SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Specific Terminology and Homonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #457 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Currant is to current as gait is to __________.

Possible Answers:

walk

gate

modern

obsolete

style

Correct answer:

gate

Explanation:

A "currant" is a small dried fruit and "current" means modern, belonging to this time period, contemporary. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "gait" (a person's manner of walking). The correct answer is, of course, "gate." Additionally, "obsolete" means outdated, replaced by something newer and better.

Example Question #458 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Fair is to fare as __________ is to hey.

Possible Answers:

price

hello

value

greeting

hay

Correct answer:

hay

Explanation:

"Fair" means equal, balanced and "fare" means how much something costs. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the same as "hey" (a greeting, hello). The correct answer is "hay" (grass, straw).

Example Question #459 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Leak is to leek as manner is to __________.

Possible Answers:

soak

character

manor

polite

vegetable

Correct answer:

manor

Explanation:

A "leek" is a type of vegetable, to "leak" is to allow liquid or gas to get out, to allow something to seep out through a hole. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to determine the best available homonym for "manner" (how someone carries themselves, their behavior and character). The correct answer is "manor," which is a lord's house. Additionally, "soak" means make wet, drench; "polite" means not rude, well-mannered.

Example Question #460 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Loan is to __________ as raise is to raze.

Possible Answers:

destroy

borrow

descend

ascend

lone

Correct answer:

lone

Explanation:

To "raze" means to destroy, to completely tear down, whereas to "raise" means to lift up, to elevate. These two words are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds most like "loan" (give money to, allow to borrow money on the condition that the person pays you back). The correct answer is "lone," which means solitary, alone, not with others. Additionally, "ascend" means go up, rise and "descend" means go down, fall.

Example Question #461 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Lessen is to __________ as please is to pleas.

Possible Answers:

diminish

plead

alter

lesson

enhance

Correct answer:

lesson

Explanation:

"Please" and "pleas" are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds the most like "lessen." The correct answer is "lesson." To help you further, "lessen" means reduce the impact of, diminish, make smaller, make less; "plea" means appeal, request in a dramatic fashion, ask something in a desperate way. Additionally, "enhance" means add to and make better or larger; "alter" means adjust, change; "diminish" means make smaller; "plead" means beg, urge, ask for desperately.

Example Question #462 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Sole is to soul as thyme is to __________.

Possible Answers:

herb

time

foot

sage

spirit

Correct answer:

time

Explanation:

"Soul" means the spiritual part of a human's identity and "sole" means the bottom of a person's foot. These two words are "homonyms" because they have different meanings, yet sound the same. So, which of these answer choices sounds the same as "thyme" (a herb used to flavor cooking)? The correct answer is "time." Additionally, "sage" is another herb used in cooking, however it also means wise when used as an adjective.

Example Question #463 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Peace is to piece as __________ is to rows.

Possible Answers:

boat

rose

flower

oar

fall

Correct answer:

rose

Explanation:

"Peace" and "piece" are two words that are spelled differently and yet sound the same. We call these kinds of words "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sounds like "rows." The correct answer is "rose."

Example Question #464 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Straight is to strait as tense is to __________.

Possible Answers:

curved

ships

camping

relaxed

tents

Correct answer:

tents

Explanation:

"Straight" and "strait" are two words that sound the same, but have different meanings. They are "homonyms," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words sound the same as "tense." The correct answer is "tents." Additionally, "tense" means not relaxed, stressful; "curved" means bent, not straight; "relaxed" means calm, not stressed.

Example Question #465 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to horse as tail is to tale.

Possible Answers:

Cart

Stable

Story

Farm

Hoarse

Correct answer:

Hoarse

Explanation:

"Tail" and "tale" are two words that sound the same, yet have different meanings. They are homonyms. So, which of these words sounds the same as "horse?" The correct answer is "hoarse," which means (of a voice) harsh and rough sounding.

Example Question #466 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Principal is to principle as tea is to __________.

Possible Answers:

first

drink

teacher

coffee

tee

Correct answer:

tee

Explanation:

A "principal" is someone in-charge of managing a school, the head of a school. And, "principle" means coming first, of the most importance, primary. These two words sound the same, but have different meanings, they are "homonyms." The correct answer is therefore "tee," because this word sounds the same as "tea."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors