SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #471 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Figurative is to __________ as empirical is to theoretical.

Possible Answers:

literal

ailing

rickety

ambidextrous

vital

Correct answer:

literal

Explanation:

"Empirical" means based on evidence, supported by observations, whereas "theoretical" means based on theory, not empirical. These two words have opposite meanings, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices is the best antonym for "figurative." Well, "figurative" means metaphorical, not meant to be taken literally but meant to be understood as an analogy or representation. This is opposite in meaning to "literal" which means not metaphorical, meant to be understood as it is directly stated. Additionally, "rickety" means shaky, unsteady; "vital" means essential, needed; "ailing" means sick, suffering; "ambidextrous" means equally capable with both hands.

Example Question #472 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Competent is to __________ as spirited is to lifeless.

Possible Answers:

dazzling

youthful

jolly

incapable

hideous

Correct answer:

incapable

Explanation:

"Spirited" means full of life and energy, so it is an antonym of "lifeless." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is the best antonym for "competent." Well, "competent" means able to do something, capable, skilled. So, the best antonym is "incapable," which means not capable, not able to do something. Additionally, "jolly" means cheerful, happy; "youthful" means young; "hideous" means gross, disgusting, deeply unpleasant; "dazzling" means brilliant, shining, sparkling.

Example Question #473 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Priceless is to worthless as __________ is to ordinary.

Possible Answers:

blasé

pristine

blissful

frank

peculiar

Correct answer:

peculiar

Explanation:

"Priceless" means so precious and important to someone that it has no value, of great worth. This is an antonym of "worthless," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words is an antonym of "ordinary." Well, "ordinary" means normal, mundane, not weird, so the best available antonym is "peculiar" which means weird, unusual. Additionally, "frank" means honest to the point of being too honest; "blasé" means indifferent, not caring one way or the other; "pristine" means completely spotless, totally clean and without dirt; "blissful" means deeply happy.

Example Question #474 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Hysteria is to serenity as __________ is to joy.

Possible Answers:

luxury

ecstasy

bliss

wrath

envy

Correct answer:

wrath

Explanation:

"Hysteria" is exaggerated excitement and frenzy. This is an antonym of "serenity" which means a state of peace and calmness. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "joy," which means great happiness. The correct answer is "wrath" which means anger and vengeance. Additionally, "bliss" and "ecstasy" are other synonyms for "joy"; "envy" means jealousy; "luxury" means living in great style and comfort.

Example Question #475 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Lucrative is to unprofitable as monotonous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

serene

guileless

fascinating

credulous

displaced

Correct answer:

fascinating

Explanation:

"Lucrative" means profitable, making a lot of money. It is therefore an antonym of "unprofitable." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is the best available antonym for "monotonous," which means boring, not interesting, dull. The correct answer is therefore "fascinating," which means very interesting. Additionally, "serene" means quiet and peaceful; "displaced" means forced to move, replaced, taken over; "credulous" means easily tricked, gullible, naive, innocent; "guileless" is another synonym for "credulous."

Example Question #476 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Hasten is to __________ as detach is to attach.

Possible Answers:

trade

transcend

adorn

dawdle

acknowledge

Correct answer:

dawdle

Explanation:

To begin with "detach" means take apart, separate and "attach" means join together. These two words are antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is the best available antonym for "hasten." Well, to "hasten" means to do something quickly, to accelerate the pace at which you are doing something. So, the best antonym is "dawdle" which means to do something slowly, to waste time. Additionally, "trade" means exchange; "transcend" means go beyond; "acknowledge" means recognize, notice and accept; "adorn" means embellish, decorate, add decoration or detail to.

Example Question #477 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Clemency is to vengeance as betrayal is to __________.

Possible Answers:

validity

fidelity

mortality

exclusivity

duty

Correct answer:

fidelity

Explanation:

"Clemency" is mercy, forgiveness, a lack of vengeance. It is therefore an antonym of "vengeance," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is an antonym of "betrayal." Well, "betrayal" is the breaking of trust, a violation of trust. So, the correct answer is "fidelity" which means loyalty, faithfulness to a person. Additionally, "exclusivity" refers to how hard something is to access, how exclusive something is; "validity" refers to how much truth there is in a statement; "mortality" means death, the condition of being capable of dying; "duty" is responsibility, things that one has to do.

Example Question #478 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to common as cunning is to guileless.

Possible Answers:

Embellished

Laden

Soaked

Scarce

Sheepish

Correct answer:

Scarce

Explanation:

To begin with "cunning" means crafty and sneaky, tricky, manipulative and "guileless" means not cunning, lacking craftiness, naive and innocent. These two words are antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words has the opposite meaning to "common," which means ordinary, normal, usual, occurring often. The correct answer is "scarce" which means rare, uncommon. Additionally, "soaked" means made very wet; "embellished" means decorated, adorned, with detail added to; "laden" means burdened with, weighed down with; "sheepish" means showing shame or embarrassment, easily embarrassed.

Example Question #479 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Succumb is to resist as __________ is to disorder.

Possible Answers:

compile

surmount

disrupt

convene

retaliate

Correct answer:

compile

Explanation:

To "succumb" means to give in to, to fail to resist. So, "succumb" and "resist" are antonyms and to solve this analogy you need to figure out the correct antonym of "disorder." Well, "disorder" means put things out of order, make things chaotic, making something messy. So, the best antonym is "compile" which means gather, bring, put together, order. Additionally, "convene" means meet up; "disrupt" means interrupt and stop the progress of; "surmount" means overcome, meet a challenge and rise above it; "retaliate" means fight back against.

Example Question #480 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to windward as hindsight is to foresight.

Possible Answers:

Forward 

Epilogue 

Prologue 

Leeward 

Foreword 

Correct answer:

Leeward 

Explanation:

To begin with "foresight" is the ability to perceive of the future, the ability to predict future events. And, "hindsight" is the ability to look back on past events and see them clearly. These words are antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "windward," which means (of a ship) facing the wind. The correct answer is "leeward," which means (of a ship) facing opposite the wind. Additionally, "prologue" and "foreword" are synonyms, both words mean an introduction to a book; an "epilogue" is the final, concluding chapter after the main body of a book

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