All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Unilateral is to side as monorail is to __________.
pass
track
line
decision
front
track
"Uni-" and "mono-" are both prefixes that mean "one" or "single." A unilateral decision is made by only one side of a dispute; a monorail is a train that runs on a single track.
Example Question #2 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots
The words in these verbal analogies are based on the understanding and use of common Latin and Greek word roots.
Bicameral is to branches as duet is to __________.
trees
music
camels
bicycles
singers
singers
"Bi-" and "duo-" are prefixes that both mean "two." A bicameral government is one with two branches, and a duet is a musical performance by two singers.
Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes
Theology is to religion as genealogy is to __________.
families
justice
God
science
politics
families
Theology is the study of religion so to solve this analogy you need to determine what genealogy is the study of. The prefix gene- should provide a clue that it likely describes the study of families or family history. The correct answer is therefore families.
Example Question #2 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots
Cow is to bovine as dog is to __________.
cat
feline
equine
canine
lupine
canine
The adjective bovine is used to describe characteristics displayed by or attributed to cows. To solve this analogy you have to identify the adjective used to describe characteristics displayed by or attributed to dogs. This leads to the correct answer which is canine. Cow is to bovine as dog is to canine as cat is to feline, etc.
Example Question #3 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots
Complete this analogy.
One is to unity as three is to __________.
infinity
triangle
bipedal
trisect
trinity
trinity
Unity means the state or condition of being one or as one so to solve this analogy you have to identify which answer choice means the state or condition of being three parts working together. The prefix tri- usually describes something to do with the number three, such as triangle or tripod. From the suffix -ity in unity you might well have guessed at the correct answer which is “trinity.”
Example Question #4 : Analogies: Prefixes
Complete this analogy.
Misogynist is to women as Luddite is to __________.
animals
politics
technology
men
environmentalism
technology
Someone who is a misogynist hates women, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what it is that a Luddite dislikes. The Luddites were a nineteenth-century organization in Britain, dedicated to fighting the introduction of life changing technology during the Industrial Revolution; as such, the word has come to be used to describe all disdain for “technology” in the contemporary era. The prefix mis- is often used to describe the dislike of something.
Example Question #2 : Analogies: Prefixes
Complete this analogy.
Xenophobia is to foreigners as zoophobia is to __________.
Animals
Death
Children
Women
Men
Animals
Xenophobia is the fear of foreigners, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what zoophobia is a fear. This question is a little easier than most phobia analogy questions because the prefix zoo- is such a dead giveaway. The correct answer is that zoophobia is the fear of animals.
Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots
Complete this analogy.
Arachnophobia is to spiders as triskaidekaphobia is to __________.
The afterlife
The number thirteen
Clowns
The outdoors
Outlandish behavior
The number thirteen
Arachnophobia, as you might have gathered from the prefix arach- and the suffix -phobia, is the fear of spiders; therefore, in order to solve this problem you have to determine what exactly triskaidekaphobia is the fear of. This is a tough question, but there are some clues in the word to help you determine the answer. The prefix tri- suggests it might have something to do with the number three, and the inclusion of deka (think decathlon) suggests it might have something to do with the number ten. In the absence of any other clues it seems logical to guess the correct answer is triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number thirteen. Now, good luck trying to pronounce it.
Example Question #6 : Analogies: Prefixes
Complete this analogy.
Eighty is to octogenarian as seventy is to _________.
Nonagenarian
Pentagenarian
Septuagenarian
Pretty old
None of these answers
Septuagenarian
An octogenarian is somebody in his or her eighties, so to solve this analogy you have to determine what name is given to somebody in his or her seventies. The prefix sept- is commonly used to refer to the number seven or things composed of seven parts; therefore the correct answer is “septuagenarian.” For clarification, a nonagenarian is somebody in his or her nineties, and pentagenarian is not a word.
Example Question #2 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots
Complete this analogy.
Cartographer is to map as vintner is to __________.
soda
hats
wine
coffee
shoes
wine
A cartographer is someone who makes maps, so in order to solve this analogy, you have to determine which of the items is produced by a vintner. The prefix "vin-" might clue you in that the answer choice has to be wine (from the Latin for wine, vino).
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