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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Cardboard is to box as __________.

Possible Answers:

socks are to nest

wood is to igloo

sheep is to wool

metal is to chain

clay is to pot

Correct answer:

clay is to pot

Explanation:

Since boxes can be made of cardboard, we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word describes a substance of which the second word can be made. Both "clay is to pot" and "metal is to chain" could be correct answers. However, "clay is to pot" is the better answer because a pot, like a box, is a type of container, unlike a chain. So, the correct answer is "clay is to pot."

Example Question #2 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Square is to circle as rectangle is to __________.

Possible Answers:

globe

diamond

oval

sphere

semicircle

Correct answer:

oval

Explanation:

In a "square" and a "circle" the distance from the center to any point on the outside is always the same as the distance from the center to any other point on the outside. A "circle" might be seen as "a round square." So, which of these could be seen as a "round rectangle?" The correct answer is an "oval." An "oval" is a round, elongated shape. Additionally, a "sphere" is a three-dimensional circle, an example of a "sphere" is a "globe."

Example Question #3 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Coven is to ______________ as guild is to tradesmen.

Possible Answers:

hikers

animals

witches

scientists

teachers

Correct answer:

witches

Explanation:

A group of "tradesmen" is called a "guild." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these, when taken as a group, is called a "coven." The correct answer is that a "coven" is a group of "witches." 

Example Question #5 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Anthology is to _______________ as encyclopedia is to information.

Possible Answers:

chickens

puzzles

students

stories

fruits

Correct answer:

stories

Explanation:

An "encyclopedia" is a book that contains a collection of "information." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what an "anthology" is a collection of. The correct answer is that an "anthology" is a collection of "stories."

Example Question #7 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Dune is to ______________ as downs is to grass.

Possible Answers:

ice

sand

space

desert

arctic

Correct answer:

sand

Explanation:

"Downs" are small, rolling hills made of "grass." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "dunes" are made of. The correct answer is that a "dune" is made of "sand." "Dunes" are typically found in the "desert."

Example Question #6 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Portfolio is to artwork as troupe is to ______________.

Possible Answers:

ideas 

relatives 

actors

friends 

pilots

Correct answer:

actors

Explanation:

A "portfolio" is a collection of "artwork" produced by an individual. So, if a "portfolio" is a collection of "artwork," what is a "troupe" a collection of? The correct answer is that a "troupe" is a group of entertainers, like "artists" or musicians, who travel and perform together

Example Question #6 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Anvil is to __________ as lumber is to wood.

Possible Answers:

gold

wheat

hammer

diamond

iron

Correct answer:

iron

Explanation:

"Lumber" is timber that has been chopped into planks. It is made from "wood," so to solve this analogy you need to determine what an "anvil" is made from. Well, an "anvil" is made from "iron," it is a type of "hammer" used to shape metal.

Example Question #11 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Phalanx is to soldiers as retinue is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sorcerers

animals

surgeons

advisers

children

Correct answer:

advisers

Explanation:

A "phalanx" is a type of military formation. It is comprised of "soldiers," so to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "retinue" is comprised of. Well, a "retinue" is a group of people with various skills and abilities who give advice to a ruler or other such important person. So, the correct answer is "advisers."

Example Question #491 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Speedometer is to speed as . . .

Possible Answers:

binoculars are to sight

ice is to iceberg

echolocation is to bat

odometer is to distance

smell is to nose

Correct answer:

odometer is to distance

Explanation:

Since a speedometer measures speed, we're looking for an answer choice in which the first word measures what the second word represents. While "binoculars are to sight" might seem like a good answer, because binoculars are a device that enhance your sight, it doesn't represent the "measuring device is to measured quantity" relationship that we're looking for.  "Odometer is to distance," however, does represent that relationship, as an odometer measures distance, so "odometer is to distance" is the right answer.

Example Question #492 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Clock is to time as __________.

Possible Answers:

meter is to yard

degree is to temperature

length is to ruler

odometer is to distance

volume is to gram

Correct answer:

odometer is to distance

Explanation:

The best choice is "odometer is to distance." The relationship between "clock" and "time" is that a clock measures time. Likewise, an odometer is a device in a car which measures distance traveled. Considering the other options, "length is to ruler" is the only other choice with the correct relationship, but it is not in the right order as it is worded what is being measured to measuring device instead of measuring device to what is being measured as it is in the question. "Meter is to yard" is incorrect because a meter and a yard are both two different units that measure length. "Degree is to temperature" is incorrect because a degree is a unit of measurement for temperature (not a device that measures temperature) and temperature is the thing being measured. "Volume is to gram" cannot be correct as volume is what is being measured while a gram is a unit of measurement (albeit the incorrect one for volume).

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