Analogy is a comparison between two things, typically for explaining or clarifying something. In logical reasoning, analogies show relationships between pairs of words or concepts.
A : B :: C : D
This reads as: "A is to B as C is to D"
The relationship between A and B is the same as the relationship between C and D.
KNIFE : CUT :: BROOM : ?
| Word | Function |
|---|---|
| 🔪 Knife | Used to cut |
| 🧹 Broom | Used to sweep |
✅ Answer: SWEEP
TIGER : MAMMAL :: EAGLE : ?
| Word | Category |
|---|---|
| 🐅 Tiger | A type of mammal |
| 🦅 Eagle | A type of bird |
✅ Answer: BIRD
FINGER : HAND :: BRANCH : ?
| Part | Whole |
|---|---|
| 👆 Finger | Part of hand |
| 🌿 Branch | Part of tree |
✅ Answer: TREE
Focus on the PRIMARY relationship between the first pair. The strongest, most specific relationship is usually correct.
Classification: Analogies are categorized by the type of relationship they represent.
HAMMER : NAIL :: SCISSORS : ?
| Object | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 🔨 Hammer | Drives a nail |
| ✂️ Scissors | Cuts paper |
✅ Answer: CUT
APPLE : FRUIT :: CARROT : ?
| Item | Category |
|---|---|
| 🍎 Apple | A type of fruit |
| 🥕 Carrot | A type of vegetable |
✅ Answer: VEGETABLE
WHEEL : BICYCLE :: DOOR : ?
| Part | Whole |
|---|---|
| ⚙️ Wheel | Part of bicycle |
| 🚪 Door | Part of house |
✅ Answer: HOUSE
HEAT : EVAPORATION :: COLD : ?
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| 🔥 Heat | Causes evaporation |
| ❄️ Cold | Causes freezing |
✅ Answer: FREEZING
LIGHT : DARK :: HOT : ?
| Word | Opposite |
|---|---|
| 💡 Light | Opposite of dark |
| 🔥 Hot | Opposite of cold |
✅ Answer: COLD
HAPPY : JOYFUL :: ANGRY : ?
| Word | Synonym |
|---|---|
| 😊 Happy | Similar to joyful |
| 😠 Angry | Similar to furious |
✅ Answer: FURIOUS
TEACHER : SCHOOL :: DOCTOR : ?
| Professional | Workplace |
|---|---|
| 👨🏫 Teacher | Works in school |
| 👨⚕️ Doctor | Works in hospital |
✅ Answer: HOSPITAL
DRIZZLE : RAIN :: BREEZE : ?
| Lighter | Heavier |
|---|---|
| 🌦️ Drizzle | Lighter than rain |
| 🍃 Breeze | Lighter than wind |
✅ Answer: WIND
These 8 types cover most analogies. Quickly classify the type, then find the answer.
| # | Type | Example | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Object & Purpose | Hammer : Nail | Tool → Function |
| 2️⃣ | Category | Apple : Fruit | Item → Category |
| 3️⃣ | Part to Whole | Wheel : Bicycle | Part → Whole |
| 4️⃣ | Cause & Effect | Heat : Evaporation | Cause → Effect |
| 5️⃣ | Antonyms | Light : Dark | Word → Opposite |
| 6️⃣ | Synonyms | Happy : Joyful | Word → Similar |
| 7️⃣ | Worker & Workplace | Teacher : School | Professional → Location |
| 8️⃣ | Degree/Intensity | Drizzle : Rain | Lesser → Greater |
Strategy: Analyze the first pair, then apply that relationship to find the missing term.
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create a Sentence | Form a meaningful sentence connecting the first pair |
| 2 | Test with Options | Insert the third word and test each answer |
| 3 | Verify | Ensure the relationship works logically |
AUTHOR : BOOK :: DIRECTOR : ?
| Step | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Sentence | "An author writes/creates a book" |
| Apply | "A director creates/makes a ?" |
| Result | A director creates a film |
✅ Answer: FILM
LION : ROAR :: SNAKE : ?
| Step | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Sentence | "A lion produces a roar (sound)" |
| Apply | "A snake produces a ? (sound)" |
| Result | A snake produces a hiss |
✅ Answer: HISS
SURGEON : SCALPEL :: PAINTER : ?
| Step | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Sentence | "A surgeon uses a scalpel (tool)" |
| Apply | "A painter uses a ? (tool)" |
| Result | A painter uses a brush |
✅ Answer: BRUSH
Keep your sentence simple and specific. If multiple options fit, make it more specific.
Deep Meaning: Some analogies are based on meaning-based relationships that go beyond simple physical connections.
THERMOMETER : TEMPERATURE :: SCALE : ?
| Instrument | Measures |
|---|---|
| 🌡️ Thermometer | Measures temperature |
| ⚖️ Scale | Measures weight |
✅ Answer: WEIGHT
PIANO : MUSIC :: PAINTBRUSH : ?
| Tool | Creates |
|---|---|
| 🎹 Piano | Tool for creating music |
| 🖌️ Paintbrush | Tool for creating painting |
✅ Answer: PAINTING
SCHOOL : STUDENT :: HOSPITAL : ?
| Place | Person |
|---|---|
| 🏫 School | Students belong here |
| 🏥 Hospital | Patients belong here |
✅ Answer: PATIENT
STUDY : KNOWLEDGE :: PRACTICE : ?
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| 📖 Study | Leads to knowledge |
| 💪 Practice | Leads to skill |
✅ Answer: SKILL
HONEST : TRUTH :: DISHONEST : ?
| Attribute | Manifestation |
|---|---|
| ✅ Honest person | Tells truth |
| ❌ Dishonest person | Tells lies |
✅ Answer: LIES
Think about HOW concepts relate conceptually, not just physically.
Mastery: Combine all your knowledge to solve problems efficiently and accurately.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Read the analogy carefully |
| 2️⃣ | Ask: "What is the PRIMARY relationship?" |
| 3️⃣ | Discard secondary relationships |
| 4️⃣ | Look for the most SPECIFIC relationship |
Example: FLOWER : BEE 🌸🐝
| Quality | Sentence | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| ❌ Weak | "Bee and flower exist together" | Too vague |
| ✅ Better | "Bee visits flower" | More specific |
| ✅✅ Best | "Bee collects nectar from flower" | Most specific |
Rule: More specific = clearer relationship
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Take your sentence bridge |
| 2️⃣ | Replace (?) with each answer option |
| 3️⃣ | Eliminate options that don't fit |
| 4️⃣ | Choose the best match |
Bidirectional Relationships
Example: FATHER : SON 👨👦
| Direction | Sentence | Works? |
|---|---|---|
| ➡️ Forward | "Father has a son" | ✅ Yes |
| ⬅️ Reverse | "Son has a father" | ✅ Yes |
Both directions work = strong relationship
| Mistake | Wrong Approach ❌ | Right Approach ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choosing Loosely Related Words | "MOON and STAR both exist in sky" | Find SPECIFIC relationship |
| 2. Ignoring Word Form | Mixing nouns with adjectives | Maintain (Noun : Noun) or (Verb : Adjective) |
| 3. Overlooking Multiple Meanings | Only one meaning of ambiguous words | Consider all meanings in context |
If stuck between two answers, make your sentence MORE specific. The most specific relationship is usually correct.
| Option | Answer |
|---|---|
| A) | Book |
| B) | Court ✅ |
| C) | Case |
| D) | Law |
Explanation: Professional works in designated place. Doctor→hospital; Lawyer→court.
| Option | Answer |
|---|---|
| A) | Plant ✅ |
| B) | Fabric |
| C) | Thread |
| D) | Cloth |
Explanation: Material comes from source. Wool→sheep; Cotton→plant.
| Option | Answer |
|---|---|
| A) | Canvas |
| B) | Picture ✅ |
| C) | Color |
| D) | Brush |
Explanation: Action creates product. Sculpting→statue; Painting→picture.
| Option | Answer |
|---|---|
| A) | Adult |
| B) | Old ✅ |
| C) | Wise |
| D) | Weak |
Explanation: Adjective describes age stage. Juvenile→young; Senile→old.
| Option | Answer |
|---|---|
| A) | Wisdom |
| B) | Learning |
| C) | Knowledge ✅ |
| D) | Education |
Explanation: Direct opposites. Despair↔hope; Ignorance↔knowledge.
| # | Key Point | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Relationship First | Identify the EXACT relationship, not just any connection |
| 2️⃣ | Know 8 Types | Function, Category, Part-Whole, Cause-Effect, Opposites, Synonyms, Worker-Workplace, Degree |
| 3️⃣ | Test Your Answer | Verify the relationship holds for both pairs |
| 4️⃣ | Sentence Bridges | Form sentences connecting pairs to clarify relationships |
| 5️⃣ | Be Specific | The most specific relationship is usually correct |
| 6️⃣ | Avoid Mistakes | Don't choose loose connections; maintain word form; consider multiple meanings |
| 7️⃣ | Practice Regularly | Speed and accuracy improve with practice |
🎯 Identify Type → 🔍 Create Sentence → ✓ Test Options → ✅ Verify Answer
| Element | Good Practice ✅ | Bad Practice ❌ |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Most specific connection | Vague association |
| Sentence | "Bee collects nectar from flower" | "Bee and flower exist" |
| Word Form | Maintain consistency | Mix different forms |
| Testing | Check all options systematically | Rush to first answer |
| Verification | Test reversibility | Skip verification |
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