Analogy questions appear second on the SSAT Verbal section (questions 31-60). If you feel more confident with these questions, we recommend beginning with them. Conversely, if Synonyms are your strength, start with question 1 (the first of the Synonym questions) and tackle the Analogy questions second. Play to your strengths and prioritize the questions that are easiest for you.
The key to succeeding on Analogy questions lies in identifying specific relationships. Each question provides two words demonstrating a particular relationship. You must then select the answer choice that best reflects that relationship, completing the meaning of the sentence.
Here’s our strategy for approaching an Analogy question on the SSAT Verbal section:
1. Identify the Specific Relationship Between the Two Question Words
2. Search for the Answer That Shows the Same Relationship
3. Eliminate Accordingly
Sounds straightforward, right? Not always. Identifying a specific relationship, especially between unfamiliar words or partial meanings, can be challenging. Answer choices may include terms that are associative but not necessarily indicative of the same relationship.
Here are some tips to help you succeed:
1. Start familiarizing yourself with common Analogy Categories
Each SSAT Analogy question presents a specific relationship between two ideas. As you work through these questions, recognize various “categories” of relationships, such as cause and effect, part and whole, or function.
Consider this sample Analogy question and identify the relationship category:
Victorious is to win as:
A) Silent is to speak
B) Happy is to joyful
C) Tired is to rest
D) Generous is to give
E) Bright is to dark
If you identified a relationship of result or outcome, you’re correct! Victorious is a state achieved by winning. The correct answer is (D): Generous is to give, as being generous is a result of giving.
The most common Relationship Categories Include:
Actor and Action
Antonyms
Cause and Effect
Degrees
Example and General Category
Location
Material
Part and Whole
Product and Producer
Size
Synonyms
Time
Tool and Use
Tool and User
Identifying the category helps with elimination, as you can rule out choices that fit other categories.
2. Create a Specific Relationship Sentence for the Question Words
Just as with Synonyms, crafting a “relationship sentence” for Analogy questions can clarify the specific connection between the question words.
Using the example above, a relationship sentence like “Victorious is a result of winning” helps pinpoint that the correct answer is one that reflects a similar result-oriented relationship.
3. Eliminate Answer Choices That Have No Relationship or Are “Conditional”
The right answer will demonstrate the specific relationship of the question words. If no clear relationship exists between two words, that choice is incorrect. Likewise, eliminate choices that show a conditional relationship, applicable only some of the time.
Consider this sample question:
Intricate is to complex as:
A) Delicious is to food
B) Fast is to race
C) Sloppy is to adorn
D) Expensive is to costly
E) Light is to weight
In choice C, “sloppy” and “adorn” have no relationship, which doesn’t fit the synonym relationship. So you can eliminate C immediately. In Choice A, “food” may be “delicious”, but not necessarily all the cases. You can eliminate A as well.
4. Focus on Relationships, Not Synonyms
Avoid the temptation to focus on synonyms instead of relationships. Your task is to identify the specific relationship between the words presented and choose the answer reflecting a similar relationship. If, in the answer choices, you see synonyms to words in the question, be very skeptical. These choices are most likely incorrect.
5. Think of All Possible Relationships
Some questions may have multiple reasonable answers. If unsure, consider additional possible relationships between the question words.
For example:
Branch is to tree as:
A) Chapter is to book
B) Leaf is to flower
C) Page is to paragraph
D) Petal is to stem
E) Root is to plant
Initially, “Chapter is to book” may seem like a possible answer. However, thinking further, “Branch is a part of a tree” aligns best with “Leaf is a part of a flower,” making (B) the correct answer.
Applying the Strategies
Let’s apply these strategies to a new sample Analogy question:
Inscribe is to write as:
A) Construct is to build
B) Observe is to see
C) Listen is to hear
D) Paint is to draw
E) Teach is to educate
Creating a relationship sentence like “Inscribe is a way to write” helps identify (A) Construct is to build, as it reflects a similar relationship where one term is a method or action related to the other.
Apply these strategies to practice questions to master the SSAT Analogy section. Download our SSAT VerbalPro app from the Apple’s App Store and start practicing today!
Good luck!