SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #481 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to weak as absent is to present.

Possible Answers:

Latent

Laden

Toxic

Brittle

Potent

Correct answer:

Potent

Explanation:

"Absent" and "present" are antonyms of one another. An "antonym" is a word that has the opposite meaning to another word. Easy examples of antonyms include "Good and bad" and "black and white." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "weak." The correct answer is "potent" which means powerful, strong, having a forceful effect. Additionally, "toxic" means poisonous; "brittle" means easily broken; "laden" means burdened by, weighed down with; "latent" means potential, not yet active but with the potential to be active.

Example Question #482 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to certain as frantic is to calm.

Possible Answers:

Quirky

Tenuous

Destitute

Arcane

Gleaming

Correct answer:

Tenuous

Explanation:

The adjective "frantic" means hurried, rushed, wild with panic, stressed with lack of time. This is an antonym of "calm" because they have opposite meanings. Which of these answer choices has the opposite meaning to "certain"? The correct answer is "tenuous" which means uncertain, unstable, vulnerable. Additionally, "destitute" means completely poor and without possessions; "quirky" generally means weird, but in a positive/attractive way; "gleaming" means shining; "arcane" means (of knowledge) privileged and ancient, known by only a few people.

Example Question #483 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Putrid is to fresh as haughty is to __________.

Possible Answers:

arduous

aghast

humble

salient

fruitful

Correct answer:

humble

Explanation:

"Putrid" means rotting, not fresh. "Putrid" and "fresh" are antonyms because they have opposite meanings, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices has the opposite meaning to "haughty." "Haughty" means arrogant, prideful. brash, so the best possible antonym is "humble" which means exhibiting a modest view of oneself, not being arrogant or thinking too highly of oneself.

Example Question #484 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Haggard is to __________ as juvenile is to mature.

Possible Answers:

facile

reluctant

energetic

incidental

adequate

Correct answer:

energetic

Explanation:

"Juvenile" means immature, childish. It is an antonym of "mature," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is an antonym of "haggard." Well, "haggard" means showing the physical signs of exhaustion, looking very tired. So, the best available antonym is "energetic." Additionally, "facile" means easy; "adequate" means good enough; "reluctant" means unwilling, not wanting to do something; "incidental" means minor, not serious.

Example Question #485 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Cushy is to __________ as feckless is to responsible.

Possible Answers:

obnoxious

complicit

fulsome

arduous

toxic

Correct answer:

arduous

Explanation:

"Feckless" means unreliable, irresponsible, useless. It is an antonym of "responsible." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "cushy." Well, "cushy" is used to refer to a job or task that is easy to accomplish. This is an antonym of "arduous" which means extremely difficult and requiring much hard work. Additionally, "obnoxious" means rude and arrogant; "toxic" means poisonous; "complicit" means guilty due to being involved in the illegal actions of others; "fulsome" means excessively complimentary, flattering.

Example Question #486 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Jumble is to organize as __________ is to yell.

Possible Answers:

ignore

converse

scream

murmur

allow

Correct answer:

murmur

Explanation:

"Jumble" means to disorganize something, to put something out of order, to make a mess. It is therefore an antonym of "organize" because these words have opposite meanings. Which of these words is an antonym of "yell?" The correct answer is "murmur," which means whisper, talk quietly. Additionally, "converse" means talk with someone.

Example Question #487 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Impotent is to powerful as lean is to __________.

Possible Answers:

stout

mediocre

sullen

adequate

lustrous

Correct answer:

stout

Explanation:

"Impotent" means powerless, and is therefore an antonym of "powerful." So, which of these words has the opposite meaning to "lean?" Well, "lean" means slender, skinny, not fat. So, the correct answer is "stout." Additionally, "lustrous" means shining, gleaming; "adequate" means good enough; "sullen" means bad-tempered and miserable, gloomy and depressed; "mediocre" means average in a bad way.

Example Question #488 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Fitting is to inappropriate as __________ is to lenient.

Possible Answers:

senile

dynamic

loquacious

intolerant

aloof

Correct answer:

intolerant

Explanation:

"Fitting" means suitable, appropriate, right for the circumstances. It is therefore an antonym of "inappropriate" because these two words have opposite definitions. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite definition to "lenient." Well, "lenient" means tolerant, not strict. So, the correct answer is "intolerant." Additionally, "aloof" means distant, reserved, not interacting with others; "dynamic" means forceful, energetic; "loquacious" means talkative, chatty.

Example Question #489 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Humid is to __________ as murky is to bright.

Possible Answers:

dry

wet

hot

cloudy

sunny

Correct answer:

dry

Explanation:

"Murky" means dark, gloomy, not allowing much light. This is an antonym of "bright." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "humid." Well, "humid" means (of air) markedly filled with water vapor. So, the correct answer is "dry."

Example Question #491 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Ineffectual is to successful as innocuous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

absent

malignant

benevolent

benign

awesome

Correct answer:

malignant

Explanation:

"Ineffectual" means not having the desired effect, unsuccessful. It is therefore an antonym of "successful." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "innocuous." Well, "innocuous" means harmless, not hurtful, not serious. This is opposite in meaning to "malignant" which means deadly, harmful. Additionally, "benign" means innocuous, not harmful; "benevolent" means good-natured, kind; "absent" means not present; "awesome" means deeply impressive, great.

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