Container and Contents Analogies
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SSAT Middle Level: Verbal › Container and Contents Analogies
Aquarium is to fish as birdcage is to
singing
canaries
feathers
metal bars
Explanation
An aquarium is designed to contain fish, just as a birdcage is designed to contain canaries (or birds in general). This shows the container-contents relationship. Feathers (A) are parts of birds, singing (C) is what birds do, and metal bars (D) are components of cages.
Bookshelf is to novels as medicine cabinet is to
bathroom location
health concerns
pills
mirror surface
Explanation
A bookshelf holds novels, just as a medicine cabinet holds pills (and other medications). This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Bathroom location (A) describes where cabinets are placed, mirror surface (C) is a component feature, and health concerns (D) are reasons for use.
Envelope is to letter as bottle is to
water
glass material
drinking
round shape
Explanation
An envelope contains a letter, just as a bottle contains water. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Glass material (A) describes what bottles are made of, drinking (C) is an action, and round shape (D) describes bottle appearance.
Basket is to fruit as locker is to
locks
hallways
doors
belongings
Explanation
A basket holds fruit, just as a locker holds belongings. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Locks (A) are security mechanisms, hallways (C) are locations where lockers are found, and doors (D) are structural components.
Coffin is to remains as terrarium is to
plants
miniature environments
glass containers
viewing purposes
Explanation
A coffin contains remains, just as a terrarium contains plants. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Glass containers (A) describe construction material, viewing purposes (C) describe the intended use, and miniature environments (D) describe what terrariums create rather than what they contain.
Library is to books as garage is to
shelves
parking
reading
cars
Explanation
A library is a container that holds books, just as a garage is a container that holds cars. The relationship is container to contents. Reading (B) is an activity, shelves (C) are parts of a library, and parking (D) is an action, not contents.
Pitcher is to water as piggy bank is to
shape
coins
savings
ceramic
Explanation
A pitcher contains water, just as a piggy bank contains coins. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Savings (A) describes the purpose, ceramic (B) describes construction material, and shape (D) describes the typical appearance.
Sandbox is to sand as swimming pool is to
summer recreation
chlorine treatment
water
concrete construction
Explanation
A sandbox contains sand, just as a swimming pool contains water. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Summer recreation (A) describes typical use, chlorine treatment (B) describes water maintenance, and concrete construction (D) describes building material.
Safe is to valuables as greenhouse is to
glass panels
gardening activities
plants
temperature control
Explanation
A safe protects and contains valuables, just as a greenhouse protects and contains plants. This shows the container-to-contents relationship. Glass panels (A) are structural components, temperature control (B) is a function, and gardening activities (D) are related actions.
Refrigerator is to food as closet is to
hanging
clothes
organizing
wooden doors
Explanation
A refrigerator stores and contains food, just as a closet stores and contains clothes. This demonstrates the container-to-contents analogy. Hanging (A) is a method of storage, organizing (B) is an activity, and wooden doors (D) are parts of closets.