All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #473 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Marine biology is to fish as microbiology is to __________.
truth
extinction
bacteria
faith
reptiles
bacteria
"Marine biology" is the study of ocean life, including "fish." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is studied under "microbiology." Well, the roots micro- meaning small and -bio- meaning life should provide sufficient clues. "Microbiology" is the study of microscopic life, like "bacteria."
Example Question #474 : Analogies
Complete this analogy.
Gibbous is to __________ as crest is to trough.
ape
estuary
crescent
rock
space
crescent
"Crest" and "trough" are specific terms used to describe, respectively, the high and low point of waves. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "gibbous" is used to describe and what it's opposite counterpart might be. Well, a "gibbous" is a term used to describe the moon when the illuminated part is greater than a semicircle, but not a full moon. So, the correct answer is "crescent," which is a term used to describe the moon when the illuminated part is less than a semicircle, but not a new moon. Additionally, an "estuary" is the mouth of a river, where the river meets the ocean.
Example Question #51 : Specific Terminology
Complete this analogy.
Alpine is to __________ as cardiac is to heart.
trees
feelings
animals
thoughts
mountains
mountains
"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.
toughness
payment
war
loyalty
love
war
"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 _________________.
conservatism
liberalism
language
ethnicity
belief
language
"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.
melanin
hydrogen
estrogen
adrenaline
dopamine
estrogen
"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 ____________.
eyesight
construction
gems
illness
bones
bones
"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.
shoot
cook
perform
taste
talk
talk
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 __________.
paralysis
insanity
cancer
infection
psychopathy
infection
"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.
wet
front
native
south
foreign
south
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."
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