SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Material Composition

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Skeleton is to bones as __________.

Possible Answers:

sharpen is to pencil

sky is to sunset

log cabin is to logs

thread is to cloth

dirt is to worm

Correct answer:

log cabin is to logs

Explanation:

A skeleton is comprised of bones, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word is made up of the thing the second word refers to. While "thread is to cloth" might look like a good answer choice because cloth is made up of thread, it can't be the correct answer because the two words are in the incorrect order—skeletons are made of bones, but thread is not made of cloth. Log cabins are made up of logs, however, so "log cabin is to logs" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Snowflake is to snowdrift as raindrop is to __________.

Possible Answers:

downpour

sky

desert

leaf

fruit

Correct answer:

downpour

Explanation:

Since a snowflake is a single unit of snow, and a snowdrift is composed of a lot of snowflakes, we need to pick out a word that describes something that is composed of a lot of water drops. Since "downpour" is the only answer choice that is made up of lots of raindrops, "downpour" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Wind is to tornado as __________.

Possible Answers:

parrot is to talk

snow is to snowstorm

mile is to distance

wriggle is to worm

rain is to rainbow

Correct answer:

snow is to snowstorm

Explanation:

"Tornado" is a noun that means "a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system." So, because a tornado is a natural disaster that consists of wind, we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word represents a natural disaster caused by or composed of the first word. "Rain is to rainbow" might look like a potentially correct answer, but since a "rainbow" is not a natural disaster, it cannot be the correct answer. However, because a snowstorm is a natural disaster created by snow, just like a tornado is a natural disaster created by wind, "snow is to snowstorm" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Snow is to snowman as ice is to __________.

Possible Answers:

summer

lava

freezing

icicle

melting

Correct answer:

icicle

Explanation:

Since snow is what a snowman is made of, we need to pick a word that describes something that is made of ice. Because icicles are made of ice, "icicle" is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Material Composition

Complete the analogy.

Beach is to sand as river is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fish

water

lake

ocean

stones

Correct answer:

water

Explanation:

A beach is made up of sand. That means we're looking for something that makes up a river. While "stones" and "fish" can be found in a river, they aren't what form the river. A "lake" and "ocean" are other types of water. "Water" is the only answer that fits.

Example Question #6 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Candle is to wax as __________ is to cotton.

Possible Answers:

knife

window

mug

sweater

computer

Correct answer:

sweater

Explanation:

A "candle" is usually made of "wax." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices is often made from "cotton" (a type of fabric, a type of material used to make clothes). The correct answer is "sweater."

Example Question #7 : Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Jam is to fruit as cheese is to __________.

Possible Answers:

grilled

banana

toast 

milk

food

Correct answer:

milk

Explanation:

"Jam" is usually made from "fruit," so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these answer choices "cheese" is usually made from. The correct answer is that "milk" is used to make "cheese."

Example Question #8 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Galaxy is to stars as __________ is to books.

Possible Answers:

space

library

reading

universe

planet

Correct answer:

library

Explanation:

A "galaxy" is the name given to a collection of "stars." Our galaxy is called "the Milky Way." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a name given to a collection of "books." The correct answer is a "library." 

Example Question #9 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete this analogy.

Omelet is to egg as __________ is to flour.

Possible Answers:

oven

cake

chicken

plant

baking

Correct answer:

cake

Explanation:

An "omelet" is made using "eggs." So, which of these is something that is made using "flour?" The correct answer is a "cake."

Example Question #10 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Complete the analogy.

Sweater is to wool as _____________ .

Possible Answers:

shoe is to leather. 

boat is to sea. 

table is to food. 

bat is to ball.

eye is to face.

Correct answer:

shoe is to leather. 

Explanation:

Sweaters are often made of wool. Therefore, we must look for the answer that shows a relationship between a product and the material from which it is made. Shoes are often made of leather, so the correct answer is "shoe is to leather."

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