SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Measurement

Complete this analogy.

Furlong is to __________ as fortnight is to time.

Possible Answers:

shade

height

volume

distance

weight

Correct answer:

distance

Explanation:

A "fortnight" is an old-fashioned unit of measurement (still in common usage in Britain) that means two weeks. It is therefore a measurement of "time." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "furlong" is a measurement of. Well, a "furlong" is a measurement of "distance" equal to one-eighth of a mile. So, the correct answer is "distance."

Example Question #12 : Measurement

Complete this analogy.

Gallon is to __________ as Celsius is to temperature.

Possible Answers:

depth

height

distance

volume

weight

Correct answer:

volume

Explanation:

"Celsius" is a unit of measurement used to measure "temperature." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "gallon" is used to measure. The correct answer is that a "gallon" is a unit of measurement used to measure the "volume" of a liquid.

Example Question #671 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Quart is to liquid as volt is to __________.

Possible Answers:

force

duration

distance

time

temperature

Correct answer:

force

Explanation:

A "quart" is a measurement of "liquid" capacity, equal to two pints or one-quarter of a gallon. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "volt" measures. The correct answer is that a "volt" is a measurement of electrical "force."

Example Question #1 : Storage And Containers

Soda is to cup as __________.

Possible Answers:

friend is to enemy

spy is to sneaky

board game is to box

quiet is to silence

bottle is to salad dressing

Correct answer:

board game is to box

Explanation:

A cup can be used to hold soda, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word describes a substance or object that the second word can be used as a container for. While "bottle is to salad dressing" and "board game is to box" may each look like potentially correct answers, "bottle is to salad dressing" has its nouns in the wrong order; salad dressing is not used to contain bottles, so "bottle is to salad dressing" cannot be the correct answer. "Board game is to box" is the correct answer because just like cups can contain soda, boxes can contain board games.

Example Question #672 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Car is to garage as ship is to __________.

Possible Answers:

vessel 

harbor 

ocean 

water

sail 

Correct answer:

harbor 

Explanation:

A car is kept or stored in a "garage," so to solve this analogy you have to determine where it is that a ship is kept. The correct answer is “harbor.” For clarification, one synonym of harbor that is commonly tested on the SSAT is “port.” This bears remembering.

Example Question #673 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Books are to backpack as water is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ocean

drought

molecule

ice

bucket

Correct answer:

bucket

Explanation:

Since a backpack can hold and transport books, we need to pick out a word that describes something that can hold water. While "ocean" and "bucket" might both look like correct answers, "bucket" is the better answer because while an ocean is full of water, it is not something that transports water. A bucket, however, can hold and transport water, just like a backpack can hold and transport books, so "bucket" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Storage And Containers

Complete this analogy.

Paint is to brush as ink is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pen

paper

draw

write

pencil

Correct answer:

pen

Explanation:

A brush is used as a vehicle for paint, so we need to pick out an answer choice which is an object used as a vehicle for ink. While “pen,” “pencil,” and “paper” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “paper” cannot be the correct answer because it does not carry ink, but is a medium on which one draws or writes with ink. “Pencil” cannot be the correct answer either, because pencils write with lead or graphite, not with ink. Pens, however, are vehicles for ink just like brushes are vehicles for paint, so “pen” is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Storage And Containers

Complete this analogy.

Bookshelf is to books as wallet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

purse

school

cash

bank

library

Correct answer:

cash

Explanation:

A "bookshelf" is a place to put "books." Similarly, a "wallet" is a place to put "cash."

Example Question #6 : Storage And Containers

Complete this analogy.

Hangar is to __________ as granary is to food.

Possible Answers:

prisoners

aircraft

animals

water

money

Correct answer:

aircraft

Explanation:

A "granary" is a place where food, particularly grain, is stored. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices is stored in a "hangar." The correct answer is "aircraft."

Example Question #7 : Storage And Containers

Complete this analogy.

Kennel is to dog as hutch is to __________.

Possible Answers:

human

goldfish

cat

bee

rabbit

Correct answer:

rabbit

Explanation:

A place where a "dog" is kept is usually called a "kennel." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is usually kept in a "hutch." The correct answer is a "rabbit."

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