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 #293 : Analogies

Pretty is to exquisite as ugly is to __________.

Possible Answers:

plain

similar

safe 

grotesque 

attractive 

Correct answer:

grotesque 

Explanation:

"Pretty" and "exquisite" are synonyms, but the relationship is one of a heightened degree. Something that is exquisite is very pretty. Likewise, "grotesque" refers to something that is very ugly.  

Example Question #343 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Cottage is to house as sapling is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mountain

tree

person

store

train

Correct answer:

tree

Explanation:

A "cottage" is a small, usually rural, house. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "sapling" is a smaller version of. The correct answer is that a "sapling" is a small "tree."

Example Question #344 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete the analogy.

Clean is to spotless as ______________.

Possible Answers:

dirty is to filthy

laundry is to washer

trashcan is to trash

mop is to floor

pen is to writing

Correct answer:

dirty is to filthy

Explanation:

To complete the analogy, you must determine the relationship between the first two words. "Clean" and "spotless" are synonyms of increasing intensity, so the answer must be two synonyms of increasing intensity. "Filthy" is a more intense version of dirty, so that must be the correct answer.

Example Question #345 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete the analogy.

Wet is to soaked as _______________.

Possible Answers:

car is to carwash

desert is to barren

ocean is to beach

yellow is to green

dry is to arid

Correct answer:

dry is to arid

Explanation:

What is the relationship between the given words? "Wet" and "soaked" are synonyms of increasing intensity, so the answer must be two synonyms of increasing intensity. "Arid" is a more intense version of dry, so that must be the correct answer.

Example Question #341 : Ssat Elementary Level Verbal

Complete this analogy.

Strong is to strongest as ___________________.

Possible Answers:

quiet is to whisper

weak is to weaker

loud is to loudest

tough is to inflexible

bright is to light 

Correct answer:

loud is to loudest

Explanation:

Since strongest is the greatest intensity of the word "strong," we are looking for an answer choice that has one word (e.g., strong) and the other word functions as the greatest intensity of that first word (e.g., strongest). The only answer choice that fits this criterion is "Loud is to loudest."

"Weak is to weaker" is not the best answer choice because weaker is not the greatest intensity of the word "weak," weakest would make this answer choice correct.

Example Question #21 : Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Loud is to louder as ________________.

Possible Answers:

part is to hole

big is to bigger

mop is to bucket

scream is to whisper

quiet is to shrill

Correct answer:

big is to bigger

Explanation:

Louder is a more intense version of loud, so we are looking for an answer choice that includes words of varying intensities. The only answer choice that fits this criteria is "big is to bigger."

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