A Process for Solving Analogies
Your job in soiving multiple-choice analogy questions is to identify the
relationship betrtreen the first two lt,ords and then to find the pair of words
that has the most similar relationship. Keep in mind ihat a word pair has the
same relationship no matter in which order the tn,o words appear. For
example, both CHAPTER: BOOK and BOOK: CHAPTER have a part-andn'hole relationship. Here is a hint for identi$zing relationships. Try using
n'ord pairs in the explanation sentences on the chart. \{4ren a word pair
makes sense in the explanation sentence for a particular relationship, you
have found the relationship that the two words have to each other.
Here is a process that will help you with analogy qr,restions:
Answering Analogy Questions: A 4-Step Method
1. Identify the relationship between the capitalized pair of words.
2. Iclentify the relationship belween the pair of words rn each possible
answeL
3" Elirninate answer choices that have relationships that do not match
the relationship betrveen the capitalized words.
4. Choose the remaining possible answer. This answer will have the
same relationship as the capitalized pair.
Let's apply this pattern to a sample question.
Example 3
c
6
o,
E
o
o
sc
.@
WRITE : PEN::
IFunctiottl
(A) toe : foot P!tr/
(B) toss : salad AO
(C) gymnast : mat PO
(D) sky : blue CO
(E) shine : sun F
fPnrt nnd Wlrcle-does not match]
fAction nnd Object-does not match]
fPerformer md Object-does not match]
fChnrncteristic QtLnlity-does not match]
fFunction-does rnatch]
None of relationships (A) through (D) match that of the capitalized pair.
They can be eliminated. Choice E must be the correct answer. Notice that the
r.t'ords make sense in the explanation sentence: The function of a pen is to
urite jttst as the function of the stLn is to shine.
o-
o
o
6
I
c
=o
€
o
I
o
A Final Word
Analogies are easier and more fun if you tackle them with a sense of
adventure. Allow yourseif to discover the relationship between the firstpair
of rt ords and to explore the relationships belween the words in the answer
choices. Keep in mind that some words can represent more than one part of
speech and thatmany words have several meanings. Remember, these little
verbal ptrzzles cali for flexibility as well as logic.
Corururcrrruc New Wonos qr'Jo
PnrrgnNs 157
TYPES OF ANALOGIES
RELATIONSHIP
EXAMPLE
EXPLANATION
Synonym
DRY: ARID::
find : locate
Dry is similar in meaning to
nrid, just as find is similar in
meaning to locnte.
Antonym
KIND :CRUEL::
find : lose
A kind action is the opposite of
a cruel action, just as to find
something is the opposite of
to lose it.
Cause and Effect
GIFT : JOY
rain:flood
A gift can cause joy, just as rain
can cause aflood.
CHAPTER: BOOK
fender: ar-rtomobile
A chnpter is a part of a book,
just as a fender is a part of an
Part and Whole
::
nutontobile.
Classification
POLKA : DANCE
frog : amphibian
A polkn may be classified as a
dnnce,just as afrog may be
classified as an amphibinn.
Characteristic Quality
PUPPIES : FURRY::
Puppies are fttrry, iust asy'sh are
slippery.
fish : slippery
CHUCKLE : LAUGH
whimper :cry
A
Function
KNIFE : CUT
pen: write
The ftrnction of a knife is lo cttt,
jtrst as the function of a pen rs to
write.
Performer and Action
AUTHOR: WRITE
chef: cook
You expect an ntLthor to urite,
just as you expect a chef to cook.
Performer and Object
CASHIEIT:CASI{
plumber :pipe
A
Degree
::
little lnugh,just
is a little cry.
chuckle. is a
a ru'himper
as
works with cnslr, jtrst
as a plttmber works wilh pipe.
cnshier
c
6
o
E
o
o)
.c
Action and Object
BOIL: ECC::
throw :ball
You boilan csq, just as you
tfuotu a bnll.
!
.9
nl
l
Location
FISH :SEA ::
moose : forest
A fish can lre found in the scn,
just as a moose can be found in
forest.
o
o
6
I
-a
=co
E
o
l
o
I
o
156
Corur.recrrruc NEw
Wonos AND
PATTERNs
Class
Date
ANALOGIES
esson 4
DirectionS. On each line, write the letter or letters that describe the type of relationship the
words have to each other. Choose from the foliowing types:
S synonym
F function
D degree
PW part and whole
A antonynr
L
C
CE
ciassification CQ
location
PA performer
and aclion
PO perforrner and object
characteristic quality AO action and object
cause and effect
Circle the letter of the pair of words that has the same relationship as the capitalized words.
Each relationship is used no more than once in each numbered item.
1. ADEQUATE : EXCELLENT
6. FELINE : WHISKERS::
(A) gap : opening
(B) artist : draw
(C) year : month (D) paint : enamel(E) tired : frazzled
2. DELEGATE
(A) announcer : microphone
(B) sincere : honest
(C) kitten: paw
(D) telephone : answer
(E) metal : silver-
: REPRESENT
::
(A) dog : fox terrier
(B) moment : brief
(C) actor : perform (D) fence : separate(E) exist : live
-
c
(0
E
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
-
!
J
f
o
o
(g
I
-c
=o
E
o
f
o
T
o
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
-
-
o
.c
g
.e
4.
DISCORD: HARMONY
(A) wheelchair : mobile
(B) mixer : stir
(C) war : peace
(D) boat : canoe
(E) apple : stem-
5. ENHANCE
: DECORATION
(A) ginger : spice
(B) deliver: mail
(C) enrich : fertilizer
(D) frantic : upset (E) foul : penalty
-
LONELINESS
::
captain : lead
experience : confidence
trunk : tree
traffic light : street corner
sailor : compass
:
-
9. MENACE : FRIGHTENING
::
(A) assist : help
(B) crime : offensive
(C) scold : praise(D) blow : fan
(E) racket : tennis-player
-
10. MENAGERIE : CAGED :: -
::
-
-
8. ISOLATION
-
(E) minute: hour
o
HEIRESS::
beaten : defeated
steal : thief
shell : beach
game : rules
vinegar : sour
7. INHERIT:
-
- ::
3. DESCEND: RISE
(A) ciown : makeup
(B) delicate : flower
(C) tell : brag
(D) shove : pull
-
(A) apart: separate
(B) crime ; illegal
(C) wick : candle =(D) singer : tenor
(E) match : strike
-
-
Corururclruc Nrw Wonos AND PATTERT.Is
161
Name
Class
Date
esson
ANALOGIES
5
DirectionS, On each line, write the letter or letters lhat describe the type of relationship the
words have to each other. Choose from the following types:
PW part and whole
PA performer and action
S synonym A antonym
F function L location
CE cause and effect
PO performer and object
D degree C classification CQ characteristic quality AO action and object
Circle the letter of the pair of words that has the same relationship as the capitalized words.
Each relationship is used no more than once in each numbered item.
1. ADAPT : MODIFY
::
(A) thoughtful : considerate
(B) library : quiet (C) pencil : sharpen
(D) writer : notebook
(E) dror.r.siness : nap-
-
2. BASIS : FOUNDATION ::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
3,
slippers comfortable
automobile : transport
door : cabinet
delay : prevent
sign : indication
:
-
CONSECUTIVE : INTERRUPTED::(A) skim : read
(B) slack : loose
(C) teeth : crocodile
(D) lamp : living room
(E) fresh : st.rle
-
4.
CONTROVERSY- : DISPUTE
(A) sleeper : snore
(B) soft : cushion
(C) compose : song
(D) promise : pler-lge
(E) turtle : reptilc
-
-
5. CREATIVE : ARTIST::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
162
dentist : teeth
germ : illrress
idlc : in.rctir t'
--scientif ic : chcmist
1'11t-t-, : tropi65
Corururcrrruc
-
-
Nrw -Wonos AND PATTERNs
6. DURABLE : LEATHER ::
(A) brim : hat
(B) hear : ears
(C) keep : secret
(D) ocean : octopus
(E) gritty : sand 7. HILARIOUS
: FUNNY::-
(A) police officer : arrest
(B) lighthearted : gloomy
(C) toes : feet
(D) nasiy : unpleasant
(E) pain:sunburn
-
-
8. IMMENSE : LARCE- ::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
architect : blueprint
snake : hole _frantic : nervous
awkward : clumsy
c.rgle : bird
c(g
a
E
o
o
-
c',
::
9. INGENIOUS : INVENTOR
(A) lampshade : lamp
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
artist : draw
antlers : protect
-
o
O
=
=c
o
-
E
Ol
-
-
-
f
F
cr-rrious : monkey
microscope : biologist
skunk : rlnim.t]
=
o-
(!
(B) orchid :jrrnglc
(C) guitarist : strnm
(D) complex : complicatcd
([)
-
:E
.E
-
10. PRIMITIVE : CRUDE ::
(A) Lrell : telephone
.E
E
.q
E
f,
I
o