SCAT Verbal 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: dilemma : difficult ::
- enigma : clear
- credible : legend
- puzzle : organized
- reek : unpleasant (Correct answer)
Correct answer: reek : unpleasant
The analogy 'dilemma : difficult' establishes a relationship where the first word (a noun) inherently possesses the quality described by the second word (an adjective). A dilemma is by definition a difficult problem or situation. Similarly, 'reek : unpleasant' follows this pattern, as a reek is inherently an unpleasant smell.
Question 2: loathe : despise ::
- scarce : meager (Correct answer)
- love : hate
- abundant : sparse
- plentiful : amount
Correct answer: scarce : meager
The analogy 'loathe : despise' demonstrates a synonym relationship, where both verbs mean to feel intense dislike or hatred. Following this pattern, 'scarce : meager' also presents a pair of synonyms. Both words describe something as being in short supply, insufficient, or scanty.
Question 3: decrease : increase ::
- reduce : reuse
- grow : expand
- shallow : deep (Correct answer)
- wide : shrink
Correct answer: shallow : deep
The analogy 'decrease : increase' establishes an antonym relationship, where the two words have opposite meanings. To decrease is the opposite of to increase. Similarly, 'shallow : deep' presents a pair of antonyms, as shallow is the opposite of deep in terms of vertical extent.
Question 4: apple : tree ::
- peach : pear
- branch : bird
- pan : chef
- egg : chicken (Correct answer)
Correct answer: egg : chicken
The analogy 'apple : tree' describes a 'product : source' relationship, where an apple is a fruit that grows on a tree. Following this pattern, 'egg : chicken' represents a similar relationship. An egg is a product that comes from a chicken.
Question 5: Persuade : convinced ::
- exhausted : anxious
- hesitate : persist
- tolerate : endure
- heal : cured (Correct answer)
Correct answer: heal : cured
The analogy 'Persuade : convinced' illustrates a 'verb : resulting state/adjective' relationship; the act of persuading leads to someone being convinced. Similarly, 'heal : cured' follows this structure. The act of healing leads to a state of being cured.
Question 6: Procrastinate : delay ::
- exemplary : symbol
- restrain : mediate
- abstain: moderate
- abbreviate : shorten (Correct answer)
Correct answer: abbreviate : shorten
The analogy 'Procrastinate : delay' shows a synonym relationship, where both verbs mean to put off or postpone an action. Following this pattern, 'abbreviate : shorten' also consists of two verbs that are synonymous. To abbreviate means to shorten something.
Question 7: Olive press : olive ::
- brewery : beer
- churn : milk (Correct answer)
- beehive : honey
- printer : brochure
Correct answer: churn : milk
The analogy 'Olive press : olive' describes a 'tool/machine : raw material it processes' relationship; an olive press is used to process olives. Similarly, a 'churn : milk' fits this pattern. A churn is a machine used to process milk, typically to make butter.
Question 8: Smuggle : transport ::
- forge : sign
- eavesdrop : listen (Correct answer)
- perjury : distort
- blackmail : bribe
Correct answer: eavesdrop : listen
The analogy 'Smuggle : transport' describes a 'specific, often illicit, manner : general action' relationship. To smuggle is to transport something illegally or secretly. Similarly, 'eavesdrop : listen' follows this pattern, as to eavesdrop is to listen secretly or without permission.
Question 9: Leaves : forest ::
- Word : book
- Chair : office
- Sails : fleet (Correct answer)
- Pipes : sewage
Correct answer: Sails : fleet
The analogy 'Leaves : forest' establishes a 'part : collection/group' relationship, where many individual leaves collectively form a forest. Similarly, 'Sails : fleet' fits this pattern, as many individual sails are components of a fleet of ships.
Question 10: border : country
- happy : giggle
- dawn : twilight
- footpath : traveller
- frame : picture (Correct answer)
Correct answer: frame : picture
The analogy 'border : country' describes a 'boundary/enclosure : what it encloses' relationship, where a border defines the perimeter of a country. Similarly, 'frame : picture' follows this pattern. A frame encloses and defines the boundary of a picture.
Question 11: freeze : solid
- melt : liquid (Correct answer)
- book : cover
- handle : door
- otter : plants
Correct answer: melt : liquid
The analogy 'freeze : solid' describes a 'process : resulting state' relationship, where freezing is the process that causes something to become solid. Following this pattern, 'melt : liquid' also fits. Melting is the process that causes something to become liquid.
dilemma : difficult ::