SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Alpine is to __________ as cardiac is to heart.

Possible Answers:

trees

feelings

animals

thoughts

mountains

Correct answer:

mountains

Explanation:

"Cardiac" means of or related to the "heart." So, to solve his analogy you need to determine which of these words means of or related to "mountains." The correct answer is "alpine," which is drawn from the Alps range of mountains in Western Europe.

Example Question #52 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Hawkish is to _______________ as penitent is to forgiveness.

Possible Answers:

toughness

payment

war

loyalty

love

Correct answer:

war

Explanation:

"Penitent" means feeling regretful and contrite and seeking "forgiveness" for something. So, if someone who is "penitent" is seeking "forgiveness," what is someone who is "hawkish" seeking? Well, "hawkish" means bellicose, desiring conflict or "war."

Example Question #53 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Genetics is to heredity as linguistics is to _________________.

Possible Answers:

conservatism

liberalism

language

ethnicity

belief

Correct answer:

language

Explanation:

"Genetics" is the study of "heredity," the study of how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "linguistics" is the study of. The correct answer is "language."

Example Question #53 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Testosterone is to man as __________ is to woman.

Possible Answers:

melanin 

hydrogen 

estrogen 

adrenaline 

dopamine 

Correct answer:

estrogen 

Explanation:

"Testosterone" is a hormone that is primarily found in "men." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a hormone primarily found in "women." The correct answer is "estrogen." Additionally, "adrenaline" is a hormone that is released under stress and promotes accelerated blood-flow, as well as aggression; "melanin" is a pigment found in skin that is responsible for tanning or darkening of skin; "dopamine" is a chemical present in the brain that is related to the sensation of pleasure

Example Question #55 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Gastronomy is to cooking as osteology is to ____________.

Possible Answers:

eyesight

construction

gems

illness

bones

Correct answer:

bones

Explanation:

"Gastronomy" is the art or science of "cooking" and eating. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what "osteology" is the study of. Well, "osteology" is the study of the skeleton or "bones." 

Example Question #56 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Locution is to __________ as gait is to walk.

Possible Answers:

shoot

cook

perform

taste

talk

Correct answer:

talk

Explanation:

The term "gait" refers to the style or manner of someone's "walk," how someone "walks." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is related to "locution." Well, "locution" means the manner or style in which someone "talks."

Example Question #61 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Insulin is to diabetes as penicillin is to __________.

Possible Answers:

paralysis

insanity

cancer

infection

psychopathy

Correct answer:

infection

Explanation:

"Insulin" is something that is used to treat "diabetes." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "penicillin" is used to treat. The correct answer is that "penicillin" treats bacterial "infection." Additionally, "paralysis" is the inability to move or feel sensation; "psychopathy" is a mental illness defined by a lack of empathy and a desire to defeat others in all areas of life.

Example Question #62 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Austral is to __________ as dorsal is to back.

Possible Answers:

wet

front

native

south

foreign

Correct answer:

south

Explanation:

The term "dorsal" means of or relating to the "back" of an animal or organ. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is related to "austral." The correct answer, as you may have guessed from "Australia," is that "austral" means of or relating to the "south."

Example Question #63 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Gynecology is to women geriatrics is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pets

men

teenagers

children

the elderly

Correct answer:

the elderly

Explanation:

To begin with the prefix gyno- means of or related to "women." So, "gynecology" is the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of "women." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is related to the branch of medicine known as "geriatrics." The correct answer is that "geriatrics" is the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of, and care for, the "elderly."

Example Question #64 : Specific Terminology

Complete this analogy.

Ethics is to morality as __________ is to naming.

Possible Answers:

adage

digression

nomenclature

cynicism

megalomania

Correct answer:

nomenclature

Explanation:

"Ethics" is defined as a system of "morality." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is defined as a system of "naming" things. The correct answer is "nomenclature." Additionally, "megalomania" is the state of being power-mad; an "adage" is an old-saying meant to impart some lesson; a "digression" is a distraction from the main point, straying from the issue under discussion; "cynicism" is skepticism and mistrust, a belief system based around selfishness and pessimism.

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