SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #281 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Infatuated is to __________ as oscillate is to fluctuate.

Possible Answers:

imbued 

taciturn 

besotted

adulterated 

exasperated 

Correct answer:

besotted

Explanation:

"Oscillate" and "fluctuate" are synonyms: both words mean to vary or to move back and forth. To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices has the same meaning as "infatuated." "Infatuated" means enamored, in love with, or deeply attracted to. The correct answer is thus "besotted," which means in love with. Additionally, "taciturn" means quiet and saying little; "exasperated" means deeply frustrated with; "imbued" means filled with; and "adulterated" means edited or changed, and made impure as a result

Example Question #282 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Glen is to valley as ____________________ is to undertaker.

Possible Answers:

attorney

assailant

mortician

pedagogue

parishioner

Correct answer:

mortician

Explanation:

"Glen" means narrow valley. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is closest in meaning to "undertaker." Well, an "undertaker" is a funeral direction, someone who prepares bodies to be buried and oversees funeral preparations. This is identical in meaning to "mortician." Additionally, "pedagogue" means teacher; "assailant" means attacker; "attorney" means lawyer; "parishioner" means member of a church parish community

Example Question #283 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Hoary is to trite as nescient is to __________________.

Possible Answers:

attractive

ignorant

loud

abusive

famous

Correct answer:

ignorant

Explanation:

"Hoary" and "trite" are synonyms, both words mean overused and cliched, (of an idea) unoriginal and uninspiring. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "nescient." Well, "nescient" means lacking knowledge, so the correct answer is "ignorant."

Example Question #284 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Aflutter is to __________ as base is to ignoble.

Possible Answers:

content

miserable

nervous

happy

rowdy

Correct answer:

nervous

Explanation:

"Base" and "ignoble" are synonyms, both words mean not honorable, having no moral purpose, devoid of virtue. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "aflutter." Well, "aflutter" means caused to feel anxious, excited, or "nervous." Additionally, "rowdy" means boisterous, noisy and badly-behaved; "content" means satisfied, happy with things the way they are.

Example Question #285 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Denude is to strip as __________ is to estrange.

Possible Answers:

alienate

besmirch

lionize

garble

inundate

Correct answer:

alienate

Explanation:

"Denude" means "strip", remove covering, remove a layer. To solve this analogy you therefore need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "estrange." Well, "estrange" means to make someone feel like a stranger, to cause someone to feel no longer close with. This is very similar in definition to "alienate," to make someone feel alien. Additionally, "inundate" means flood, overwhelm; "besmirch" means dirty, spoil, ruin the innocence or reputation of; "lionize" means praise, make out to be a hero; "garble" means mix-up, jumble

Example Question #286 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Apothecary is to ______________ as exemplar is to model.

Possible Answers:

castle

pharmacy

edifice

market

bank

Correct answer:

pharmacy

Explanation:

An "exemplar" is an example, a "model" of, a symbol of how to behave. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "apothecary." Well, an "apothecary" is a "pharmacy" or a "pharmacist," a place which or person whom dispenses medicine. Although it is worth noting that "apothecary" is a somewhat antiquated term. Additionally, an "edifice" is a building

Example Question #287 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Captious is to critical as _______________ is to harsh.

Possible Answers:

celestial

prostrate

ribald

draconian

resilient

Correct answer:

draconian

Explanation:

"Captious" means (of a person) likely to find fault with things, highly "critical." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "harsh." The correct answer is "draconian," which means (of rules or punishment) overly strict and "harsh." Additionally, "celestial" means divine, heavenly; "prostrate" means lying flat; "ribald" means vulgar, rude and offensive; "resilient" means able to bounce back from setbacks

Example Question #288 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Dowager is to ______________ as faculty is to aptitude.

Possible Answers:

professor

king

young

widow

old

Correct answer:

widow

Explanation:

"Faculty" and "aptitude" are synonyms, both words refer to someone's level of ability or skill. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "dowager." Well, a "dowager" is an aristocratic woman who retains her title after her husband has died. So, a "dowager" is a "widow."

Example Question #289 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Impound is to confiscate as ponder is to _________________.

Possible Answers:

prattle

mull

embezzle

maul

meander

Correct answer:

mull

Explanation:

"Impound" and "confiscate" are synonyms, both words mean to take something away because it is in violation of the rules. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "ponder." Well, "ponder" means to think deeply and carefully about. So, the correct answer is "mull." Additionally, "embezzle" means steal money from a place where you work or are trusted; "maul" means attack and cause harm to, wound; "meander" means to walk or move indirectly or slowly; "prattle" means talk foolishly.

Example Question #290 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Forerunner is to harbinger as ________________ is to fortitude.

Possible Answers:

cowardice

ingress

mettle

specter

knight

Correct answer:

mettle

Explanation:

"Forerunner" and "harbinger" are synonyms, both words mean something that comes before something else and suggests the approach of something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "fortitude." Well, "fortitude" is resilience and courage, strength to carry on in difficult circumstances. This is identical in meaning to "mettle." Additionally, "ingress" means entrance; "specter" means ghost, phantom; "cowardice" is the absence of bravery.

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