SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) Verbal Reasoning: Analogies Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning: Analogies syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Verbal Reasoning: Analogies in SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Analogy Fundamentals

   4 topics

   • Reading analogies as relationships
     • Building a clear bridge sentence
   • Order and direction of the relationship
   • Completing two-blank and single-blank analogies
   • Eliminating answer choices systematically
2. 2

   Categories of Analogy Relationships

   7 topics

   • Synonym and antonym relationships
   • Part-to-whole and whole-to-part
   • Type and category (member of a class)
   • Cause and effect
   • Function, use, and purpose
   • Degree and intensity relationships
   • Characteristic and defining trait
3. 3

   Advanced Analogy Strategy

   4 topics

   • Refining a too-broad bridge sentence
   • Choosing between two plausible answers
   • Working backward from answer choices
   • Tackling analogies with unfamiliar words

Verbal Reasoning: Analogies flashcards for SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test)

24 of 50 cards from the Verbal Reasoning: Analogies deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. On the SSAT, what is the fundamental thing an analogy question actually tests?

   Your ability to identify the relationship (the 'bridge') between the first pair of words, then find the answer pair that shares the exact same relationship.

2. What is a 'bridge sentence' in SSAT analogies, and why do you make one?

   A short, specific sentence that defines how the two given words relate (e.g., 'A KITTEN is a young CAT'). You build it from the first pair, then test it on each answer pair to find the match.

3. Why does the ORDER (direction) of words in an analogy matter?

   The relationship must run in the same direction in the answer. If the stem is A:B, the answer must be C:D in the same order. If your bridge is 'A causes B,' the answer must be 'C causes D,' not 'D causes C.'

4. In the analogy GLOVE : HAND, what is the bridge, and which order must the answer keep?

   Bridge: 'A GLOVE is worn on a HAND.' The answer must keep clothing-item : body-part order (e.g., SOCK : FOOT), not the reverse.

5. What is the difference between a single-blank and a two-blank SSAT analogy format?

   Single-blank gives a complete first pair and you pick one word to complete the second pair (A:B :: C:____). Two-blank (kangaroo format) gives one stem word and you choose a whole pair (e.g., 'Kangaroo is to ___ as ___ is to dog').

6. How do you solve a two-blank ('kangaroo') analogy like 'Kangaroo is to ___ as ___ is to dog'?

   Make a bridge using the stem word and each answer pair, requiring BOTH blanks to fit the same relationship. Test: 'A kangaroo is a kind of (first word)' and '(second word) is a kind of dog.' Both halves must be true.

7. What is the systematic process of elimination for SSAT analogy answer choices?

   Plug your bridge sentence into every choice; cross out any pair the sentence cannot truthfully describe. Eliminate choices where the relationship is reversed, too weak, or nonexistent, then choose from what remains.

8. If your bridge sentence fits more than one remaining answer choice, what should you do?

   Refine (make more specific) the bridge sentence so it eliminates the weaker match, then re-test the remaining choices.

9. What is a synonym-relationship analogy? Give the bridge template.

   The two words mean the same (or nearly the same) thing. Bridge: 'A means the same as B' (e.g., HAPPY : JOYFUL :: SAD : SORROWFUL).

10. What is an antonym-relationship analogy? Give the bridge template.

    The two words are opposites. Bridge: 'A is the opposite of B' (e.g., HOT : COLD :: WET : DRY).

11. Define a part-to-whole analogy and give the standard bridge.

    One word is a component of the other. Bridge: 'A is a part of B' (e.g., PETAL : FLOWER, WHEEL : CAR, CHAPTER : BOOK).

12. How does whole-to-part differ from part-to-whole, and why does it matter on the SSAT?

    Whole-to-part reverses the direction: 'B is a part of A' (e.g., FOREST : TREE). It matters because a correct answer must match the SAME direction as the stem; mixing them is a classic trap.

13. Define a type/category (member-of-a-class) analogy with its bridge.

    One word is a specific example of the broader category. Bridge: 'A is a type/kind of B' (e.g., ROBIN : BIRD :: TROUT : FISH).

14. What is a cause-and-effect analogy? Give the bridge and an example.

    One word produces or leads to the other. Bridge: 'A causes B' or 'A leads to B' (e.g., FIRE : SMOKE, RAIN : FLOOD, JOKE : LAUGHTER).

15. What is a function/use/purpose analogy? Give the bridge template.

    One word is a tool or object and the other is what it is used for/does. Bridge: 'A is used to B' or 'The purpose of A is B' (e.g., KNIFE : CUT :: PEN : WRITE).

16. What is a degree/intensity analogy? Give an example pair.

    The two words sit on the same scale but differ in strength. Bridge: 'A is a more (or less) intense form of B' (e.g., WARM : HOT, CHUCKLE : LAUGH, LIKE : ADORE, SAD : DEVASTATED).

17. What is a characteristic/defining-trait analogy? Give the bridge.

    One word names something and the other a defining quality it inherently has. Bridge: 'A is always/characteristically B' (e.g., GENIUS : SMART :: VILLAIN : EVIL).

18. For the pair OPTIMIST : HOPEFUL, what relationship type is it and what is the bridge?

    Characteristic/defining-trait. Bridge: 'An OPTIMIST is by definition HOPEFUL.'

19. What is a 'worker-and-tool' relationship, and what category does it fall under?

    A function/purpose subtype: a person and the tool of their trade. Bridge: 'A (worker) uses a B (tool)' (e.g., PAINTER : BRUSH, CARPENTER : HAMMER).

20. What is a 'worker-and-product' (or worker-and-action) relationship? Give an example.

    A person and what they make or do. Bridge: 'A AUTHOR produces a BOOK' or 'A BAKER makes BREAD.' Keep direction consistent in the answer.

21. Why is a bridge sentence like 'A is related to B' useless, and what makes a good bridge?

    It is too broad—it fits almost any pair, so it eliminates nothing. A good bridge is specific and uses one clear, defining verb or relationship (e.g., 'A is a young B,' not 'A goes with B').

22. Demonstrate refining a too-broad bridge for PUPPY : DOG (suppose 'A is connected to B' fit too many choices).

    Replace 'A is connected to B' with the precise 'A PUPPY is a YOUNG DOG.' The age component eliminates pairs that are merely 'same animal' or 'type of.'

23. When two answer choices both seem to fit, what single test most often decides the SSAT analogy?

    Tighten the bridge with a more specific word and check direction; the correct answer matches the stem's precise relationship AND its order, while the trap matches only loosely or is reversed.

24. What is the strategy of 'working backward from answer choices' in analogies?

    If the stem words are unfamiliar, build a bridge from each answer pair instead, find which relationship types are present, then see which one could also logically connect the stem words.

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