Question 1

Sagacious : wise ::
A)histrionic : restrained
B)pallid : healthy
C)fortitude : resilience
D)perspicacious : ignorant

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, someone who is sagacious is wise or sage-like. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), histrionic describes something that is theatrical or melodramatic - over-the-top, not restrained or reserved, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), something that is pallid is pale and wan, not healthy-looking, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), someone who is perspicacious is acute and observant, not ignorant. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (C). Someone who has fortitude is resilient and determined, so that is the correct choice.

Question 2

Salubrious : unsavory ::
A)imperious : domineering
B)munificent : generous
C)natty : dapper
D)perfidious : loyal

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, salubrious and unsavory are antonyms. Salubrious refers to something that is healthy and wholesome, not unsavory. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), someone who is imperious is commanding and haughty, domineering over others, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), munificent is a synonym for generous and charitable, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), someone who is natty is dapper, and has a keen sense of style. Choice (D) is the only choice that contains antonyms. Someone who is perfidious is treacherous and disloyal, so that is the correct choice.

Question 3

Sanguine : pessimistic ::
A)incessant : uninterrupted
B)mordant : sarcastic
C)pedestrian : imaginative
D)modish : fashionable

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, sanguine is the opposite of pessimistic. Someone who is sanguine is confident, optimistic, and upbeat. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is incessant is nonstop or uninterrupted, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a mordant remark is sarcastic and harsh, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), someone who is modish is fashionable and trendy, so eliminate that choice. Choice (C) contains antonyms. Something that is pedestrian is ordinary and dull - far from imaginative, so that is the correct choice.

Question 4

Secular : sacred ::
A)genial : amiable
B)impetuous : spontaneous
C)menial : tedious
D)paltry : significant

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, secular refers to worldly or material things, not sacred or spiritual things. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), genial and amiable are synonyms that describe a cheerful, friendly person. In choice (B), someone who is impetuous is spontaneous and impulsive, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that is menial is boring and tedious - usually referring to unskilled labor. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (D). Something that is paltry is trivial or worthless - far from significant.

Question 5

Seminal : inconsequential ::
A)impolitic : unwise
B)maculated : stained
C)motley : homogeneous
D)pastoral : rural

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, something that is seminal is influential and decisive, which is the opposite of inconsequential or unimportant. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is impolitic is unwise or ill-advised, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), something that is maculated is stained or spotted, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), pastoral refers to a beautiful rural scene, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (C). Something that is motley is assorted and mixed, not homogeneous or uniform.

Question 6

Servile : sycophantic ::
A)pertinacious : stubborn
B)inveterate : modern
C)pendulous : interred
D)plausible : absolute

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, servile refers to someone who is slavishly submissive, or someone who fawns over others. Sycophantic also means someone who fawns over or flatters others. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (B), something that is inveterate is deep-rooted and habitual, not modern or new, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that is pendulous is hanging, not interred or buried, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), something that is plausible could conceivably be true, but is not absolute, so eliminate that choice. In choice (A), someone who is pertinacious is stubborn and headstrong.

Question 7

Sinuous : lithe ::
A)furtive : overt
B)indulgent : lenient
C)officious : eager
D)pellucid : opaque

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, something that is sinuous is winding, supple, and lithe. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), someone who is furtive is secretive and sneaky, not overt and open, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), someone who is officious is intrusive and overbearing - far past merely being eager. In choice (D), something that is pellucid is transparent, not opaque, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). Someone who is indulgent is lenient and tolerant, so that is the correct choice.

Question 8

Slake : quench ::
A)perforate : pleat
B)quell : incite
C)fulminate : explode
D)polarize : amalgamate

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words are synonyms. To slake means to satisfy or to quench. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), to perforate means to pierce, not to pleat or fold. In choice (B), to quell means to suppress, not to incite or provoke, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to polarize means to split into extremes, not to amalgamate or unite, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), to fulminate means to detonate or explode, so that is the correct choice.

Question 9

Somatic : body ::
A)gustatory : senses
B)pecuniary : money
C)agrarian : universe
D)piscatorial : soil

Accepted Answer

In this analogy, the relationship is that the first term refers to "related to" the second term. For example, somatic describes something that is related to the body. So, look for the answer choice that contains a similar relationship. In choice (A), gustatory has to do with taste, not with the senses, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), agrarian has to do with the land, not with the universe, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), piscatorial has to do with fish, not with the soil, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), pecuniary refers to something that has to do with money, so that is the correct choice.

Question 10

Sophomoric : mature ::
A)funereal : solemn
B)inane : silly
C)lucrative : profitable
D)perceptive : obtuse

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, sophomoric describes someone who is immature and unsophisticated. So, look for the answer pair that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is funereal is solemn and serious, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), inane describes something that is silly or absurd, so eliminate that. In choice (C), something that is lucrative is profitable, so eliminate that choice. The choice that contains antonyms Is (D). Someone who is perceptive is insightful and observant, not obtuse or simple-minded.

Question 11

Spurious : authentic ::
A)indigenous : native
B)pithy : concise
C)rampant : restrained
D)quiescent : dormant

Accepted Answer

In the first half of this analogy, spurious means false or imitation, not authentic. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is indigenous is native to a certain area, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), pithy refers to something that is concise, brief, and to the point, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), something that is quiescent is at rest, or dormant, so eliminate that choice. Choice (C) contains antonyms. Something that is rampant is growing out of control - the opposite of restrained.

Question 12

Squalid : fetid ::
A)maladroit : ungainly
B)recondite : understandable
C)sacrosanct : unholy
D)reticent : communicative

Accepted Answer

The first half of the analogy contains synonyms. Something that is squalid or fetid is filthy, dirty, and foul. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (B), something that is recondite is profound, or not easily understood, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that is sacrosanct is the most sacred, not unholy, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), someone who is reticent is inclined to silence, and is not communicative. Choice (A) contains the synonyms. Someone who is maladroit is awkward and ungainly, so that is the correct choice.

Question 13

Stentorian : inaudible ::
A)nonchalant : indifferent
B)petulant : peevish
C)polyglot : multilingual
D)scrupulous : negligent

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, something that is stentorian is very powerfully loud, not inaudible, which means difficult to hear. So, look for the choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), someone who is nonchalant is casual and indifferent, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is petulant is peevish - both mean irritable and ill-tempered. In choice (C), a polyglot is someone who speakers several languages. Multilingual is descriptive of a polyglot. Choice (D) is correct. Scrupulous means conscientious and principled, not negligent.

Question 14

Stolid : demonstrative ::
A)indeterminate : uncertain
B)mutinous : rebellious
C)pensive : contemplative
D)refulgent : dull

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, someone who is stolid is emotionless and unresponsive, not demonstrative and expressive. So, look for the answer pair that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is indeterminate is imprecise, vague, and uncertain, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is mutinous is rebellious and insubordinate, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), someone who is pensive is contemplative and thoughtful, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), refulgent describes something that is brilliant and gleaming, not dull, so that is the correct answer.

Question 15

Stygian : dark ::
A)propitious : unfavorable
B)quizzical : curious
C)recalcitrant : obedient
D)scurrilous : complimentary

Accepted Answer

The first half of the analogy contains synonyms. Something that is stygian is dark and gloomy. In choice (A), propitious describes something that is favorable or advantageous, not unfavorable, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), someone who is recalcitrant is disobedient even after being punished, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), someone who is scurrilous is vulgar and offensive - far from complimentary. Choice (B) is correct. Someone may look at you in a quizzical manner - curious and questioning.

Question 16

Gerontocracy : elderly
A)timocracy : landowners
B)oligarchy : wealthy
C)plutocracy : single ethnic group
D)demarchy : despot

Accepted Answer

Consider the first half of the analogy. A gerontocracy is a government run by the older members of a society. This is common in communist countries, where power is gained relative to the amount of time spent in service to the government. So, look for the choice in which the second word identifies the person or persons who hold the power in the form of government listed in the first word. In choice (B), an oligarchy refers to a government run by a few, not by the wealthy, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), a plutocracy refers to a government run by the wealthy, not by a single ethnic group, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a demarchy is a government that is run by people who are selected randomly, in a lottery-style system. A despot, or tyrant, would not be in power in a demarchy. The only choice that matches is choice (A). A timocracy is a government in which the power is held by people who own land.

Question 17

Supercilious : obsequious ::
A)inexorable : relentless
B)miserly : stingy
C)pristine : unspoiled
D)spartan : opulent

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, supercilious means arrogant and condescending, and obsequious means flattering and submissive. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), inexorable is a synonym for relentless or unstoppable, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is miserly is stingy and penny-pinching, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), something that is pristine is perfect and unspoiled, so eliminate that choice. Choice (D) contains the antonyms. Something that is spartan is austere and plain, not opulent and luxurious.

Question 18

Supplicate : beseech ::
A)inculcate : instill
B)portend : reminisce
C)rankle : attend
D)preen : ruffle

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words supplicate and beseech are synonyms; both mean to beg or implore. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (B), to portend means to foretell, not to reminisce or recollect, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), to rankle means to annoy or irritate, not to attend. These words are unrelated, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to preen means to make oneself tidy, not to ruffle, so eliminate that choice. Choice (A) contains the synonyms. To inculcate means to instill or indoctrinate, so that is the correct choice.

Question 19

Sycophant : flatters ::
A)interloper : critiques
B)malefactor : repels
C)raconteur : regales
D)minion : leads

Accepted Answer

In the initial part of the analogy, a sycophant is a person who flatters others. So, in the answer choices, look for the pair in which the second word describes what the person that is the first word does. In choice (A), an interloper is one who interferes, not necessarily one who critiques. They are not closely related, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a malefactor is an evil-doer, and while he might repel someone, the words are not closely related. In choice (D), a minion is someone who follows, not someone who leads, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), a raconteur is a storyteller - one who regales others with tales.

Question 20

Taciturn : effusive ::
A)inert : inactive
B)putative : supposed
C)rapacious : satiated
D)quotidian : commonplace

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, taciturn and effusive are antonyms. Someone who is taciturn is introverted and aloof, not effusive and enthusiastic. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is inert is motionless or inactive, so eliminate that synonym pair. In choice (B), putative describes something that is generally acknowledged or accepted - or supposed, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), something that is quotidian is daily and customary, or commonplace, so eliminate that choice. Choice (C) contains the antonyms. Something - an appetite, for example, that is rapacious is voracious or ravenous. Satiated is the opposite; it means satisfied or full.

Quiz 1: Analogies

Sagacious : wise ::

Salubrious : unsavory ::

Sanguine : pessimistic ::

Secular : sacred ::

Seminal : inconsequential ::

Servile : sycophantic ::

Sinuous : lithe ::

Slake : quench ::

Somatic : body ::

Sophomoric : mature ::

Spurious : authentic ::

Squalid : fetid ::

Stentorian : inaudible ::

Stolid : demonstrative ::

Stygian : dark ::

Gerontocracy : elderly

Supercilious : obsequious ::

Supplicate : beseech ::

Sycophant : flatters ::

Taciturn : effusive ::