SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #380 : Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Fruitless is to successful as __________ is to forgiving.

Possible Answers:

opulent

reckless

flippant

vindictive

tenacious

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.

Example Question #501 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Gallant is to __________ as lukewarm is to scorching.

Possible Answers:

reclusive

craven

chronic

tactful

fervent

Correct answer:

craven

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

destitute

lewd

abject

bashful

inert

Correct answer:

lewd

Explanation:

"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.

Possible Answers:

corroborate

covet

merit

flaunt

dither

Correct answer:

flaunt

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

array

originate

benefit

indict

cater

Correct answer:

array

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

rebelliousness

shyness 

avaricious 

concern 

boldness 

Correct answer:

shyness 

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

cantankerous 

miserable 

ungrateful 

ebullient 

parsimonious 

Correct answer:

miserable 

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

worser 

worse 

badder 

None of these are correct

better 

Correct answer:

worse 

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

gorgeous

average

happy

ugly

person

Correct answer:

gorgeous

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

sad is to miserable

ecstatic is to happy

vain is to sleepy

pierce is to spear

waist is to belt

Correct answer:

ecstatic is to happy

Explanation:

“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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