SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #601 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Hammock is to resting as __________ is to enlarging.

Possible Answers:

barometer

microwave

periscope

thermometer

microscope

Correct answer:

microscope

Explanation:

The purpose of a "hammock" is for "resting." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is used for "enlarging" something. "Enlarging" means to make larger. The correct answer is that a "microscope" is used to "enlarge" something to make it easier to see. Additionally, a "periscope" is used by a submarine to see above the water; a "barometer" is used to measure pressure and a "thermometer" is used to measure temperature.

Example Question #602 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Airlift is to plane as __________ is to truck.

Possible Answers:

replete

haul

repose

perspire

harangue

Correct answer:

haul

Explanation:

When something is transported by "plane" we use the term "airlift." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a verb that is used when transporting something by "truck." The correct answer is "haul." Additionally, "harangue" means criticize, scold; "replete" means filled with; "perspire" means sweat; "repose" means rest, lie down.

Example Question #603 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Abacus is to __________ as beacon is to signal.

Possible Answers:

warn

draw

cook

hear

count

Correct answer:

count

Explanation:

A "beacon" is something, like a lighthouse, used to pass a message or warning. A "beacon" is used to "signal." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you might use an "abacus" for. An "abacus" is an outdated instrument used for counting. The correct answer is therefore "count."

Example Question #604 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Antiseptic is to infection as antiperspirant is to __________.

Possible Answers:

laziness

headaches

pain

sweat

emotion

Correct answer:

sweat

Explanation:

An "antiseptic" is something used to prevent "infection." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "antiperspirant" is used for. The correct answer is that it is used to prevent "sweating."

Example Question #605 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Hypnosis is to sleep as ointment is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sing

heal

smile

hear

work

Correct answer:

heal

Explanation:

"Hypnosis" is a technique used to put someone to "sleep." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action that is helped by "ointment." "Ointment" is cream applied to a wound in order to help with "healing." So, the correct answer is "heal."

Example Question #606 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Lantern is to __________ as padlock is to secure.

Possible Answers:

begrime

illuminate

electricity

masticate

devastate

Correct answer:

illuminate

Explanation:

The purpose of a "padlock" is to keep something safe, to lock something away, to "secure" something. So, to solve this analogy you merely need to determine what the purpose of a "lantern" is. Well, a "lantern" is a light, a torch. So, the correct answer is to "illuminate," which means to light up, to shed light upon. Additionally, "masticate" means chew; "begrime" means blacken, make dirty; "devastate" means completely destroy, ruin.

Example Question #607 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Crank is to turning as __________ is to mooring.

Possible Answers:

hearth

harbor

scowl

tirade

anchor

Correct answer:

anchor

Explanation:

A "crank" is a device used to facilitate the "turning" of something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a device used for "mooring." Well, you first need to know that "mooring" means to fix a boat in place in a harbor so that it cannot be moved by the water. The correct answer is therefore "anchor." Additionally, a "harbor" is where boats are docked; a "tirade" is a long and impassioned verbal attack against someone or something; a "hearth" is a fireplace or a home; a "scowl" is an angry frown.

Example Question #608 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Charcoal is to fuel as detergent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lend

cook

practice

clean

vend

Correct answer:

clean

Explanation:

"Charcoal" is a material used to provide "fuel" or heat energy. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "detergent" is used for. The correct answer is to "clean." Additionally, "vend" means to sell and "lend" means allow to borrow.

Example Question #609 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Pyre is to __________ as scaffolding is to reinforcing.

Possible Answers:

reimbursing

drenching

hoarding

cremating

abstaining

Correct answer:

cremating

Explanation:

"Scaffolding" is some temporary structure erected during construction to help with "reinforcing" the building. So, "scaffolding" is used for "reinforcing," what is a "pyre" used for? The correct answer is that a "pyre," is a pile of flammable material used in a funeral burning. So, it is used for "cremating," (burning a dead body). Additionally, "abstaining" means not participating it, not taking part; "drenching" means soaking, making very wet; "reimbursing" means paying someone back money they are owed; "hoarding" means collecting items or money and hiding them or refusing to use them.

Example Question #610 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Sculptor is to clay as __________.

Possible Answers:

water is to watercolor

melody is to musician

painter is to paint

writer is to typewriter

paint is to canvas

Correct answer:

painter is to paint

Explanation:

Since a sculptor creates works of art out of clay, we need to pick out another set of words in which the first word describes someone who creates art using the second word as their medium. While "painter is to paint" and "writer is to typewriter" may both look like good answers, a typewriter is not a writer's medium, but the tool they use to write. (Words or text would be a writer's medium.) "Painter is to paint" is the correct answer because a painter creates works of art out of paint (and canvas), just like a sculptor creates works of art out of clay.

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