SSAT Analogy Worksheet 17

The following questions ask you to find relationships between words. For each question, select the answer choice that best completes the meaning of the sentence.

A kitten is a young cat, just as a cub is a young bear.

1. Hammer is to carpenter as

1. stethoscope is to physician
2. hospital is to patient
3. wood is to furniture
4. nail is to board
5. building is to architect

2. Peninsula is to land as

1. island is to ocean
2. bay is to water
3. mountain is to valley
4. desert is to sand
5. continent is to country

3. Obstinate is to yield as

1. flexible is to bend
2. transparent is to see
3. impervious is to penetrate
4. timid is to courage
5. generous is to give

4. Choreographer is to dance as

1. actor is to stage
2. composer is to symphony
3. painter is to gallery
4. teacher is to student
5. athlete is to competition

5. Drought is to famine as

1. rain is to flood
2. cloud is to sky
3. desert is to heat
4. winter is to cold
5. storm is to wind

6. Cacophony is to harmonious as

1. melody is to musical
2. chaos is to orderly
3. silence is to quiet
4. noise is to loud
5. symphony is to orchestral

7. Tadpole is to frog as

1. egg is to chicken
2. caterpillar is to butterfly
3. fish is to water
4. snake is to reptile
5. mammal is to whale

8. Apathetic is to enthusiasm as

1. energetic is to vitality
2. lethargic is to activity
3. sympathetic is to kindness
4. pathetic is to pity
5. athletic is to strength

9. Quarry is to stone as

1. mine is to ore
2. forest is to tree
3. factory is to worker
4. museum is to artifact
5. library is to book

10. Effervescent is to bubbly as

1. stagnant is to flowing
2. turbulent is to choppy
3. transparent is to opaque
4. liquid is to solid
5. sparkling is to dull

11. Lexicon is to words as

1. atlas is to maps
2. novel is to chapters
3. library is to books
4. dictionary is to definitions
5. encyclopedia is to knowledge

12. Magnanimous is to petty as

1. generous is to charitable
2. magnificent is to grand
3. courageous is to timid
4. enormous is to large
5. famous is to known

13. Thermostat is to temperature as

1. thermometer is to heat
2. barometer is to pressure
3. clock is to time
4. compass is to direction
5. scale is to weight

14. Mendacious is to truthful as

1. devious is to straightforward
2. tedious is to boring
3. gracious is to polite
4. spacious is to roomy
5. precious is to valuable

15. Wheat is to flour as

1. bread is to baker
2. grapes is to wine
3. farm is to crop
4. mill is to grain
5. harvest is to autumn

16. Precocious is to maturity as

1. brilliant is to intelligence
2. clumsy is to grace
3. studious is to laziness
4. curious is to knowledge
5. anxious is to worry

17. Journalist is to article as

1. poet is to verse
2. reader is to newspaper
3. editor is to manuscript
4. publisher is to magazine
5. author is to library

18. Parched is to arid as

1. drenched is to saturated
2. dry is to wet
3. thirsty is to drink
4. desert is to cactus
5. humid is to moisture

19. Claustrophobia is to enclosed spaces as

1. acrophobia is to heights
2. anxiety is to nervousness
3. fear is to danger
4. phobia is to psychology
5. panic is to alarm

20. Minuscule is to tiny as

1. colossal is to gigantic
2. average is to ordinary
3. microscopic is to visible
4. diminutive is to growing
5. miniature is to model

21. Scalpel is to surgeon as

1. wrench is to mechanic
2. patient is to doctor
3. operation is to hospital
4. prescription is to pharmacist
5. microscope is to biologist

22. Trepidation is to fear as

1. jubilation is to joy
2. hesitation is to delay
3. meditation is to thought
4. irritation is to annoyance
5. preparation is to readiness

23. Metamorphosis is to transformation as

1. photosynthesis is to growth
2. synthesis is to combination
3. hypothesis is to theory
4. analysis is to examination
5. paralysis is to movement

24. Proliferate is to multiply as

1. evaporate is to disappear
2. generate is to destroy
3. concentrate is to dilute
4. demonstrate is to show
5. elaborate is to simplify

25. Talon is to eagle as

1. wing is to bird
2. claw is to lion
3. beak is to chicken
4. feather is to hawk
5. nest is to owl

26. Ameliorate is to worsen as

1. improve is to better
2. escalate is to diminish
3. mediate is to intervene
4. alleviate is to relieve
5. renovate is to restore

27. Architect is to blueprint as

1. builder is to construction
2. cartographer is to map
3. sculptor is to chisel
4. engineer is to bridge
5. designer is to fabric

28. Volatile is to stable as

1. fragile is to delicate
2. mobile is to stationary
3. hostile is to enemy
4. docile is to gentle
5. fertile is to productive

29. Glacier is to ice as

1. volcano is to lava
2. mountain is to rock
3. ocean is to salt
4. river is to water
5. desert is to heat

30. Prodigal is to thrifty as

1. wasteful is to extravagant
2. frugal is to economical
3. reckless is to cautious
4. lavish is to generous
5. stingy is to miserly

Answer Key

1. Ans: (A) stethoscope is to physician
Explanation: This is a tool-to-user relationship. A hammer is a primary tool used by a carpenter, just as a stethoscope is a primary tool used by a physician. (B) is wrong because a hospital is a place, not a tool. (D) is wrong because a nail is a material the carpenter works with, not a tool the carpenter uses.

2. Ans: (B) bay is to water
Explanation: This is a part-to-whole relationship. A peninsula is a body of land that juts into water (it is mostly surrounded by water), just as a bay is a body of water that juts into land (it is mostly surrounded by land). (A) is wrong because an island is completely surrounded by water, not mostly surrounded. (C) is wrong because it shows a contrasting geographic feature, not a parallel relationship.

3. Ans: (C) impervious is to penetrate
Explanation: This is a lack-of-quality relationship. Someone who is obstinate (stubborn) lacks the tendency to yield (give in), just as something that is impervious lacks the ability to be penetrated. (A) is wrong because flexible things do bend. (D) is wrong because while timid people may lack courage, this doesn't match the grammatical structure (yield is a verb, courage is a noun).

4. Ans: (B) composer is to symphony
Explanation: This is a specialist-to-work-product relationship. A choreographer creates a dance as their artistic work product, just as a composer creates a symphony. (A) is wrong because an actor performs in plays but doesn't create the stage. (C) is wrong because a painter creates paintings, not galleries (which are exhibition spaces).

5. Ans: (A) rain is to flood
Explanation: This is a cause-to-effect relationship. A drought (lack of rain) can cause a famine (food shortage), just as excessive rain can cause a flood. (C) is wrong because a desert doesn't cause heat; both are characteristics that coexist. (D) is wrong because winter doesn't cause cold in the same direct way; they are associated but not in a cause-and-effect relationship.

6. Ans: (B) chaos is to orderly
Explanation: This is an antonym relationship. Cacophony (harsh, discordant noise) is the opposite of harmonious (pleasant-sounding), just as chaos is the opposite of orderly. (A) is wrong because melody and musical are related positively, not as opposites. (D) is wrong because noise and loud are related positively.

7. Ans: (B) caterpillar is to butterfly
Explanation: This is a young-to-adult/transformation relationship. A tadpole is an immature form that transforms into a frog, just as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. (A) is wrong because an egg is not a living developmental stage in the same way. (D) is wrong because it shows a member-to-category relationship, not a developmental transformation.

8. Ans: (B) lethargic is to activity
Explanation: This is a lack-of-quality relationship. Someone who is apathetic lacks enthusiasm, just as someone who is lethargic lacks activity. (A) is wrong because energetic people possess vitality. (C) is wrong because sympathetic people possess kindness.

9. Ans: (A) mine is to ore
Explanation: This is a source-to-product relationship. A quarry is a place where stone is extracted, just as a mine is a place where ore is extracted. (B) is wrong because a forest is a natural collection of trees, not an extraction site. (D) is wrong because a museum stores artifacts but doesn't extract or produce them.

10. Ans: (B) turbulent is to choppy
Explanation: This is a synonym relationship. Effervescent means bubbly (fizzy, lively), just as turbulent means choppy (rough, agitated). (A) is wrong because stagnant and flowing are opposites, not synonyms. (C) is wrong because transparent and opaque are opposites.

11. Ans: (A) atlas is to maps
Explanation: This is a collection-to-contents relationship. A lexicon is a specialized collection of words (vocabulary), just as an atlas is a specialized collection of maps. (C) is wrong because while a library contains books, it's a physical place rather than a bound compilation. (D) is wrong because a dictionary contains word entries with definitions, but the parallel isn't as precise.

12. Ans: (C) courageous is to timid
Explanation: This is an antonym relationship. Magnanimous (generous, forgiving, noble-minded) is the opposite of petty (small-minded, trivial), just as courageous is the opposite of timid. (A) is wrong because generous and charitable are synonyms. (D) is wrong because enormous and large are synonyms.

13. Ans: (B) barometer is to pressure
Explanation: This is a control-device-to-regulated-condition relationship. A thermostat regulates and controls temperature, just as a barometer measures and monitors atmospheric pressure. (C) is wrong because a clock measures time but doesn't regulate it. (D) is wrong because a compass indicates direction but doesn't control it.

14. Ans: (A) devious is to straightforward
Explanation: This is an antonym relationship. Mendacious (lying, dishonest) is the opposite of truthful, just as devious (deceitful, underhanded) is the opposite of straightforward. (B) is wrong because tedious and boring are synonyms. (C) is wrong because gracious and polite are synonyms.

15. Ans: (B) grapes is to wine
Explanation: This is a raw-material-to-processed-product relationship. Wheat is processed into flour, just as grapes are processed into wine. (A) is wrong because the order is reversed; a baker makes bread. (D) is wrong because a mill is where processing happens, but grain is not the specific end product.

16. Ans: (A) brilliant is to intelligence
Explanation: This is a characteristic-to-quality relationship showing abundance. Someone precocious exhibits advanced maturity for their age, just as someone brilliant exhibits exceptional intelligence. (B) is wrong because clumsy people lack grace, showing the opposite relationship. (C) is wrong because studious and laziness are opposites.

17. Ans: (A) poet is to verse
Explanation: This is a specialist-to-work-product relationship. A journalist creates an article as their professional work product, just as a poet creates verse. (C) is wrong because an editor revises a manuscript but doesn't create it. (D) is wrong because a publisher distributes a magazine but doesn't write it.

18. Ans: (A) drenched is to saturated
Explanation: This is a synonym relationship. Parched means extremely dry or arid, just as drenched means extremely wet or saturated. Both pairs show synonyms with similar intensity. (B) is wrong because dry and wet are antonyms. (C) is wrong because thirsty describes a condition and drink is an action, not synonyms.

19. Ans: (A) acrophobia is to heights
Explanation: This is a condition-to-trigger relationship. Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed spaces, just as acrophobia is the fear of heights. (B) is wrong because anxiety and nervousness are synonyms, not a phobia and its trigger. (C) is wrong because fear and danger show a response and cause, but in a more general way.

20. Ans: (A) colossal is to gigantic
Explanation: This is a synonym relationship showing extreme degree. Minuscule means extremely tiny, just as colossal means extremely gigantic. Both pairs are synonyms indicating size extremes. (B) is wrong because average and ordinary don't indicate extreme degree. (C) is wrong because microscopic and visible are somewhat opposite rather than synonymous.

21. Ans: (A) wrench is to mechanic
Explanation: This is a tool-to-user relationship. A scalpel is a primary tool used by a surgeon, just as a wrench is a primary tool used by a mechanic. (B) is wrong because it reverses the relationship. (E) is wrong because while a microscope is used by a biologist, it's an observational instrument rather than a hands-on tool in the same way.

22. Ans: (A) jubilation is to joy
Explanation: This is a degree-of-intensity relationship. Trepidation is an intense or heightened form of fear (anxious fear), just as jubilation is an intense or heightened form of joy. (B) is wrong because hesitation is a pause or delay, not an intensified emotion. (D) is close but irritation is milder annoyance, not more intense.

23. Ans: (B) synthesis is to combination
Explanation: This is a synonym relationship. Metamorphosis means transformation (a complete change in form), just as synthesis means combination (the combining of elements into a whole). (A) is wrong because photosynthesis is a specific biological process, not a synonym for growth. (E) is wrong because paralysis means inability to move, not a synonym for movement.

24. Ans: (D) demonstrate is to show
Explanation: This is a synonym relationship. Proliferate means to multiply or increase rapidly, just as demonstrate means to show or display. Both pairs present formal and informal synonyms. (A) is somewhat close but evaporate is more specific (turning to vapor). (B) is wrong because generate and destroy are opposites.

25. Ans: (B) claw is to lion
Explanation: This is a body-part-to-animal relationship. A talon is a specialized claw of an eagle (bird of prey), just as a claw is a body part of a lion. (A) is wrong because wings are common to all birds, not specific to one type. (C) is wrong because while chickens have beaks, this doesn't parallel the specialized hunting appendage relationship.

26. Ans: (B) escalate is to diminish
Explanation: This is an antonym relationship. Ameliorate means to make better or improve (opposite of worsen), just as escalate means to increase or intensify (opposite of diminish). (A) is wrong because improve and better are synonyms. (D) is wrong because alleviate and relieve are synonyms.

27. Ans: (B) cartographer is to map
Explanation: This is a specialist-to-work-product relationship. An architect creates a blueprint as their technical work product, just as a cartographer creates a map. (A) is wrong because a builder follows plans rather than creates construction as a document. (D) is wrong because an engineer may design a bridge but doesn't create "bridge" as a type of document.

28. Ans: (B) mobile is to stationary
Explanation: This is an antonym relationship. Volatile means unstable, changeable, or unpredictable (opposite of stable), just as mobile means movable or moving (opposite of stationary). (A) is wrong because fragile and delicate are synonyms. (D) is wrong because docile and gentle are synonyms.

29. Ans: (B) mountain is to rock
Explanation: This is a whole-to-primary-composition relationship. A glacier is a large natural formation made primarily of ice, just as a mountain is a large natural formation made primarily of rock. (A) is wrong because a volcano produces lava but isn't composed of it. (D) is close but a river is flowing water, not a solid mass of water like a glacier is a solid mass of ice.

30. Ans: (C) reckless is to cautious
Explanation: This is an antonym relationship. Prodigal means wastefully extravagant (opposite of thrifty), just as reckless means carelessly hasty (opposite of cautious). (A) is wrong because wasteful and extravagant are synonyms. (E) is wrong because stingy and miserly are synonyms.