All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Handle is to carry as pocket is to __________.
lose
hold
hire
illuminate
pretend
hold
One uses a handle to carry something, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes what one uses a pocket to do to something. Pockets are used for containing things or carrying things, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “contain” or “carry.” “Hold,” when used as a verb, means “to contain,” and because one uses a pocket to hold something just as one uses a handle to carry something, “hold” is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
__________ is to sleep as bistro is to eat.
Hospice
Citadel
Stronghold
Garrison
Dormitory
Dormitory
A "bistro" is a cafe, a place where you eat. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answers means a place where you sleep. The correct answer is "dormitory." To provide additional help, the prefix dorm- means sleep, rest. Finally, a "hospice" is a place where people, particularly old or sick people, are cared for; the other three answer choices are all synonyms, all three words mean fortress, fort.
Example Question #3 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Bloodhound is to __________ as sheepdog is to herding.
canine
aggressive
hunting
docile
training
hunting
One uses a "sheepdog" to "herd" sheep, so to solve this analogy you need to determine what one uses a "bloodhound" for. Even if you had not heard the word before, the use of "blood" should help you choose the correct answer which is "hunting." Additionally, "canine" means dog, related to dogs; "docile" means obedient, submissive, not aggressive or disobedient.
Example Question #4 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Strum is to instrument as devour is to __________.
sport
meal
vehicle
friend
tool
meal
To "strum" means to play an instrument (like a guitar) by moving one's fingers up and down the strings. So, one can "strum" and instrument, to which of these does one "devour?" To "devour" means to consume, to eat. So, the correct answer is a meal.
Example Question #5 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Capillary is to __________ as aqueduct is to water.
time
blood
food
heat
wet
blood
An "aqueduct" is a vessel used to transport water. So, which of these is transported using a "capillary?" Well, a "capillary" is a small vessel used to transport blood around the body. So, the correct answer is "blood."
Example Question #6 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Pump is to inflate as ______________.
shovel is to dig
megabyte is to hard drive
box is to cardboard
key is to doorknob
tire is to axle
shovel is to dig
A "pump" is a tool used to inflate. The correct answer will demonstrate a relationship between tool and use. A "shovel" is a tool that is used to dig.
Example Question #7 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Dike is to flooding as fortress is to __________.
invading
levee
defending
castle
army
invading
A "dike" is a low-wall built to prevent "flooding." So, if a "dike" is meant to prevent "flooding," what is it that a "fortress" is designed to prevent? The correct answer is "invading." Additionally, a "levee" is a low-wall built to prevent the overflow of a river. It is very similar to a "dike" in definition.
Example Question #8 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Brochure is to _______________ as centrifuge is to separate.
create
advertise
distribute
manage
punish
advertise
A "centrifuge" is a rapidly spinning machine which is meant to "separate" two or more items. The purpose of a "centrifuge" is therefore to "separate." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what the purpose of a "brochure" is. Well, a "brochure" is a magazine with a series of items listed for sale. The purpose of a "brochure" is to "advertise."
Example Question #9 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Loom is to ________________ as parasol is to shade.
splice
clean
weave
lower
annoy
weave
A "parasol" is a large umbrella used to provide shelter from the "sun." It's purpose therefore is to "shade" or to provide "shade." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is the purpose of a "loom." Well, a "loom" is a device for making fabric from yarn. So, the correct answer is "weave." Additionally, "splice" means join together.
Example Question #10 : Tool And Use
Complete this analogy.
Ford is to __________________ as overpass is to highway.
mountain
forest
farm
town
river
river
The purpose of an "overpass" is to allow you to cross the "highway." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that a "ford" allows you to cross. The correct answer is a "river." A "ford" is a shallow area of a "river" where one might cross safely. "Ford" can also be used as a verb, as in to "ford the river."