SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Distinguishing Between a Word’s Multiple Definitions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analogies

Analogies: Complete this analogy.

Policing is to precinct as banking is to  __________.

Possible Answers:

Branch 

Building 

Office 

Hotel

Headquarters

Correct answer:

Branch 

Explanation:

A “police” “precinct” is where the police are located and where they deal with members of the public. Similarly in “banking” the place where a bank locally deals with customers is called a branch. Your local bank is your “branch.” There you will find the offices of the local bank manager. The banks “headquarters” are where all of the branches refer to and are at the centre of the branches.

Example Question #1 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Alter is to altar as __________.

Possible Answers:

buy is to bought

ale is to mail

hole is to fill

paper is to stack

cannon is to canon

Correct answer:

cannon is to canon

Explanation:

"Alter" and "altar" mean different things, but they sound the same, so they're homophones. Look for an answer that has two words that sound the same but have different meanings. Since "cannon" sounds like "canon" but means something completely different, "cannon is to canon" is the best choice. "Ale" and "mail" rhyme, but they don't sound exactly the same when spoken.

Example Question #2 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Typewriter is to type as mouse is to __________.

Possible Answers:

print

click

withdraw

chop

store

Correct answer:

click

Explanation:

One uses a typewriter to type, so we need to pick out an answer choice that isa verb that describes what one uses a mouse to do. While “mouse” can mean “a small rodent,” it can also mean “a small handheld device used to move the cursor on a computer screen.” Given the potential answer choices, one can infer that “mouse” is being used to describe the device, not the animal. While “click” and “print” might each look like a potentially correct answer choice, one does not use a mouse to print things, so “print” cannot be the correct answer; however, one does use a mouse to click things, just as one uses a typewriter to type, so “click” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Bill is to duck as __________.

Possible Answers:

hoof is to cow

easy is to difficult

swan is to office

tree is to apple

paper is to seal

Correct answer:

hoof is to cow

Explanation:

What does "bill" mean? It can mean a suggestion for a law that has not yet been signed into law, one piece of paper money, a part of a hat, or the beak of certain types of birds. Pick the meaning that fits best with the other word, "duck," which is a bird's beak. Then choose the answer that best matches this relationship: part of something is to the whole thing. The best fit is "hoof is to cow," because "hoof" refers to a part of a cow. "Tree is to apple" might work, but it would have to be switched around: "apple is to tree."

Example Question #4 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Tutor is to tutor as __________.

Possible Answers:

teacher is to teach

flog is to fog

driver is to drive

phone is to phone

sun is to son

Correct answer:

phone is to phone

Explanation:

The phrase in question relates to a homograph and plays on its different meanings. Recognize that the word "tutor" has two meanings; it can be used as a noun meaning a personal teacher, or as a verb meaning to act as a tutor for someone. "Teacher is to teach" is similar to "tutor is to tutor" because a "teacher" is similar to a "tutor," but "teacher" and "teach" are not a single word with multiple meanings like "tutor." "Driver is to drive" is similar in almost the same fashion, but is also incorrect. "Sun is to son" is tempting, but it is a homophone (two words that sound alike but are spelled differently and mean different things) rather than a homograph like "tutor." The correct answer is "phone" because it also has two meanings, one which is a noun (telephone or cellular communication device) and one that is a verb (to use a phone to call someone).

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