonentity is to inconsequential as sojourn is to __________.

Possible Answers:

eternal

deferential

contrite

temporary

surreptitious

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 #616 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Limerick is to __________ as phosphorus is to luminous.

Possible Answers:

humorous

celestial

ponderous

incumbent

bestial

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 #617 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Nanosecond is to brief as __________ is to prosaic.

Possible Answers:

ditty

cupboard

aperture

poem

textbook

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.

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