Tool to Use or Use to Tool - SSAT Elementary Level Verbal

One uses a stove to cook things, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the second word is an object or tool that is used to do the first verb to things. While “washer is to wash” might look like a potentially correct answer, its two words are in an incorrect order compared to our example (“wash” is not used to “washer” things), so it cannot be the correct answer. Refrigerators are used to chill things, though, just like stoves are used to cook things, so “chill is to refrigerator” is the correct answer.

One uses a pen to draw, so we need to pick out an answer choice in which the first word is an object and the second word a verb which one uses that object to do. While “keyboard is to type,” “click is to mouse,” and “wood is to saw” might each look like a potentially correct answer, one does not use a click to mouse or wood to saw, so neither “click is to mouse” nor “wood is to saw” can be the correct answer. One can use a keyboard to type, however, just as one can use a pen to draw, so “keyboard is to type.”

An "ear" is the part of the body used to hear, so to complete the analogy, you need to pick out an answer choice that describes what a hand is used to do. A hand is something you use for “touching" things, so "touching" is the correct answer.

"Wear" is a verb that describes how you use clothes, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these answer choices is a verb that describes how you use food. The correct answer is “eat.” To help you, "demolish" means tear down or destroy.

Breakfast is a meal consumed in the morning, so to solve this analogy, you have to determine at what time of day dinner is consumed. The correct answer is “evening.” For analogy questions it is very important to figure out the relationship between the words before attempting to answer. The question often becomes very easy once you figure out the relationship between the first two words.

A gun is used to hunt, just as a pen is used to write, so "pen is to write" is the correct answer.

What does a computer have to do with typing? A keyboard can be used for typing, so look for an answer that represents the relationship something is to something you can do with it. "Pencil is to writing" is the best choice, because a pencil is used for writing. A hole can be covered, but it is not itself used to cover.

You use scissors to cut things, just as you would use a pen to write.

A game is played just as a book is read.

A "phone" is used for "calling" (making phone calls) just as a "book" is used for "reading," so "read" is the correct answer. Regarding incorrect answers, although you can "see" a book, this is not a description of its use, and "clean," "water," and "fly" have nothing to do with how books are used either.

A “needle” is a tool used to “sew” things, so to solve this analogy, you need to determine for what purpose you use a “pencil.” You use a “pencil” to “write," so "write" is the correct answer.

A “phone” is an object that you use for “talking,” so to solve this analogy, you have to determine what it is that you use a “television” for. The correct answer, of course, is “watching.”

A “house” is something used for “sheltering.” To “shelter” someone or something means to give him, her, or it protection from dangerous things. So, to solve this analogy, you need to determine what a “truck” is used for. The correct answer is “shipping,” which means moving things from one place to another.

You use your eyes to see things, so, to solve this analogy, you have to determine what it is that you use your mouth to do. The correct answer is therefore "eat" because you use your mouth to eat things.

You use a "microwave" to make "food," so to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you use a "piano" for. The correct answer, of course, is to make "music."

A "crosswalk" is a pathway one uses to cross the road. So, which of these is something one might use to cross a "river?" The correct answer is a "bridge." Additionally, a "yacht" is a sailboat; a "stream" is a very small, narrow river.

You use "bricks" to "build" things, so to solve this analogy you need to determine what it is that you use a "flashlight" for. The correct answer is to "see" things. Additionally, "torch" is another word for "flashlight."

"Champagne" is sparkling wine, it is something one "drinks." So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out what one does with a "broth." Well, a "broth" is much like a soup. So, the correct answer is that you "eat" it. Additionally, "complete" means finish.

The purpose of a "castle" is to "defend" people from attacks. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these answer choices describes the purpose of a "telephone." The correct answer is "communicate" which means to talk to, share information. Additionally, "elevate" means rise up, lift up; "barter" means trade, exchange, argue about the price of something; "irritate" means annoy.