SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Blizzard is to snowstorm as __________ is to cyclone.

Possible Answers:

sunshine

mountain

winter

hurricane

summer

Correct answer:

hurricane

Explanation:

A "blizzard" is another word for a "snowstorm," although a "blizzard" suggests a very bad snowstorm. Nonetheless, these two words are synonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words means the same thing as "cyclone." The correct answer is "hurricane." "Hurricanes" and "cyclones" are very large, powerful tropical storms in which wind speeds reach destructive levels.

Example Question #102 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Barricade is to block as __________ is to sleep.

Possible Answers:

doze

soothe

accelerate

astound

manufacture

Correct answer:

doze

Explanation:

"Barricade" and "block" are synonyms of one another, both words mean close off, seal, prevent something from passing through. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words is a synonym of "sleep." The correct answer is "doze," which means rest, nap, sleep. Additionally, "astound" means shock and amaze; "accelerate" means go faster, speed up; "soothe" means calm, comfort, make feel better; "manufacture" means make, produce, create.

Example Question #103 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Absentminded is to forgetful as camouflaged is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dynamic

attentive

productive

fortunate

disguised

Correct answer:

disguised

Explanation:

"Absentminded" is a synonym of "forgetful," both words mean to be prone to losing or forgetting things. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words is a synonym of "camouflaged." Well, "camouflaged" means dressed in clothes that are the same color as the background to prevent oneself from being seen. This is closest in meaning to "disguised." Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "dynamic" means having lots of power and energy; "attentive" means careful, thoughtful, considerate, paying close attention to something; "productive" means hard-working, efficient, producing a lot of something.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete the analogy.

Thick is to thin as _______________.

Possible Answers:

heavy is to light

good is to better

overweight is to chunky

skinny is to emaciated

crispy is to crunchy

Correct answer:

heavy is to light

Explanation:

"Thick" and "thin" are antonyms, or opposites, so the answer must be two antonyms. "Heavy" is the opposite of "light," (in reference to weight). None of the other answers are opposites.

Example Question #211 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Brief is to short as ______________.

Possible Answers:

open is to book

sudden is to death

cheap is to inexpensive

horse is to goat

lengthy is to childish

Correct answer:

cheap is to inexpensive

Explanation:

To complete the analogy, you must determine the relationship between the first two words. "Brief" and "short" are synonyms, so the answer must be two synonyms. If a play, for instance, is brief it is short (in terms of time). "Cheap" and "inexpensive" are also synonyms. A cheap blouse is inexpensive.

Example Question #212 : Analogies

Complete the analogy.

Apparent is to obvious as ______________.

Possible Answers:

drunk is to sober

difficult is to hard

deep is to ocean

challenge is to easy

music is to piano

Correct answer:

difficult is to hard

Explanation:

Determine the relationship between the first two words. "Apparent" and "obvious" are synonyms, so the answer must be two synonyms. "Difficult" and "hard" are synonyms. Any task that is "difficult," can equally be said to be "hard."

Example Question #213 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Ambassador is to diplomat as border is to __________.

Possible Answers:

frontier

country

nation

army

wall

Correct answer:

frontier

Explanation:

"Ambassador" and "diplomat" are synonyms, both words refer to someone who represents the government of one country whilst abroad in another country. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "border." "Border" means the line that separates two different countries or regions. This is the same meaning as "frontier," so this is the correct answer. 

Example Question #214 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Happen is to __________ as peek is to glance.

Possible Answers:

request

occur

deceive

demand

perspire

Correct answer:

occur

Explanation:

To begin with "peek" and "glance" both mean to look at something quickly and secretively. These two words are synonyms because they have the same meaning, so to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words has the same meaning as "happen." "Happen" means to take place. This is the same meaning as "occur," so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "deceive" means to trick someone by lying to them; "perspire" means to sweat; "demand" means to ask for something forcefully; "request" means ask for politely.

Example Question #213 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Foe is to nemesis as __________ is to teacher.

Possible Answers:

evil 

school 

instructor 

student 

friend 

Correct answer:

instructor 

Explanation:

"Foe" and "nemesis" are synonyms of one another, both words mean enemy, rival, person you are competing against. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these words means the same thing as "teacher." The correct answer is "instructor." To "instruct" is often the same thing as to "teach."

Example Question #215 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Observe is to watch as forgive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

erase

comply

suspend

lend

pardon

Correct answer:

pardon

Explanation:

"Observe" means to look at, to monitor something, to watch something. So, "observe" and "watch" are synonyms of one another. To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "forgive." The correct answer is "pardon." Additionally, "lend" means allow to borrow; "erase" means delete, get rid of; "suspend" means pause, halt; "comply" means agree to follow the rules, do what you are told.

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