SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Analogies

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Specific Terminology And Homonyms

Complete this analogy.

Hare is to rabbit as __________ is to frog.

Possible Answers:

warren

pond

toad

tadpole

amphibian

Correct answer:

toad

Explanation:

"Hares" and "rabbits" are two animals that are extremely similar. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an animal that is extremely similar to a "frog." The correct answer is "toad." Additionally, a "warren" is a rabbit's home; a "tadpole" is a baby frog; an "amphibian" is an animal that can live in water or on land, like a frog or a toad.

Example Question #312 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Kangaroo is to tail as ______________.

Possible Answers:

flamingo is to fur

zebra is to scales

lion is to balderdash

snake is to leg

butterfly is to antennae

Correct answer:

butterfly is to antennae

Explanation:

Since "kangaroos" have "tails" we are looking for an answer choice that includes a body part (e.g., tail) and animal that has that body part (e.g., kangaroo). The only answer choice that fits this criterion is "Butterfly is to antennae" because all butterflies have antennae.

Example Question #313 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Nose is to cat as ________________.

Possible Answers:

nostril is to nose

eyelid is to eye

tree is to bird

dog is to puppy

snout is to pig

Correct answer:

snout is to pig

Explanation:

Since cats have noses, we are looking for an answer choice that includes a body part (e.g., nose) and animal that has that body part (e.g., cat). The only answer choice that fits this criteria is "Snout is to pig" because pigs have snouts!

Example Question #1 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

God is to goddess as actor is to __________.

Possible Answers:

bible

actress

actoress 

acting 

movie 

Correct answer:

actress

Explanation:

A “goddess” is a female god; often in the English language when we take a male form of something and make it female we add the suffix -ess. The same rule can be applied to turn “actor” into “actress.” An “actress” is a female actor. An "actoress" is not a word.

Example Question #2 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Host is to hostess as duke is to __________.

Possible Answers:

heiress

witch

queen

crown

duchess

Correct answer:

duchess

Explanation:

A "host" is a male person who throws a party, and a "hostess" is a female person who throws a party. A "duke" is a title for a male person who may or may not rule a small area of land. So, to solve this analogy, we need to figure out which word has the same meaning as "duke" but is used to describe the same sort of title for a female person. The correct answer is thus "duchess."

Example Question #3 : Gendered Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Nephew is to boy as __________ is to girl.

Possible Answers:

aunt

family

niece

uncle

woman

Correct answer:

niece

Explanation:

A "nephew" is the name given to the son of one's brother or sister. Only "boys" are called "nephews." To solve this analogy you need to determine what name is given to the daughter of one's brother or sister. The correct answer is "niece."

Example Question #331 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Tennis is to racket as hockey is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sport 

goal 

hoop 

stick 

bat 

Correct answer:

stick 

Explanation:

A “racket” is something that you use to play “tennis,” so to solve this analogy, you need to determine which object is something that you use to play “hockey.” The correct answer is a “stick,” as you use a “hockey stick” to play hockey.

Example Question #2 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Active is to running as lazy is to __________

Possible Answers:

napping

dancing

waking

sprinting

racing

Correct answer:

napping

Explanation:

Running is an active thing to do. "Active" means full of energy, not staying still, or moving. So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is often considered a "lazy" thing to do. The correct answer is therefore "napping."

Example Question #3 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

California is to state as Canada is to __________

Possible Answers:

continent

city

country

state

island

Correct answer:

country

Explanation:

California is an example of a state, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of the answer choices describes Canada. Canada is a country," so "country" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Qualities, Features, Abilities, And Other Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Farming is to agriculture as __________ is to architecture.

Possible Answers:

fixing

fishing

buildings

speaking

studying

Correct answer:

buildings

Explanation:

"Agriculture" means related to the study of or practice of farming. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out what "architecture" is related to. The correct answer is that "architecture" is related to the study or practice of designing "buildings."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors