SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Plethora is to abundance as scarcity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Glut 

Surplus 

Excess

Surfeit 

Dearth 

Correct answer:

Dearth 

Explanation:

Plethora and abundance are synonyms that both describe the quality of having enough, or too much, of something. Scarcity is an antonym of plethora and describes the quality of not having enough of something or the rarity of something. To solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for scarcity. The correct answer is “dearth,” which means lack. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all synonyms of plethora and abundance.

Example Question #152 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Accommodating is to helpful as capricious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Unfair

Impulsive

Critical 

Miserly 

Dismissive 

Correct answer:

Impulsive

Explanation:

Accommodating is a synonym for helpful, so to solve this analogy you have to determine the best available synonym for capricious. Capricious means unpredictable and impulsive. For clarification, impulsive is defined as acting on a whim; miserly means not generous with money.

Example Question #153 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Zealous is to joyous as mottled is to __________.

Possible Answers:

spotted

sad

kind

hidden

confused

Correct answer:

spotted

Explanation:

The best choice is "spotted." The relationship between "zealous" and "joyous" is that they are synonyms. Therefore, we need to look for a synonym of the word "mottled," which means spotted. "Spotted" is the best answer as it is part of the definition of the word "mottled."

Example Question #154 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Strike is to buffet as scold is to __________.

Possible Answers:

censure

warn

apologize

carry

relay

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

The best choice is "censure." The relationship between "strike" and "buffet" is that they are synonyms. "Buffet" means to strike harshly and repeatedly. In this sense, it is also possible to say that "buffet" is an increased degree of the word "strike." The only word that fits properly is "censure" as it means to disapprove harshly when used as a verb or criticism when it is used as a noun, and the meaning of "scold" is to criticize angrily.

Example Question #155 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Trite is to unoriginal as __________.

Possible Answers:

nebulous is to clear

wanton is to carefree

bag is to carry

heavy is to ethereal

tacit is to unclear

Correct answer:

wanton is to carefree

Explanation:

The best choice is "wanton is to carefree." The relationship between "trite" and "unoriginal" is that they are synonyms. "Trite" means unoriginal. Likewise, the word "wanton" means carefree. Considering the other options, the relationship in "bag is to carry" is noun and an action you do with it. The remaining choices are all antonyms.

Example Question #156 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Scurry is to hasten as __________.

Possible Answers:

dig is to excavate

glass is to mosaic

embark is to return

slow is to quick

very is to barely

Correct answer:

dig is to excavate

Explanation:

"Scurry" and "hasten" are both verbs, and synonyms, as both mean move hurriedly. So, we need to pick out another pair of words which are synonyms. Since "excavate" means to remove the earth around something in the ground, often in order to dig something up, "excavate" is a synonym of "dig." Since "excavate" is a synonym of "dig" just as "scurry" is a synonym of "hasten," "dig is to excavate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #157 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Cautious is to chary as fleeting is to __________.

Possible Answers:

permanent 

ephemeral 

lasting 

intelligent 

fixated 

Correct answer:

ephemeral 

Explanation:

"Cautious" and "chary" are both synonyms that mean careful and concerned. To solve this analogy, you must identify the best available synonym for "fleeting," which means not lasting or short-lived. The correct answer is “ephemeral,” which means short-lived.

Example Question #158 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Cajole is to wheedle as __________.

Possible Answers:

obtain is to misplace

armor is to shield

transpire is to occur

flatter is to intrigue

sit is to stand

Correct answer:

transpire is to occur

Explanation:

"Cajole" and "wheedle" are both verbs meaning flatter someone in order to persuade them of something or get them to do something. the two terms are synonyms, and we need to pick out an answer choice that includes a pair of synonyms. While "flatter is to intrigue" may look like a potentially correct answer choice because the meaning of "flatter" is similar to those of "cajole" and "wheedle," "flatter" does not mean the same thing as "intrigue," so "flatter is to intrigue" cannot be the correct answer; however, "transpire" and "occur" are synonymous; both mean happen. So, "transpire is to occur" is the correct answer.

Example Question #159 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Destroy is to eradicate as __________.

Possible Answers:

silverware is to table

male is to man

regard is to glasses

leap is to train

incontinent is to unrestrained

Correct answer:

incontinent is to unrestrained

Explanation:

"Destroy" is a synonym of "eradicate," and "incontinent" is a synonym of "unrestrained," so "incontinent is to unrestrained" is the correct answer.

Example Question #160 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Poignant is to affecting as timely is to _________.

Possible Answers:

thoughtful

studious

apt 

thought-provoking 

lonely 

Correct answer:

apt 

Explanation:

"Poignant" and "affecting" are synonyms that both mean emotionally moving. To solve this analogy, you must find the best available synonym for "timely." "Apt" is thus the correct answer, as both "timely" and "apt" mean appropriate and suitable for a given context.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors