All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #380 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Fruitless is to successful as __________ is to forgiving.
opulent
reckless
flippant
vindictive
tenacious
vindictive
"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.
Example Question #501 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Gallant is to __________ as lukewarm is to scorching.
reclusive
craven
chronic
tactful
fervent
craven
"Lukewarm" means tepid, (of liquid) neither hot nor cold. And, "scorching" means very hot, blistering, burning. These two words are antonyms because they have opposite meanings. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "gallant" (brave, heroic). The correct answer is "craven" which means cowardly, pathetic, not heroic. Additionally, "fervent" means overly passionate; "chronic" means (of pain) constant; "tactful" means polite, knowing what one should and should not say; "reclusive" means prone to avoiding the company of others.
Example Question #502 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Idle is to active as polite is to __________.
destitute
lewd
abject
bashful
inert
lewd
"Idle" means not "active," lazy. So, "idle" and "active" are antonyms. To solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words has the opposite meaning to "polite." The correct answer is "lewd," which means rude, inappropriate, crude and offensive. Additionally, "bashful" means shy and easily embarrassed; "destitute" means completely penniless, having no possessions; "inert" means motionless; "abject" means miserable.
Example Question #503 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Deteriorate is to improve as __________ is to conceal.
corroborate
covet
merit
flaunt
dither
flaunt
To "deteriorate" means (of a condition) to worsen, to become worse. "Deteriorate" is therefore an antonym of "improve." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "conceal." Well, "conceal" means to hide, to disguise, to not show to others. So, the correct answer is "flaunt," which means to display obnoxiously, to show off. Additionally, "corroborate" means offer evidence in support of someone else's testimony; "covet" means desire, want what someone else has; "dither" means hesitate, delay in doing something; "merit" means deserve, earn.
Example Question #504 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Rail is to extol as __________ is to disassemble.
array
originate
benefit
indict
cater
array
"Rail" means to launch into a verbal attack against. Whereas, "extol" means to laud, to praise something. These two words are therefore antonyms because they have opposite meanings, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "disassemble." Well, "disassemble" means to take apart, to separate. So, the correct answer is "array," which means to arrange, assemble, put together, line up. Additionally, "benefit" means help, provide an advantage; "indict" means formally accuse of a crime; "originate" means come from; "cater" means satisfy, meet the specific needs of someone.
Example Question #505 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Voluminous is to small as temerity is to __________.
rebelliousness
shyness
avaricious
concern
boldness
shyness
"Voluminous" means very big, so it is an antonym of small. To solve this analogy you have to find the best antonym for temerity. "Temerity" means boldness, so the correct answer is “shyness.” For clarification, "avaricious" means greedy.
Example Question #1 : Changes In Intensity
Complete this analogy.
Happy is to elated as sad is to __________.
cantankerous
miserable
ungrateful
ebullient
parsimonious
miserable
"Elated" means very happy, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of the answer choices means very sad. The correct answer is “miserable.” For clarification, "cantankerous" means grumpy; "parsimonious" means not generous; ebullient means cheerful.
Example Question #2 : Changes In Intensity
Complete this analogy.
Big is to bigger as bad is to __________.
worser
worse
badder
None of these are correct
better
worse
The word “bigger” is used to compare something that is “more big” than another something. We cannot say “more big” because it is incorrect use of language, so we say “bigger.” Likewise, we cannot say “more bad” as that too is incorrect use of English. To solve this analogy you have to determine which word is used to describe something that is “more bad.” The correct answer is “worse.” “Badder” is not a word.
Example Question #3 : Changes In Intensity
Analogies: Complete this analogy.
Breeze is to hurricane as pretty is to __________.
gorgeous
average
happy
ugly
person
gorgeous
The relationship in "breeze is to hurricane" is an increase in degree. A hurricane is made up of much stronger winds than a breeze. The best choice is "gorgeous," as the word means very pretty, showing that same increase in degree. "Ugly" is an antonym of "pretty" and a "person" is someone who might be pretty. The other two choices, "average" and "happy," are completely unrelated to "pretty."
Example Question #4 : Changes In Intensity
Complete this analogy.
Enraged is to angry as __________.
sad is to miserable
ecstatic is to happy
vain is to sleepy
pierce is to spear
waist is to belt
ecstatic is to happy
“Enraged” is an adjective that means “very angry; furious,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that consists of two adjectives describing emotion, with the first one being a more extreme version of the second one. While “sad is to depressed,” “vain is to sleepy,” and “ecstatic is to happy” all consist of two words describing moods or emotions, “sad” is not a more extreme version of “miserable” (“of a person: wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable”), so “sad is to miserable” has its words in the incorrect order compared to the example and thus cannot be the correct answer. “Vain” is an adjective that means “having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth,” not “very sleepy,” so “vain is to sleepy” cannot be the correct answer either. “Ecstatic,” however, is an adjective that means “feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.” Because “ecstatic” means “very happy” just as “enraged” means “very angry,” “ecstatic is to happy” is the correct answer.
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All SSAT Middle Level Verbal Resources
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