Qualities, Features, Abilities, and Other Analogies

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SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Qualities, Features, Abilities, and Other Analogies

Questions 1 - 10
1

Complete this analogy.

Prevaricator is to evasive as ______________ is to seraphic.

angel

mountain

demon

convict

sailor

Explanation

A "prevaricator" is someone who frequently lies and tries to talk their way around the truth. A quality of a "prevaricator" is to be "evasive" (seek to conceal the truth through avoiding talking about). So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "seraphic." Well, "seraphic" means beatific, angelic, blissful. So, the correct answer is "angel."

2

Complete this analogy.

Justice is to scales as __________.

peace is to dove

war is to gunfire

power is to socks

crown is to royalty

sunglasses are to sun

Explanation

Since scales are a symbol of the abstract concept of justice, we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is a concrete symbol of the abstract concept that the first word represents. While "crown is to royalty" may look like an appealing answer, its words are in the incorrect order (royalty doesn't symbolize a crown—a crown symbolizes royalty), so it can't be the correct answer. A dove is a symbol of peace, however, so "peace is to dove" is the correct answer.

3

Complete this analogy.

Prevaricator is to evasive as ______________ is to seraphic.

angel

mountain

demon

convict

sailor

Explanation

A "prevaricator" is someone who frequently lies and tries to talk their way around the truth. A quality of a "prevaricator" is to be "evasive" (seek to conceal the truth through avoiding talking about). So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these could be described as "seraphic." Well, "seraphic" means beatific, angelic, blissful. So, the correct answer is "angel."

4

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to cat as cunning is to fox.

Curiosity

Honesty

Loyalty

Veneration

Determination

Explanation

Being "cunning" is a characteristic commonly attributed to "foxes" in contemporary society. Which of these is a characteristic commonly attributed to "cats?" The correct answer is "curiosity." Additionally, "veneration" means deep respect for, worship.

5

Complete this analogy.

Below is to grave as above is to __________.

mausoleum

innuendo

adage

crucible

platitude

Explanation

A "grave" is a place to bury the dead "below" ground, so the correct answer to this analogy is a "mausoleum" because this is a place to bury the dead "above" ground. Additionally, a "platitude" is a fawning and unoriginal comment; a "crucible" is a trial; an "adage" is an old saying meant to impart some lesson; "innuendo" is a suggestive and rude remark.

6

Complete this analogy.

Water is to ice as magma is to __________.

stone

crust

subterranean

molten

circulating

Explanation

When water cools, it becomes ice; therefore, this analogy requires that which magma becomes when it cools. Magma is the liquid stone that flows under the earth’s crust. When this cools, it becomes stone again. This is the only option that fits among those provided.

7

Complete this analogy.

Telephone is to voice as __________.

letter is to writing

walk signal is to button

television is to movie

flashlight is to bright

stroller is to walking

Explanation

When we use a telephone, we communicate using our voice. Similarly, when we write a letter, we communicate using our writing.

8

Complete this analogy.

Justice is to scales as __________.

peace is to dove

war is to gunfire

power is to socks

crown is to royalty

sunglasses are to sun

Explanation

Since scales are a symbol of the abstract concept of justice, we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is a concrete symbol of the abstract concept that the first word represents. While "crown is to royalty" may look like an appealing answer, its words are in the incorrect order (royalty doesn't symbolize a crown—a crown symbolizes royalty), so it can't be the correct answer. A dove is a symbol of peace, however, so "peace is to dove" is the correct answer.

9

Complete this analogy.

Axiom is to __________ as centrist is to moderate.

true

false

unknown

recent

ancient

Explanation

A "centrist" is someone who is neither far to the right or far to the left on the political spectrum. So, a quality of a "centrist" is to be "moderate." Which of these is a quality of an "axiom?" Well, an "axiom" is an established or widely accepted truth. So, a quality of an "axiom" is to be "true."

10

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to cat as cunning is to fox.

Curiosity

Honesty

Loyalty

Veneration

Determination

Explanation

Being "cunning" is a characteristic commonly attributed to "foxes" in contemporary society. Which of these is a characteristic commonly attributed to "cats?" The correct answer is "curiosity." Additionally, "veneration" means deep respect for, worship.

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