SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #451 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Honest is to deceptive as humble is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

typical

mumble

arrogant

brave

oblique

Correct answer:

arrogant

Explanation:

If someone is “deceptive," they are dishonest, so "deceptive" and "honest" are antonyms because they have opposite meanings. The opposite of “humble,” which means not proud, is “arrogant,” which means proud and feeling superior. To clarify the other terms, “oblique” means not direct or not straightforward; “typical” means commonplace; “mumble” means to talk quietly or unclearly.

Example Question #452 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Colossal is to minuscule as __________.

Possible Answers:

flower is to stem

fragrance is to smell

night is to day

pan is to cook

kindle is to flame

Correct answer:

night is to day

Explanation:

"Colossal" is an adjective that means "very big," and "minuscule" an adjective that means "very small," so the two words are antonyms, or opposites, and we need to pick out another pair of words that are also antonyms. Because "night is to day" is the only answer choice in which the two words are opposites, "night is to day" is the correct answer.

Example Question #453 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Recalcitrant is to obedient as pedantic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

insightful 

boring 

delirious 

interesting 

resourceful 

Correct answer:

interesting 

Explanation:

"Recalcitrant" means unruly and disobedient, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available antonym for "pedantic." "Pedantic" means boring in paying too much attention to unimportant details, so the best antonym is "interesting." For clarification, someone who is "insightful" is discerning, someone who is "resourceful" is capable, and "delirious" means crazy or feverish.

Example Question #454 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Congenial is to disagreeable as debilitating is to __________.

Possible Answers:

strengthening 

underwhelming 

weakening 

impressive 

diabolical 

Correct answer:

strengthening 

Explanation:

"Congenial" means agreeable, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine the best available antonym of "debilitating." "Debilitating" means greatly weakening, so the best antonym is “strengthening.” For clarification, "diabolical" means evil

Example Question #455 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Prone is to standing as __________.

Possible Answers:

toast is to bread

likely is to probable

seedling is to tree

chicken is to egg

up is to down

Correct answer:

up is to down

Explanation:

Since one meaning of "prone" is "lying flat, especially face downward," the first pair of words is a pair of antonyms, since "lying flat" and "standing" are opposites. We need to pick out another pair of words that form a pair of opposites. Since "up is to down" is the only answer choice that consists of a pair of opposites, it is the correct answer.

Example Question #456 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Paltry is to significant as harangue is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Permit 

Detrimental 

Praise 

Pompous 

Notorious 

Correct answer:

Praise 

Explanation:

"Paltry" means insignificant or very small. To solve this analogy, you have to determine the best antonym of "harangue." "Harangue" means rebuke or scold, so “praise" is the best antonym and the correct answer. For clarification, "detrimental" means harmful, "notorious" means infamous, "pompous" means arrogant and pretentious, and "permit" means allow.

Example Question #457 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Graceful is to clumsy as irredeemable is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

Determined 

Itinerant 

Curable 

Outlawed 

Radical 

Correct answer:

Curable 

Explanation:

"Graceful" means possessing good balance or elegant, and "clumsy" means not having good balance or uncoordinated. To solve this analogy, you have to identify the best available antonym of "irredeemable." "Irredeemable" means not able to be saved or forgiven, and as such, the word that is its best antonym is “curable.” For clarification, "outlawed" means banned, "itinerant" means wandering or without a home, "radical" means total or revolutionary, and "determined" means strong-willed or resolute.

Example Question #458 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Dawn is to dusk prologue is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

synopsis

index

epilogue

glossary

rewind

Correct answer:

epilogue

Explanation:

“Dawn” is means sunrise and “dusk” means sunset, so they are opposites. The opposite of a “prologue” is an “epilogue.” A “prologue” is an introduction to a piece of literature and an “epilogue” is a conclusion. To clarify, a “glossary” is where you find explanations to terms within a book; an “index” is where you can search for terms or items which occur in a book; a “synopsis” is the short description found on the back cover of a book and is often called a "blurb."

Example Question #459 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Product is to knockoff as innovator is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mentor

copycat

predecessor

fan

rival

Correct answer:

copycat

Explanation:

“Knockoff” is a noun that means a less-expensive imitation of a specific product, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes someone who is an imitator of an innovator. While both “fan” and “copycat” might look like potentially correct answers, “fan” in this context means admirer or devotee, and makes no mention of the fan copying the person they admire, whereas “copycat,” when used as a noun, means a person who copies something, especially someone else's mannerisms. So, because a copycat imitates an innovator just as a knockoff is an imitation of a product, “copycat” is the correct answer.

Example Question #460 : Analogies

Plain is to decorated as stark is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pretty

ornate

luxurious

opulent

delicate

Correct answer:

ornate

Explanation:

“Plain” is an adjective that means not decorated or elaborate, so the words are antonyms. “Stark” is an adjective that means bare or without decoration, so we’re looking for the word that has the closest meaning to “decorated.” While things that are “decorated” may also be “pretty” or “delicate,” the words aren’t close synonyms. The same applies to “luxurious” and “opulent.” “Ornate” is an adjective that means elaborately decorated.

Of the answer choices, “ornate” is the best choice.

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