Tool and Use - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

One might use a shovel to dig something, and "dug" is the past tense of "dig," so we need to pick out a word that both a.) is a verb describing what someone might do with a paintbrush and b.) is in the past tense. While "paint," "painter," "painted" and "painting" may all seem like potentially correct answers, "paint" is either a noun or a present-tense verb, "painter" a noun meaning a person who paints, and "painting" a present progressive verb, so the only answer choice that fulfills both our requirements is "painted."

A tablecloth covers a table, so we need to pick out an answer choice that describes something that covers and protects a person. While “quilt” and “sail” might each look like a potentially correct answer, because each refers to a piece of cloth, a “sail” is specifically the piece of cloth that catches the wind on a sailboat and propels it and does not necessarily cover and protect a person. A “quilt,” however, is defined as a large sewn covering used on beds made up of many small pieces of cloth joined together over a layer of padding and a back layer of cloth. Just as a tablecloth covers a table, a quilt is made to cover a person, so “quilt” is the correct answer.

A "microscope" is a piece of machinery used to look at the small world, so to solve this analogy you have to identify the name of the machine used to look at the much larger world. The correct answer is “telescope.” The prefix, micro­-, means small, and the prefix, macro­-, means big; however in this instance you use the prefix, tele-, which means at a distance or far away. For clarification, "garrulous" means talkative.

A bed is an object which is used to fulfill the action of resting. So, to solve this analogy you have to identify which of these answer choices is an action intended to be undertaken in a car. The correct answer is “travel.” For clarification, "automobile" means car, and "supplant" means to replace.

We use "toothbrushes" in our "mouths." We use "combs" in our "hair." The relationship is tool to body part. None of the other analogies have this relationship.

Bats are used in baseball, but humans do not have baseballs as parts of their body. Chain-link fence is composed of wire, but neither word is related to a body part. Writers use pens but writers are not a body part. Feather is a body part of a bird, but bird is not a part of the human body.

A sword is the weapon used in fencing, while a lance is the weapon used in the medieval sport of jousting. This analogy relates an implement to the fighting sport for which it is used. The rest of the options are, indeed, sports, but they are sports that do not require a lance.

The function of a "hinge" is to join two pieces of something together. Its functionality is to "join" things. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what the functionality of a "jack" is. The correct answer is to "lift" things. When you see someone raising the height of a car so they can change a flat tire, they are likely using a "jack." Additionally, "suspend" means pause, stop something until later.

To "inscribe" means to write, to mark. So, one might use "paper" for the purposes of "inscribing." To solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is something one might use to "repose." Well, "repose" means rest, so the correct answer is "bed."

To begin with "preserve" means save, keep intact for later use. So, one might use a "jar" to "preserve" something. What might one need to use in order to "mend" something? Well, "mend" means fix, repair, so the best possible answer is "glue."

The purpose of a "hammock" is for "resting." So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is used for "enlarging" something. "Enlarging" means to make larger. The correct answer is that a "microscope" is used to "enlarge" something to make it easier to see. Additionally, a "periscope" is used by a submarine to see above the water; a "barometer" is used to measure pressure and a "thermometer" is used to measure temperature.

When something is transported by "plane" we use the term "airlift." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a verb that is used when transporting something by "truck." The correct answer is "haul." Additionally, "harangue" means criticize, scold; "replete" means filled with; "perspire" means sweat; "repose" means rest, lie down.

A "beacon" is something, like a lighthouse, used to pass a message or warning. A "beacon" is used to "signal." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you might use an "abacus" for. An "abacus" is an outdated instrument used for counting. The correct answer is therefore "count."

An "antiseptic" is something used to prevent "infection." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "antiperspirant" is used for. The correct answer is that it is used to prevent "sweating."

"Hypnosis" is a technique used to put someone to "sleep." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an action that is helped by "ointment." "Ointment" is cream applied to a wound in order to help with "healing." So, the correct answer is "heal."

The purpose of a "padlock" is to keep something safe, to lock something away, to "secure" something. So, to solve this analogy you merely need to determine what the purpose of a "lantern" is. Well, a "lantern" is a light, a torch. So, the correct answer is to "illuminate," which means to light up, to shed light upon. Additionally, "masticate" means chew; "begrime" means blacken, make dirty; "devastate" means completely destroy, ruin.

A "crank" is a device used to facilitate the "turning" of something. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a device used for "mooring." Well, you first need to know that "mooring" means to fix a boat in place in a harbor so that it cannot be moved by the water. The correct answer is therefore "anchor." Additionally, a "harbor" is where boats are docked; a "tirade" is a long and impassioned verbal attack against someone or something; a "hearth" is a fireplace or a home; a "scowl" is an angry frown.

"Charcoal" is a material used to provide "fuel" or heat energy. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that "detergent" is used for. The correct answer is to "clean." Additionally, "vend" means to sell and "lend" means allow to borrow.

To begin with "cure" means heal, make no longer sick. "Medicine" is something you use to "cure." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an object that you use to "forge" something. Well, "forge" means to make or shape a metal object, like a sword. So, the correct answer is that you use a "hammer."

A "microwave" is a tool used for "cooking." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine what a "handlebar" is used for. Well, a "handlebar" is the piece of a bicycle that allows one to change the direction of the wheels. It is therefore used for "steering."