SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Analogies

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #511 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Star is to light as stove is to __________.

Possible Answers:

food

heat

kitchen

sounds

images

Correct answer:

heat

Explanation:

How is "light" related to "star"? A star emits light. To solve this analogy, then, you have to figure out which of the answer choices is emitted by a stove. A stove emits heat, so the correct answer is "heat."

Example Question #512 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Baker is to pastry as ________________.

Possible Answers:

accountant is to office

morning is to breakfast

barista is to coffee

loaf is to bread

cop is to parole

Correct answer:

barista is to coffee

Explanation:

A baker is someone who makes pastries, so the correct answer will demonstrate a relationship between someone who makes something and what they make. A barista is someone who makes coffee, and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #513 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Mint is to _____________ as smelter is to metal.

Possible Answers:

oil

money

plastic

marble

condition

Correct answer:

money

Explanation:

A "smelter" is a factory that produces "metal" using heat. So, to solve this analogy you simply need to determine what is produced at a "mint." The correct answer is "money." A "mint" is a place where "money" is produced by the government.

Example Question #514 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Kidney is to __________ as heart is to blood.

Possible Answers:

liquid

sweat

skin

urine

organ

Correct answer:

urine

Explanation:

"Blood" is produced in the "heart," so to solve this analogy you need to determine what is produced in the "kidneys." Well, "kidneys" are organs in the human body that filter out waste and produce "urine."

Example Question #515 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Haberdasher is to clothing as poulterer is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

beer

heating

chickens

electricity

wheat

Correct answer:

chickens

Explanation:

A "haberdasher" is someone who sells or makes "clothing." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that a "poulterer" sells or makes. Based on the similarity between "poulterer" and "poultry" it would be reasonable to guess "chickens." Reasonable and correct! 

Example Question #516 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Handle is to carry as pocket is to __________.

Possible Answers:

illuminate

hold

pretend

hire

lose

Correct answer:

hold

Explanation:

One uses a handle to carry something, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what one uses a pocket to do to something. Pockets are used for containing things or carrying things, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “contain” or “carry.” “Hold,” when used as a verb, means “to contain,” and because one uses a pocket to hold something just as one uses a handle to carry something, “hold” is the correct answer.

Example Question #517 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to sleep as bistro is to eat.

Possible Answers:

Citadel

Hospice

Dormitory

Garrison

Stronghold

Correct answer:

Dormitory

Explanation:

A "bistro" is a cafe, a place where you eat. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answers means a place where you sleep. The correct answer is "dormitory." To provide additional help, the prefix dorm- means sleep, rest. Finally, a "hospice" is a place where people, particularly old or sick people, are cared for; the other three answer choices are all synonyms, all three words mean fortress, fort.

Example Question #518 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Bloodhound is to __________ as sheepdog is to herding.

Possible Answers:

aggressive

training

canine

hunting

docile

Correct answer:

hunting

Explanation:

One uses a "sheepdog" to "herd" sheep, so to solve this analogy you need to determine what one uses a "bloodhound" for. Even if you had not heard the word before, the use of "blood" should help you choose the correct answer which is "hunting." Additionally, "canine" means dog, related to dogs; "docile" means obedient, submissive, not aggressive or disobedient.

Example Question #519 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Strum is to instrument as devour is to __________.

Possible Answers:

vehicle

tool

friend

sport

meal

Correct answer:

meal

Explanation:

To "strum" means to play an instrument (like a guitar) by moving one's fingers up and down the strings. So, one can "strum" and instrument, to which of these does one "devour?" To "devour" means to consume, to eat. So, the correct answer is a meal.

Example Question #520 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Capillary is to __________ as aqueduct is to water.

Possible Answers:

blood

wet

heat

food

time

Correct answer:

blood

Explanation:

An "aqueduct" is a vessel used to transport water. So, which of these is transported using a "capillary?" Well, a "capillary" is a small vessel used to transport blood around the body. So, the correct answer is "blood."

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