SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #290 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Merge is to divide as __________ is to pacify.

Possible Answers:

soothe

conciliate

calm

enrage

appease

Correct answer:

enrage

Explanation:

"Merge" means to bring or come together. It is therefore an antonym of "divide." Which of these words has the opposite meaning to "pacify." Well, "pacify" means make no longer angry, calm. So, the correct answer is "enrage," which means make angry. Additionally, all the other answer choices are synonyms of "pacify."

Example Question #371 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Moderate is to inordinate as hidebound is to __________.

Possible Answers:

reclusive

reactionary

liberal

conservative

obstinate

Correct answer:

liberal

Explanation:

"Inordinate" means excessive, unreasonably large. It is therefore an antonym of "moderate." So, which of these words has the opposite meaning to "hidebound?" Well, "hidebound" means conservative, stubbornly opposed to change. So, the correct answer is "liberal." Additionally, "reactionary" means so conservative as to be prone to violence; "reclusive" means avoiding the company of others and remaining distant; "obstinate" means stubborn, refusing to change one's mind.

Example Question #372 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Impartial is to __________ as assertive is to meek.

Possible Answers:

noisome

hospitable

voluminous

ambivalent

biased

Correct answer:

biased

Explanation:

"Assertive" means confident, demonstrating confidence in one's own opinions. "Meek" means lacking confidence, shy. These two words are antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answers has the opposite meaning to "impartial." "Impartial" means objective, not biased, fair. The correct answer is therefore "biased," which means predisposed to preferring one thing over another, subjective. Additionally, "hospitable" means welcoming, able to be lived in; "voluminous" means large; "ambivalent" means not feeling strongly one way or another; "noisome" means possessing an unpleasant smell, smelling very badly.

Example Question #373 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Flappable is to __________ as local is to global.

Possible Answers:

preposterous

anxious

bashful

composed

congenial

Correct answer:

composed

Explanation:

"Local" and "global" are antonyms of one another because they have opposite meanings. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is an antonym of "flappable." Well, "flappable" means excitable and unable to control oneself. This is opposite in meaning to "composed" which means calm and under control. Additionally, "anxious" means worried; "preposterous" means absurd; "congenial" means friendly and agreeable; "bashful" means shy and easily embarrassed.

Example Question #374 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Feasible is to impractical as __________ is to ungainly.

Possible Answers:

garrulous

succinct

nimble

wizened

covetous

Correct answer:

nimble

Explanation:

"Feasible" means realistic, likely to be able to be accomplished, practical. It is therefore an antonym of "impractical" (unrealistic, not likely to be able to be accomplished). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "ungainly." Well, "ungainly" means (of movement) clumsy, not graceful. So, the correct answer is "nimble" which means agile, sure-footed, graceful. Additionally, "covetous" means desiring, greedy, envious; "wizened" means wrinkled with age; "succinct" means brief and 'to the point'; "garrulous" means overly talkative.

Example Question #375 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Insubordinate is to compliant as __________ is to intellectual.

Possible Answers:

lowbrow

serene

tumultuous

forlorn

docile

Correct answer:

lowbrow

Explanation:

"Insubordinate" means badly-behaved, refusing to follow orders. Whereas, "compliant" means agreeable, following orders. These two words are therefore antonyms. Which of these answer choices has the opposite meaning to "intellectual?" Well, "intellectual" means intelligent and well-educated. So, the correct answer is "lowbrow," which means (of culture or an inexperience) not intellectual, undemanding, popular. Additionally, "forlorn" means unhappy and hopeless; "docile" means tame and under control, submissive; "serene" means quiet and peaceful; "tumultuous" means chaotic, out of control.

Example Question #376 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Earnest is to insincere as __________ is to indifferent.

Possible Answers:

fond

deranged

brittle

staid

ailing

Correct answer:

fond

Explanation:

"Earnest" means honest, sincere, serious. It is therefore an antonym of "insincere," which means not sincere, dishonest, not being serious. So, to solve this analogy which of these is an antonym of "indifferent?" Well, "indifferent" means apathetic, not really caring about. So, the correct answer is "fond," which means liking and caring about something. Additionally, "staid" means serious and respectable, unadventurous; "ailing" means sick, suffering from; "deranged" means crazy, mentally ill; "brittle" means fragile, not strong, easily broken.

Example Question #377 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Ignominy is to honor as lethargy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rift

pariah

proxy

vigor

etching

Correct answer:

vigor

Explanation:

"Ignominy" means famous for the wrong reasons, dishonor, infamy. It is therefore an antonym of "honor" because these two words have opposite meanings. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "lethargy." Well, "lethargy" refers to a lack of energy, a lack of excitement. So, the correct answer is "vigor," which means strength, health, vitality and energy. Additionally, a "rift" is a break that appears in something; an "etching" is a marking made on something, an engraving; a "pariah" is a social outcast, someone shunned by society; "proxy" means substitute, replacement.

Example Question #378 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Laud is to condemn as unveil is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mar 

mask

respire

donate

unwind

Correct answer:

mask

Explanation:

"Laud" means to praise and "condemn" means to criticize, to express disapproval of. These two words are antonyms of one another because they have opposite meanings. So, which of these words is an antonym of "unveil." Well, "unveil" means reveal, take something which was hidden and make it visible. This is opposite in meaning to "mask" which means conceal, hide, disguise. Additionally, "mar" means spoil, ruin; "donate" means give to charity, give to someone who is in need; "unwind" means relax after doing something difficult; "respire" means breathe

Example Question #379 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fruitless is to successful as __________ is to forgiving.

Possible Answers:

vindictive

tenacious

reckless

flippant

opulent

Correct answer:

vindictive

Explanation:

"Fruitless" means not achieving the desire result, unsuccessful. It is an antonym of "successful," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "forgiving." The correct answer is "vindictive," which means having a strong desire to enact cruel revenge. Additionally, "opulent" means luxurious, lavish, grand, magnificent; "reckless" means acting rashly, doing something without considering the consequences; "flippant" means acting disrespectful; "tenacious" means determined, hard-working.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors